I agree with debaser. For short term this is ok if you want to live a simple life (not saving for retirement, a savings for emergencies medical or financial, or children's education etc.) then 5000 is ok.

But life happens, and when it does it's very very expensive. What happens when you get into a scooter/car accident? You Laptop/cellphone is stolen? What happens when you kid needs new clothes?

I may be wrong, but it seems irresponsible financially to not save for the things listed above. Again that is only my view

If I read the OP correctly, this 5000 is the budget for food, ents, and transport.

The rent would not be part of this budget, and I think it safe to assume that rainy day, and large purchases are also not part of this budget.

the OP has a 12,000 (minimum) rent budget, so clearly money isn't tight

Rich guy,surely you could enjoy here.

I want to make clear too, that while we try to keep our monthly spending at 3000, that is a means to guarantee that rest of our income goes to savings.

I see, I misunderstood the OP. 12,000 is a reasonable salary

nobody said anything about salary

The OP has another thread running here www.gokunming.com/[...]
Accomodation budget (not salary) is 12-18k/m.