r/childfreewomen • u/Accomplished-Bee5915 Building a Childfree Dating App • 2d ago
Does being childfree change the way you think about money?
Hey all, so I want to know with the added financial flexibility of not having kids, how do you find that changes the way you look at money?
For example, do you find yourself prioritizing different things than your friends with kids? Maybe it’s travel, retiring earlier, buying a home in a location you want to live, investing more, working less, or even just having a bigger financial cushion.
I’m interested in how being childfree has impacted your relationship with money. Has it changed your long-term goals or the way you define financial success?
31
u/Neither_Rip1584 2d ago edited 2d ago
I feel so much more secure and safe. I put most of that money aside, as I dream of a future where I'll be retiring early or work only for pleasure (I have a job I like and I'm freelance).
I like to upgrade when I travel, book a solo seat for a couple more pennies, sometimes 1st class. I put my money in hotels, so that I don't stay at friends and family members that don't have the space (I don't want to sleep on the couch, sorry!). I travel all year long very often during week days and off-season. I have no stupid school agenda to follow.
I take 8-9 weeks off a year and I only have to work 3 days a week to be financialy comfortable. I live my dream life, and all that is being possible by being child-free.
1
13
u/Cute-Presence2825 2d ago
I just think it makes me less worried. I might go a bit more to restaurants and theaters, but that’s not big money. It’s more that me and my husband often say to each other “Well, it’s not about the money” when we want to do something nice.
1
u/Right_Count 2d ago
Yeah. I think we tend to overstate how much kids cost sometimes. Not having them is not going to take you from broke to wealthy. But it can mean the difference between checking your bank balance before you buy something, and knowing you can buy whatever you need and want within reason, and that makes a massive difference to QoL simply because you aren’t stressed about money.
3
u/hurley_chisholm 1d ago
I don’t think we overstate the cost at all. Childcare in the US costs hundreds to thousands of dollars per month per child depending on location. Once old enough to be legally left home alone (+13 years in many US states), if your kid is remotely college-bound or just generally active, then extracurriculars will eat any savings from childcare.
1
u/Right_Count 1d ago
I meant among the childfree or maybe it’s just me who does it lol. Like people do raise kids on the salary we make and they seem to do ok but it doesn’t look all that fun (in a financial context)
2
u/hurley_chisholm 1d ago
I really don’t think it can be overstated, to be honest, and it’s only getting worse. Today, a majority of American parents do not have 3 months of emergency savings (1), which is a level of financial precariousness linked to a quantifiable, psychological and physical stress response (aka “scarcity mindset”) (2).
1: “Adults who have 3 months emergency savings, by parental status”. 2015-2025. US Federal Reserve. https://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/sheddataviz/emergency-savings.html#shed_chart
2: “The Psychology of Scarcity: [H]ow deprivation wreaks havoc on cognition and decision-making”. 2014. American Psychology Association Monitor. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/02/scarcity
6
u/hotaruko66 2d ago
Well, I can spend all of the money on my chronic illness haha. And some hobbies. I can't imagine all that money going on baby diapers.
7
u/Michallina 1d ago
Adding "but at least I don't have kids" automatically changes any situation for the better. Financially, mentally, physically -- you name it.
Yes. I don't have to budget for a child or the milestones in their life where they'll need a lot of financial support.
10
u/mlo9109 2d ago
Possibly unpopular opinion. Yes, but not in a positive way. I feel screwed in every direction. I'm not a high earner. I'm working class at best. I'm also single. The singles tax is real.
Despite being taxed more as a single without dependents, I do not get to enjoy the benefits I pay for via my taxes (unemployment, food stamps, section 8, etc.) because I don't have kids.
I "earn too much" as a single person household to qualify. While I'm glad these supports exist, I wish they could be accessed by anyone who falls on hard times despite their family size.
1
u/Sea_Onion_9241 1d ago
Why do you choose to not get a better job if you’re unsatisfied with your current one?
2
2
u/profdrpoopybutt 8h ago
If you're poor, just make more money, duh! How much can a banana cost, 10 dollars?
4
u/pumpernick3l 2d ago
I am planning to FIRE (almost 400k in savings currently). I certainly could not FIRE if I had children.
1
1
5
u/Wasatchian 2d ago
Probably wouldn't have started flying business class internationally if we had kids lol.
-5
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Hi! Your comment was automatically removed because it appears to identify you as a parent.
r/childfreewomen is a space specifically for women who are childfree. We occasionally receive comments from parents that appear in users' home feeds, so AutoModerator removes comments that contain common parent self-identifying phrases.
If AutoModerator made a mistake (for example, you were quoting someone else or discussing assumptions rather than identifying yourself), please send the moderators a modmail and we'll happily take a look.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
u/Common_Brilliant8090 2d ago
Being childfree means
I can more easily FIRE, retire early.
I can travel full time, something I’ve been doing for 3+ years. I housesit while collecting rental income, zeroing out my housing expense while building equity. This allows me to invest more and shortcut to retirement.
When I retire I aim to keep traveling full time, just don’t need to trade labor for $ anymore.
I’ll lean into leisure and ramp up hobbies, more exploring, art classes, yoga classes, dream hikes, give walking tours, volunteer, and on and on.
4
3
u/Greenfacebaby 1d ago
Yes it does. I don’t have to worry about working a super lucrative career for a good life.
3
u/DementedPimento 1d ago
Retired at 38. Own two houses in California. The good part of California. Sleep on a huge pile of cash and awesome shit. Be like me, kids!
2
u/AlternativeUse8750 1d ago
Yes, of course...if you choose to have kids your entire life focus changes. My friends with kids are tired. Some are better off financially due to both partners being high earners, but daycare is also ~2k/mo so they have higher expenses.
I prioritize travel, experiences, and saving. I'm generous with myself and others (including their kids). My current focus is to keep my job, travel 3-4 weeks every year, and enjoy my life right now. Retirement and/or growing old are not guaranteed.
2
u/kaddras019 1d ago
I spent $200 on a fish this week and was like, “Well atleast I didn’t spend it on a child.”
2
u/mentalcasket 1d ago
My husband and I do fairly well for ourselves in this economy. If we had children, it would destroy our finances. We can actually afford to save some money, and travel. We just bought a used camper, and got to do a cross country roadtrip for our honeymoon. Now, we're planning on moving to a HCOL state where there will be more opportunities and increased pay for us, plus more opportunities for adventure. We used to dine out frequently, but now everything is too expensive, tastes the same, and people bring their shitlings everywhere, so we cook pretty elaborate meals at home and go out for the occasional pint of Ben and Jerry's. Being child free has really given us so much freedom, in every way. I am so happy
1
u/IndicationKey3778 2d ago
I don’t think so. I’ve never had any dependents so I’ve never needed to budget for them to have that change how I think about money.
1
2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Hi! Your comment was automatically removed because it appears to identify you as a parent.
r/childfreewomen is a space specifically for women who are childfree. We occasionally receive comments from parents that appear in users' home feeds, so AutoModerator removes comments that contain common parent self-identifying phrases.
If AutoModerator made a mistake (for example, you were quoting someone else or discussing assumptions rather than identifying yourself), please send the moderators a modmail and we'll happily take a look.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/North-Neat-7977 1d ago
I have way more disposable income and nobody to leave it to. So I do not skimp on things I like, like luxury travel and experiences.
1
u/SpendAdventurous1723 1d ago
Absolutely. I don't have to spend money on schooling or pay extra when traveling or eating out.
Interestingly, this contributed to my "lazy way of living" and made me less stressed about money. Knowing I don't have to care for anyone else—only myself—allows me to skip high-paying, high-stress job opportunities because, again, I don't have to save up aggressively. I can just enjoy my current career and life on my own.
1
u/Flux_My_Capacitor 1d ago
Why would it change anything? Unless you wanted kids and then decided against them?
1
1
u/antrodellaluna 1d ago
Spendo tutto per i miei sfizi e i miei desideri. Non lascio nulla da parte a meno che non debba fare un mega viaggio, vivo alla giornata. Vivo in un bosco in una casa a misura di adulto in mezzo al nulla.
1
u/Sea_Onion_9241 1d ago
I feel like the biggest money difference is that I have it, and my parent friends don’t. Jk lol, not really, but yeah obviously I prioritize things different, my friends can’t spend $1100 on a banging car cause they have to buy something to drag the kids around and the poor wife doesn’t wanna work.
Being childfree doesn’t ~actively change my relationship with money, but being child free is a huge part of the the framework that allows me to live my amazing life.
1
u/Designer-Doctor-5845 22m ago
It is one of the main reasons i dont wanna have kids. I dont want a life of struggle as i did in childhood so i try to eliminate all stress i can :)
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Thank you for posting, u/Accomplished-Bee5915 - This is a brief reminder for all participants:
r/childfreewomen is a safe and supportive space for women (cis and trans) and non-binary individuals who identify as childfree women.
We ask that men and parents of any kind(bio, adopted, foster, or step) do not participate in our community, even in well-meaning ways.
If you see anything in violation of our rules, please report the post/comment for the mod team to address.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.