Mister B.
The Devil’s Greatest Advocate…..
DINK: Living the Dual Income No Kids Lifestyle
“Dual income, no kids” (DINK) is a slang phrase for households where couples have two incomes and no children. Let’s explore the DINK lifestyle and what it means for finances.
www.sofi.com
Why are More Couples Choosing the DINK Life?
One of the main reasons couples are choosing to wait or forego having children is financial. When the Great Recession hit in 2009, a lot of Millenials were just graduating from college or starting their careers.
The recession made it challenging to get jobs and begin investing for the future. Gen Xers lost 45% of their wealth during this time. On top of recovering from the recession, nearly half of Millenials and a third of Gen Xers have a significant amount of student loan debt.
These factors have made it difficult for young people to achieve financial milestones and start families.
Some couples choose to wait a few years before having kids after they get married. They can use this time to travel, make financial and life plans, and enjoy married life as a couple.
Dual Income, No Kids: Pros & Cons of the DINK Lifestyle
Whether you’re a new couple or empty nesters, the “dual income, no kids” lifestyle has plenty of pros and cons to consider. Learn more about DINK here.
www.meetbreeze.com
Pros of the DINK Lifestyle
The DINK lifestyle definitely has its benefits. They include:
Plenty of free time
DINK couples don’t have to put Little League games, dance recitals, PTA meetings, or orthodontist visits on their schedules. When the workday ends, their time is their own. They are free to go to the gym, take in a movie, or grab a meal at their favorite restaurant. And they can stay out as late as they want, with no worries about paying the babysitter.
Extra money
According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610. A couple with two children would have over $460,000 in child-rearing expenses. Without kids, that same couple could enjoy that money in whatever manner they wish. While some of it should go towards investing for the future, some of it could be spent on indulgences like fine dining, first-class travel, the latest luxury or sports car, or an expensive condo coupled with a lavish lifestyle.
More years to bond as a couple
Once kids arrive on the scene, the dynamics between a couple can change. Getting to know each other at a deeper level through intimate dinner conversations is replaced with talking about the kids and their needs. Seemingly, years can go by with little time spent alone together, except for the occasional night out or the rare vacation as a couple.
DINK couples have only themselves and their relationship to worry about. They can take many more trips together by themselves. A day spent hiking together can be decided upon at a moment’s notice, without having to worry about child care. They can enjoy many more experiences as a couple, creating more memories and bringing them closer together faster.
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Thoughts? Cause I have some.
The first being: why do people think it's a bad thing to be married without children? What norm is everyone stuck in?
