Kids are an expense that fewer and fewer people believe they can afford.

The reality is that even the thriftiest of parents endure a lot of extra expenses when they choose to bring a new person or several into the world. Having children is one of the ultimate financial investments, and there are no guarantees that it will pay off. Some claim that they did everything right, and yet their adult kids still don’t speak to them. There have been studies that suggest up to a quarter of millennials and Gen Z have made the choice not to have kids because they are worried about money. It cannot be denied that the soaring cost of living only makes this daunting decision all the more anxiety-inducing. 

At the same time, millions of people have babies without a big pile of money to support them, and they somehow make it work. Also, a lucky minority of those who stress about whether they can afford children really have no business doing so when you take a look at their bank accounts. For some prospective parents, it is not a matter of covering their basic needs, but making sure they can maintain a certain lifestyle for every member of the family.