DINKs Are Creating Their Own American Dream

What Are DINKs?

DINKs — or couples with double incomes and no kids — are louder and prouder than ever.

As high costs are leading other groups to struggle with their finances, DINKS often have more wriggle room in their budgets.

With no need to pay for daycare, extra food, and other costs normally associated with having children, DINKs often have extra room in their budgets to pursue hobbies or invest.

Now, with the social stigma of not having kids a thing of the past, the DINK lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular and attractive among some Americans.

The DINK Dream

DINKs have carved out a niche on social media. Reddit forums dedicated to their lifestyle have millions of members, and TikTok videos singing its praises regularly net millions of views. So does content related to sub-niches like “rich aunties” and “DINKWADs” — DINKs with dogs.

And the evidence isn’t just anecdotal. Studies suggest Americans are increasingly choosing not to have children, in some cases because of the sheer cost of it all, including care costs that outpace inflation. In 2021, 44% of childless Americans aged 18 to 49 said they were “not likely” to have kids, according to a Pew Research Center survey , up from 37% in a 2018 study.

It’s perhaps not surprising then that the median child-free couple was able to amass a median net worth of $399,000 in 2022, nearly $150,000 more than the median couple with kids, according to data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances.

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