How much does having children affect net wealth? "You're so lucky you don't have to pay for childcare." "I bet you're glad you don't have to pay for [baby car seats] [nappies] [gynecologists]." "I could retire like you if it weren't for the kids." Yours truly is tired of the assumption that his wealth is due to being child-free. Although children imply expense, they do not as such prevent saving. And yet, the sheer weight behind the 'children are expensive' narrative stifles me. The latest beat-up on spiraling costs is this News Corp piece in which the authors bemoan breaking proof that child-rearing in Australia is costlier than in even America. Parenting dreams shattered. Children out of reach. Oh boo hoo.
I try to write something smart twice a month.