Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Are kids more expensive than ever? In the first episode of Family Money, Lindsey Stanberry, Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor, tackles one of the biggest questions parents and future parents ask: how much does it really cost to raise kids today?
Lindsey talks with Wharton economist Corinne Low about why raising children has become more expensive - not just in dollars, but in time, career tradeoffs, childcare costs, and the pressure to “invest” in your child’s future. Corinne explains why today’s parents spend more time and money on kids than previous generations, how childcare affects family finances and women’s careers, and why the most expensive years of parenting may be more temporary than they feel.
Then, writer and mom of three Amil Niazi joins to talk about the real-life choices families make to afford kids: skipping the bigger house, avoiding unnecessary baby gear, buying secondhand, borrowing from other parents, budgeting around childcare, and remembering that kids don’t need everything to be happy.
Because here’s the truth: kids will flip your finances upside down. And they’re worth every penny.
Family Money is here for real conversations about how parents are making it work - and how you can too.
Chapters:
00:00 Are kids more expensive than ever?
01:07 Why raising kids costs more now
02:23 Why parenting takes more time today
03:35 Two-income households and childcare costs
05:31 The “squeeze” years for parents
06:28 Should families plan around childcare costs?
07:38 Travel sports, activities, and parenting pressure
10:08 Reframing the cost of kids as an investment
13:03 How to have kids without overspending
13:38 Do you need a bigger house or car?
15:42 What baby gear do you actually need?
17:05 Hand-me-downs, borrowing, and secondhand baby gear
19:01 Why first-time parents overspend
21:57 Budgeting for the kind of family life you want
23:01 Childcare, work, and realistic planning
24:27 Why parents shouldn’t forget themselves
25:45 The joy of parenting without overcomplicating it
Follow Family Money on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/033o8jfQ9XZyie5P8TPpHy?si=00221a9e8f9e4b7f
Lindsey Stanberry:
Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor and founder of The Purse
instagram.com/read_thepurse/?hl=en
Corinne Low:
Associate Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at The Wharton School and author of Having It All
instagram.com/corinnelowphd
Amil Niazi:
Writer, producer, and author of Life After Ambition
instagram.com/amilniazi
—
Create your baby registry and get our free Hello Baby Box: bit.ly/babylist-registry
Discover more stroller reviews and comparisons: babylist.com/hello-baby/gear
Subscribe: youtube.com/c/Babylist-Videos?sub_confirmation=1
—
Babies are too tiny to use social media, but we aren't!
Instagram: instagram.com/babylist
TikTok: tiktok.com/@babylist
Facebook: facebook.com/babylist
Twitter: twitter.com/babylist
Pinterest: pinterest.com/babylist
**This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Are kids more expensive than ever? In the first episode of Family Money, Lindsey Stanberry, Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor, tackles one of the biggest questions parents and future parents ask: how much does it really cost to raise kids today?
Lindsey talks with Wharton economist Corinne Low about why raising children has become more expensive - not just in dollars, but in time, career tradeoffs, childcare costs, and the pressure to “invest” in your child’s future. Corinne explains why today’s parents spend more time and money on kids than previous generations, how childcare affects family finances and women’s careers, and why the most expensive years of parenting may be more temporary than they feel.
Then, writer and mom of three Amil Niazi joins to talk about the real-life choices families make to afford kids: skipping the bigger house, avoiding unnecessary baby gear, buying secondhand, borrowing from other parents, budgeting around childcare, and remembering that kids don’t need everything to be happy.
Because here’s the truth: kids will flip your finances upside down. And they’re worth every penny.
Family Money is here for real conversations about how parents are making it work - and how you can too.
Chapters:
00:00 Are kids more expensive than ever?
01:07 Why raising kids costs more now
02:23 Why parenting takes more time today
03:35 Two-income households and childcare costs
05:31 The “squeeze” years for parents
06:28 Should families plan around childcare costs?
07:38 Travel sports, activities, and parenting pressure
10:08 Reframing the cost of kids as an investment
13:03 How to have kids without overspending
13:38 Do you need a bigger house or car?
15:42 What baby gear do you actually need?
17:05 Hand-me-downs, borrowing, and secondhand baby gear
19:01 Why first-time parents overspend
21:57 Budgeting for the kind of family life you want
23:01 Childcare, work, and realistic planning
24:27 Why parents shouldn’t forget themselves
25:45 The joy of parenting without overcomplicating it
Follow Family Money on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/033o8jfQ9XZyie5P8TPpHy?si=00221a9e8f9e4b7f
Lindsey Stanberry:
Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor and founder of The Purse
instagram.com/read_thepurse/?hl=en
Corinne Low:
Associate Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at The Wharton School and author of Having It All
instagram.com/corinnelowphd
Amil Niazi:
Writer, producer, and author of Life After Ambition
instagram.com/amilniazi
—
Create your baby registry and get our free Hello Baby Box: bit.ly/babylist-registry
Discover more stroller reviews and comparisons: babylist.com/hello-baby/gear
Subscribe: youtube.com/c/Babylist-Videos?sub_confirmation=1
—
Babies are too tiny to use social media, but we aren't!
Instagram: instagram.com/babylist
TikTok: tiktok.com/@babylist
Facebook: facebook.com/babylist
Twitter: twitter.com/babylist
Pinterest: pinterest.com/babylist
**This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
