Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Childcare is one of the biggest financial decisions families face - but what does childcare actually cost? In this episode of Family Money, Lindsey Stanberry talks with economist Corinne Low and personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi about the real cost of daycare, nannies, nanny shares, au pairs, in-home care, and family help.
They break down why childcare costs have risen, how to think about childcare as an investment in your career and family, what financial mistakes parents should avoid, and how to plan for the “childcare squeeze” without letting short-term costs derail long-term goals.
Follow Family Money on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/033o8jfQ9XZyie5P8TPpHy?si=00221a9e8f9e4b7f
Follow Family Money on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-money/id1896826154
Host: Lindsey Stanberry
Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor and founder of The Purse
instagram.com/read_thepurse/?hl=en
Guest: Corinne Low
Associate Professor at The Wharton School and author of Having It All
instagram.com/corinnelowphd
Guest: Farnoosh Torabi
Personal Financial Expert
instagram.com/farnooshtorabi
Chapters
00:00 Why childcare feels so expensive
01:37 Why childcare costs keep rising
03:05 Childcare deserts and limited options
04:03 Planning for multiple kids
05:00 Why quitting work may be the wrong math
06:51 The “childcare squeeze”
07:04 Childcare as an investment
08:24 Farnoosh Torabi joins
08:55 Daycare centers and in-home daycare costs
09:40 Nannies, nanny shares, and au pairs
12:13 Questions to ask a daycare provider
12:50 Hiring a nanny and payroll basics
15:26 Dependent care FSA explained
16:22 Common childcare money mistakes
18:47 Why childcare is a household expense
21:23 Balancing cost and flexibility
22:57 Parental leave and childcare planning
24:13 Ways to save on childcare
26:48 Childcare is temporary
27:33 Rebuilding your family budget
28:55 Final thoughts
—
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.
Childcare is one of the biggest financial decisions families face - but what does childcare actually cost? In this episode of Family Money, Lindsey Stanberry talks with economist Corinne Low and personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi about the real cost of daycare, nannies, nanny shares, au pairs, in-home care, and family help.
They break down why childcare costs have risen, how to think about childcare as an investment in your career and family, what financial mistakes parents should avoid, and how to plan for the “childcare squeeze” without letting short-term costs derail long-term goals.
Follow Family Money on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/033o8jfQ9XZyie5P8TPpHy?si=00221a9e8f9e4b7f
Follow Family Money on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-money/id1896826154
Host: Lindsey Stanberry
Babylist’s Family Finance Advisor and founder of The Purse
instagram.com/read_thepurse/?hl=en
Guest: Corinne Low
Associate Professor at The Wharton School and author of Having It All
instagram.com/corinnelowphd
Guest: Farnoosh Torabi
Personal Financial Expert
instagram.com/farnooshtorabi
Chapters
00:00 Why childcare feels so expensive
01:37 Why childcare costs keep rising
03:05 Childcare deserts and limited options
04:03 Planning for multiple kids
05:00 Why quitting work may be the wrong math
06:51 The “childcare squeeze”
07:04 Childcare as an investment
08:24 Farnoosh Torabi joins
08:55 Daycare centers and in-home daycare costs
09:40 Nannies, nanny shares, and au pairs
12:13 Questions to ask a daycare provider
12:50 Hiring a nanny and payroll basics
15:26 Dependent care FSA explained
16:22 Common childcare money mistakes
18:47 Why childcare is a household expense
21:23 Balancing cost and flexibility
22:57 Parental leave and childcare planning
24:13 Ways to save on childcare
26:48 Childcare is temporary
27:33 Rebuilding your family budget
28:55 Final thoughts
—
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.
