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DINKs on social media -

Thanks to TikTok, the term has taken off as DINK creators are posting videos about the perks of their lifestyle. The DINK hashtag has 247.1 million views on TikTok alone.

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What is DINK? -

DINK is when two people in a household are earning income, and they have no children who depend on them to support them. 

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Expenses spent on other things -

This means DINK couples can put more money toward financial goals like savings and spend more on non-essential expenses and luxuries. 

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When children are in the picture -

Costs associated with raising one or more children include food, clothing, long-term education, and more. 

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Costs of raising children -

On average, American parents spend around US$237,482 to raise a child up to the age of 18.

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Spend and save on them -

Without children, DINK couples can save or spend money that their counterparts are spending on raising children.

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DINK couples aren't necessarily rich -

However, DINK couples aren't necessarily rich by today's standards. They're just fully employed and childfree.

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Living space looks different -

A household without children would require less living space, which can also cut costs. 

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A space just for adults -

In other words, DINK couples wouldn't need to look for housing that includes bedrooms or playrooms for children.

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They can opt for smaller places -

That could allow them to rent or purchase less expensive homes with smaller spaces.

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Sharing goods and services -

Compared to singles, they also save money by sharing goods and services. For example, DINKs will share bills and groceries, and they typically share hotel rooms during their vacations.

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DINKs invest more -

With extra money, DINKs can often invest more than their counterparts with children or those who are single. 

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Investments -

The money that might have been spent on children could be put into stocks, bonds, or other investment vehicles.

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Increase earnings -

Investing even a few thousand dollars per year can potentially increase earnings even more.

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Types of DINKs -

There are several situations that can be considered dual-income, no kids. They include couples who choose not to have kids, or even empty nesters. 

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Couples who choose not to have kids -

For a variety of reasons, some couples choose not to have children. This makes them a DINK couple. 

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Couples who choose not to have kids -

Many simply don't want a lifestyle with children, while others have medical or financial reasons.

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Couples who can't have children -

Couples who want children but can't have children, including same-sex couples or couples struggling with infertility. 

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Couples who can't have children -

These couples often face difficult choices, as they may not be able to afford (or want) to pursue alternatives such as adoption, surrogacy, or in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

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New couples -

New couples living together may have children one day, but until then they can enjoy a DINK lifestyle.

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New couples -

At this stage in their lives, they may be saving for major purchase milestones like buying a home or car. 

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New couples -

Some may also be saving money to prepare for the cost of raising children.

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Empty nesters -

After the children are grown and moved out, couples may become part of the DINK demographic again. 

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Empty nesters -

These couples may find they have extra money in their budget, which they once spent on kids. Plus, they might gain funds by downsizing their home. 

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Empty nesters -

Empty nesters often change their financial focus from supporting their children to saving more for retirement.

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Other types of DINK households -

If two adult household members are earning an income, and they have no children, it would be considered a DINK situation. According to the US Census Bureau definition, a household is generally considered a situation in which members share living quarters, whether they're related or not.

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Other types of DINK households -

Therefore, roommates living together or an adult child living with a parent would likely be considered DINK households too. 

Sources: (Forbes) (CNBC) (Business Insider) (Investopedia) 

See also: Age gaps in relationships: how much is too much?

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