# Can You Afford Kids AND Retire Early? Be Intentional When Having Kids.

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-money-heroes-7145296/can-you-afford-kids-and-retire-early-be-intentional-when-having-kids
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-money-heroes-7145296/can-you-afford-kids-and-retire-early-be-intentional-when-having-kids.md
Podcast: [Everyday Money Heroes](https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-money-heroes-7145296)
Published: 2025-10-17T22:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nik-johnson60/episodes/Can-You-Afford-Kids-AND-Retire-Early--Be-Intentional-When-Having-Kids-e39l8n2
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/f015f748/podcast/play/109797538/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-9-17%2F81669ffc-a56e-e3f8-aa56-b69d28d0e1cb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/everyday-money-heroes-7145296/episodes/can-you-afford-kids-and-retire-early-be-intentional-when-having-kids
Duration seconds: 906

## Resource

Want to grow your family without wrecking your finances? In this episode of *Everyday Money Heroes*, host **Nik Johnson** breaks down one of the most overlooked parts of financial independence—**family planning**. Whether you’re planning for your first child or expanding your family, this video will show you how to make intentional financial decisions that protect your long-term goals and keep you on track toward **financial freedom**.Family planning isn’t just about deciding *when* to have kids—it’s about being strategic with your **budget, debt, and income** before taking that step. Nik reveals eye-opening data from **Northwestern Mutual** showing that it costs an average of **$320,000 to raise a child from birth to 18**, and that child care alone can cost over **$1,400 per month** for infants. By understanding these costs early, families can **avoid financial stress** and make better choices about when and how to expand their households.Nik also dives into the often-overlooked topic of **child support**, explaining how average payments can impact financial goals and why being intentional in relationships and planning is key. He shares actionable strategies for **reducing child care costs**—including **dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA)**, **nanny shares**, **staggered work schedules**, and **family-based support systems**. These methods can help parents stay financially stable while still providing quality care for their children.The message throughout the video is clear: **intentionality leads to independence.** Financial independence isn’t just about investing in a 401(k) or paying off debt—it’s about making every decision, including family-related ones, with purpose and foresight. As Nik emphasizes, “We don’t want life to just happen to us; we want…

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## Transcript

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