# Dual Income, No Kids (DINK): Definition and Types of Households

![Dual Income, No Kids (DINK): A household with two incomes and no children.](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/kUyHEsmWBFFlCp9Jhbi72nhxJKw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dinks.asp-final-0449d972df3f4d2e8ccf7d3778bf81b8.png)

*— Investopedia / Julie Bang*

> **Definition**
>
> "Dual income, no kids" (DINK) refers to a household where two adults earn incomes without having children, often resulting in higher disposable income and fewer expenses than families with children.

## What Is Dual Income, No Kids (DINK)?

"Dual income, no kids" (DINK) is a slang phrase for a household in which there are two people earning [incomes](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/income.asp) but no dependent children. Couples in DINK household often have more [disposable income](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disposableincome.asp) because they do not have the added expenses that comes with raising children.  

This extra money allows for more flexibility in savings, investments, and discretionary spending, such as vacations and luxury goods/ They also often spend less per person on housing than singles because of their ability to share kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.

For comparison, consider the opposite scenario—[dual income with kids (DEWK)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dewks.asp), where both partners work while raising children. The financial dynamics differ significantly between the two living arrangements.

### Key Takeaways

*   "Dual income, no kids" (DINK) is a slang phrase for a household in which there are two incomes and no children.
*   DINKs are often targets of marketing efforts for investment products and luxury items because they usually have higher disposable incomes.
*   There are several types of dual-income no kids situations, including new couples, empty nesters, and other childless couples.

## Understanding Dual Income, No Kids (DINK)

When two people in a household are earning income and they have no children who depend on them to support them, they can put more money toward financial goals like [savings](https://www.investopedia.com/best-high-yield-savings-accounts-4770633). They will also have more disposable income that will give them the ability to spend more on non-necessary expenses.

Costs associated with raising one or more children include food, clothing, and long-term education, and more. The average middle income family will pay $310,605 to raise a child born in 2015 to age 17, according to a Brookings Institution study. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that will be $233,610, however this estimate does not account for inflation. Of course, the exact cost to raise a child will vary significantly from family to family.

While DINKs may not necessarily be wealthy, they often have a more discretionary income than families with children, allowing them to save more, invest, and enjoy a higher quality of life. As a result, DINKs are often targets of [marketing](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketing.asp) efforts for investment products and [luxury items](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/luxury-item.asp), such as expensive cars and vacations. They also tend to spend less on housing than singles, as the shared living spaces lower overall costs.  

> **Important**
>
> Sharing financial resources gives DINKs more disposable income than singles as well as couples that are married with children.

DINKs can often invest more than their counterparts with children or who are single. The money that might have been spent on children could be put into [stocks](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stock.asp), [bonds](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond.asp), or other investment vehicles. Investing even a few thousand dollars per year can potentially increase earnings even more.

## Types of DINK Households

There are several situations that can be considered "dual-income, no kids." They include couples who choose not to have kids, those who cannot have kids, new couples, empty nesters, roommates, and adult child and parent living arrangements.

### Couples Who Choose Not to Have Children

Some couples make a conscious decision to remain child-free, whether for lifestyle preferences, financial reasons, or health-related concerns. These couples enjoy the financial benefits of having two incomes without the significant expenses associated with raising children.

### Couples Who Cannot Have Children

[LGBTQA+ couples](https://www.investopedia.com/the-costs-of-lgbtq-family-planning-5180217) or couples who desire children but face medical challenges that prevent them from having them (such as infertility or other health issues) may also find themselves in a DINK situation. However, they face additional costs associated with [fertility treatments](https://www.investopedia.com/financial-assistance-for-family-planning-6537614) or adoption if they choose those paths, as the [cost of adoption](https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-pay-for-adoption-5409336) can run up to $50,000 or more. And the average cost of one In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle as of 2023 is $21,600, according to Carrot Fertility.

### New Couples

Couples just starting their life together, whether they are [newlyweds](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/030716/managing-money-couple.asp) or partners who’ve recently moved in together, can also be part of the DINK demographic. While they may eventually have children, during the early stages of their relationship, they have the financial freedom of a dual-income household without the added expense of children.

At this stage in their lives they may be saving for major purchase milestones like [buying a home](https://www.investopedia.com/updates/first-time-home-buyer/) or buying a car. They may be saving for a wedding or carrying debt from paying for one. They also may be saving money to prepare for the cost of raising children.

### Empty Nesters

After the children have grown up and moved out, couples may become part of the dual income, no kids demographic again. They may find they have extra money in their budget that they once spent on kids. They might also gain funds by selling their house and [downsizing](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/downsize.asp).

Empty nesters often change their financial focus from supporting their children to [saving more for retirement](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/051613/how-start-saving-retirement.asp). If they already have substantial savings, it could be time to start taking more vacations before the couple gets too old to enjoy them. Unlike new couples, empty nesters are likely not concerned with saving to buy their first house or car.

### Other Types of DINK Households

If two adult household members are earning income and they have no children, they would be considered a "dual income, no kids" situation. A household is generally considered a situation in which members share living quarters, whether they are related or not, according to the U.S Census Bureau definition.

So, roommates living together or an adult child living with a parent would likely be considered a household. However, residents living together in an apartment building would not be considered a household because they are living in separate quarters.  

## What Is a DINK Lifestyle?

A DINK (dual income, no kids) lifestyle is generally perceived as having more time and financial means to fund non-necessary expenses such as on eating out at restaurants or entertainment. Households with more income and without the expenses associated with having children tend to have more disposable income. [Dual income, no kids households](https://www.investopedia.com/child-free-retirement-strategy-11757082) can often [save more for retirement](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/050814/common-retirement-advice-dinks-can-ignore.asp) than their counterparts who have children.

## How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child to 18 in America?

The [cost to raise a child](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/090415/cost-raising-child-america.asp) is increasing along with inflation. Estimates vary on the exact cost, but it will likely cost roughly between $200,000 and $300,000. According to a Brookings Institution study, the average middle income family will pay $310,605 to raise a child born in 2015 to age 17. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that cost to be $233,610.

## What Is a Dual Income Household?

A dual income household is one in which two adults are earning money and sharing their financial resources. They also share responsibilities for expenses. This financial situation often results in more [disposable income](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/discretionaryincome.asp) they can use for spending or saving more.

## The Bottom Line

"Dual income, no kids" (DINK) households are a diverse group that includes couples who choose not to have children, those who are unable to have children, and other variations like roommates or adult child-parent households. The absence of children’s financial burdens provides DINKs with more disposable income to save, invest, or enjoy leisure activities. As a result, they are often a primary target for marketers offering luxury goods and services.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Brown Brothers Harriman. "[Dual Income, No Kids: Learing About DINKs and the DINK Lifestyle](https://www.bbh.com/us/en/insights/private-banking-insights/dual-income-no-kids-learning-about-dinks-and-the-dink-lifestyle.html)."
>     
> 2.  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. “[2015 Expenditures on Children by Families: Parents Projected to Spend $233,610 to Raise a Child Born in 2015](https://www.fns.usda.gov/resource/2015-expenditures-children-families)."
>     
> 3.  Brookings Institution. “[It’s Getting More Expensive to Raise Children. And Government Isn’t Doing Much to Help](https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2022/08/30/its-getting-more-expensive-to-raise-children-and-government-isnt-doing-much-to-help/)."
>     
> 4.  Pew Research Center. "[Growing Share of Childless Adults in U.S. Don’t Expect to Ever Have Children](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/)."
>     
> 5.  Child Welfare Information Gateway. "[Planning for Adoption: Knowing the Costs and Resources](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HE23_1200-PURL-gpo212419/pdf/GOVPUB-HE23_1200-PURL-gpo212419.pdf)."
>     
> 6.  Carrot Fertility. "[IVF cost: Understanding the expenses of in vitro fertilization](https://www.get-carrot.com/blog/ivf-cost-understanding-the-expenses-of-in-vitro-fertilization)."
>     
> 7.  U.S. Census Bureau. "[Households and Persons Per Household](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/HSD410221)."