Financial Planning for Childfree Couples and Singles: Living Boldly and Budgeting for Adventure

Let’s be honest. We live in a pro-natal society. Consciously and unconsciously, the lens we adopt when considering what the world needs- and what we need as individuals and in relationships-  focuses on ‘the next generation’.

And that is so important. I’m 110% pro maternity/paternity leave, quality childcare, and all that good stuff that most successful and happy societies have built into their systems. I’m a childfree person myself, and I appreciate how vital good-quality options for parents (especially womenfolk) make every community a much better place.

But it makes it hard when you’ve chosen not to have children to find information, role models and advice on how to live your life in the most interesting, meaningful and joyful ways.

And nowhere is this clearer than in financial advice.

I’m an online counsellor and relationship coach. Recently a couple who are in their 70’s told me they had been getting their finances in order with a financial planner. They have two children who are in their late 40’s and don’t have children of their own- so no grandchildren. The financial planner just couldn’t fathom it. He kept insisting they ‘might’ change their minds, that there ‘might’ be grandchildren one day and kept pressuring them to put money aside for these non-existent little ones.

Eventually the couple had to put their foot down and insist. Any financial legacy will end with their adult children. They needed the rest of their money for themselves! The whole experience left them feeling drained and stressed. As people who’d never pressured their children to reproduce, they even began to feel there might be something wrong with them.

This made me wonder if that attitude was common. Researching general financial advice uncovers that it is. Saving and/or investing loads of money, buying property, working full-time etc… most advice that we don’t even question is based around the idea that you’ll have dependents who not only cost a significant fortune as they’re growing up, but require a hefty inheritance one day.

What if you take kids out of the equation?

Jay Zigmont is a childfree financial advisor, and I discovered that the information he shares on his website veers quite radically from the traditional. He invites folks who don’t have children (by choice or circumstance) to give themselves a ‘sense of permission to live differently’. I’ve expanded on a few of his most thought-provoking ideas to open a sense of playfulness in financial planning for childfree folks.

For childfree couples and singles, financial planning isn’t about saving for school fees or passing down a legacy. There’s more possibility to design a life full of adventure, creativity, and meaningful experiences.

Without the expenses and obligations tied to raising children, childfree people have unique freedom to spend, save, and invest in ways that align with their passions and dreams. They may also be able to take more risks.

But living boldly doesn’t have to mean spending recklessly. It’s about making smart choices that fuel your lifestyle while keeping the door open for your next great adventure.

So let’s dive into how childfree individuals and couples can approach financial planning to maximise freedom, security, and joy without sacrificing financial responsibility.

1. Live Like a Local… Anywhere You Want!

One of the biggest perks of a childfree life is flexibility. If you’ve dreamed of living in Brazil for a year, learning Cantonese at your job in Hong Kong, or working remotely from ‘the new Berlin’ in Tirana, Albania, you’re in a perfect position to make that dream a reality. Moving abroad can be an adventure AND be a financially savvy choice, as many countries have a lower cost of living than the USA, New Zealand, UK, Canada, Northern Europe or Australia.

To fund your wanderlust, create a dedicated “Adventure Fund.” This doesn’t mean draining your savings—it’s about setting aside a monthly amount for future travels. Start small if needed; even a few hundred dollars a month can add up quickly.

If being a digital nomad appeals, prepare to move online for work before you go (trust me on this- as an online counsellor I know). Even if it’s only part-time and not especially well-paid, being able to supplement travel funds keeps the experience sustainable.

And how much money do you really need? Get some quality ‘hedonistic frugal living‘ advice. See where you could shave off a few expenses and still enjoy your life.

You may also be in a position to apply for a job in another country, go Wwoofing, or enrol in a long-term course. I recently heard of someone using their long-service leave to spend three months doing Rick Stein’s cooking class in the UK and then three months doing another cooking class in France. Let yourself dream. Don’t be shut off from wild ideas just because you can’t see anyone else doing them.

2. Pursue Unconventional Careers or Passion Projects

Childfree folks generally have more freedom to take career risks or pursue unconventional paths. They might start businesses based on personal passions, work in the arts, or even change careers multiple times. They might just want or need to quit their job.

The absence of dependents allows for flexibility, which can be incredibly liberating when exploring new professional directions. Whether it’s launching a side hustle, writing a novel, or becoming a yoga instructor, many childfree people invest time and money in their own creative pursuits, knowing that their financial planning allows for some trial and error.

To keep it sustainable, build a “Passion Fund”—a small savings account dedicated to these ventures. This fund can serve as a buffer if income fluctuates, giving you the confidence to chase your dreams without risking financial stability.

3. The Gardener and the Rose

Jay Zigmont proposes this lovely scheme for childfree couples, in which one person works in a ‘stable’ job while the other person pursues… something else. It may be a new career path, or a passion project. Maybe it’s fulfilling an artistic dream or moving interstate or abroad to try something new out. Or it could be getting on with a household thing.

Work out a reasonable budget. How much do you need to live on + tick your important boxes? Can you make it work on one income? If so, you might be able to consider adopting ‘the gardener and the rose’ approach. Bear in mind you’d need to look at when you would ‘swap’ roles, so both partners have a turn at chasing their dreams.

4. Volunteer or get involved in activism wholeheartedly

Childfree people may be able to more easily pursue volunteer opportunities that require a significant time commitment or travel. Long-term volunteer programs, whether in conservation, education, or community development, can be deeply rewarding, especially if you’re able to give more time and truly engage with the community.

Don’t feel like you ‘have to’ volunteer, of course. There’s a widespread and insulting assumption that childfree people are ‘selfish’ (which is bizarre when you really think about it). This leads some childfree folks to go overboard ‘proving’ they’re a good person with purpose to their lives.

You get to define what brings your life meaning and what purposes you have. That can be a challenge if you haven’t followed the script. Volunteering is an option if you want to, but you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

Bonus! If you do get involved, or you start a social enterprise or business, bear in mind as a childfree person this may even allow you to hand on a meaningful opportunity to someone less advantaged. One of the biggest problems I see with ‘social enterprises’ in South East Asia is that they’re training people for jobs that don’t exist. So what ends up happening is that people are stuck in low-paying service roles and have no chance to advance. Take a look at Bali if you don’t believe me. But you won’t be looking to your kids to replace you as you grow older (or just want to move on). Whoever you train up could be the folk who take over. I met a childfree someone running a boutique hotel in Indonesia who was doing exactly this with his staff.

5.  Build a “Fun Budget” for Hobbies and Adventures

Jay Zigler talks about FILE (Financial Independence Live Early, the less extreme cousin of FIRE- see more on that below). The idea is to strike a balance between earning and playing. You aren’t waiting until you’re 65 or older to retire and ‘enjoy’ life. And if you don’t have kids, it’s potentially easier to FILE as you’re less likely to be accumulating wealth for the sake of handing it on. You also won’t have huge expenses you need to fork out for kids as they’re growing up.

Don’t let work be your only driving force. This is your life!

For childfree people, having extra cash for hobbies and new experiences is one of the sweetest perks. From skydiving classes to learning how to be a sommelier, the possibilities are endless. Instead of limiting hobbies to weekends or occasional vacations, childfree people can integrate their interests into daily life and build financial plans around them. A “Fun Budget” account can cover any costs, so you can try new activities without worrying about monthly expenses.

Plus, hobbies often open up social circles, build skills, and introduce new ways to have fun, all while staying financially responsible. Since hobbies add to quality of life, they’re worth every penny.

You may also find that as your friends have kids your friendship circle gets smaller. You might still be very close to your old friends, and you might be the best Aunty/Uncle/Guncle/Pamangkin the world has every seen. But you’re going to want to connect with some people who don’t have kids, just as parents want and need to connect with other parents.

Being able to get involved in new stuff broadens your opportunity to meet more people, some of whom may become your next-best-friends. Having others in your life with some of the same lifestyle options can be a real game-changer.

6. Invest in Learning and Self-Development

Another way childfree people can enjoy their financial freedom is by investing in lifelong learning. Whether you’re interested in learning a new language, studying philosophy or art, taking up coding, or pursuing a degree later in life, there are endless opportunities to grow. Online courses, workshops, and even higher education are all options when you don’t have dependents relying on you. These experiences can be enriching personally and professionally, broadening horizons in unexpected ways.

To keep things affordable, look for online resources or scholarships and consider local or online workshops instead of pricey university programs. In fact you can actually do some FREE courses from some of the top universities in the world. Self-development doesn’t have to break the bank.

7. Take Calculated Financial Risks

Childfree individuals and couples may have a higher tolerance for financial risk, opening the door to more adventurous investment strategies. With no dependents to worry about, some choose to invest in high-growth stocks, cryptocurrency, or their own businesses. These higher-risk investments come with the potential for greater rewards and can accelerate financial independence.

Of course, high risk doesn’t mean no plan. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to create a diversified portfolio that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. That way, you’re balancing thrill and stability, with some investments aimed at quick growth and others that offer security.

If high-risk isn’t your style, you can explore low-risk investing (in Australia this might look like adding extra to your Superannuation. Or if you don’t want to wait until retirement to access it but happy to let it sit there for 10-20 years, investing in index funds.

8. FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is gaining traction with childfree individuals who want to enjoy more of life without waiting until the traditional retirement age. Influential thinkers like Vicki Robin, author of Your Money or Your Life, have popularised FIRE with a focus on finding freedom from the work-consume cycle, encouraging people to save aggressively and live simply to create more time for their passions.

As Dave Gow of Strong Money Australia emphasises, FIRE isn’t just about early retirement but about “the freedom to live life on your own terms.” For childfree people, this often means prioritising experiences over material accumulation, building financial security while also freeing themselves up to explore hobbies, travel, or simply slow down.

FIRE definitely isn’t for everyone. It does involve pretty extreme saving and discipline, even if you want to retire early modestly. If you’re starting early you may be forgoing some of the sweet risks, adventures, messiness and mistakes that make life rich in your 20’s and 30’s. But if you’re that kind of person anyway- the kind who is more than happy to avoid messy craziness- then FIRE may be for you, and fits well with a choice to be childfree.

9. Make room for all the pets

There are a significant amount of childfree folks who love animals. When you don’t have kids, you can take this love to a whole ‘nother level if you want. Maybe you start a mini-rescue-dog family. Or you connect with a cat-lovers community. You can volunteer time at your local shelter or take on some foster animals. You can get into dog training or dog shows. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have some land with a few farm animals (there are lots of rescues out there who need a good home). You could become an equine therapist. The option is there to pursue a love of animals in a truly meaningful way. Financial planning for childfree folks widens the circle of care.

10. Prioritise Experiences Over Accumulation

Finally, a key aspect of childfree financial planning is valuing experiences over possessions. For many, the goal isn’t a bigger house or more stuff. It’s about creating a life filled with memories, adventures, and personal fulfilment. This might mean renting instead of buying, downsizing, or keeping a minimalist approach to expenses. Childfree people can choose to value mobility, so the “tiny home” movement, RV life, digital nomading, or even house-sitting are viable options that allow for a more nomadic and flexible lifestyle.

It might also mean saving for a ‘luxurious splurge’ and not seeing it as ‘frivolous’. I’m thinking of a $1000 meal at one of the world’s best restaurants, a safari to see gorilla’s in the wild in East Africa, a season following your favourite sports team around, or a sudden flight to the UK to see Kate Bush if she ever performs live again.

As a childfree adventurer myself, I’ve met many people who choose to forgo the stability of buying a house (some might say ‘false stability’ of a huge mortgage + ongoing expensive house repairs). They’ve inspired me, living such interesting lives packed with experiences. And if you make smart investments (remembering you don’t need millions of dollars if you’re not planning to pass on a big financial legacy when you die), you can live more freely without abandoning your retirement package.

You can also just embrace your free time rather than feeling apologetic about it. Most parents would give their left arm for one weekend of quiet solitude at home. There’s nothing cheaper than plonking yourself on the couch with a new TV series, some snacks and your own lovely company.

In the End, It’s About Freedom

For childfree singles and couples, financial planning is about creating a life that’s full, adventurous, and meaningful. By focusing on unconventional paths, investing in personal growth, and building a budget that funds unique interests, you can design a financial plan that supports both security and spontaneity. Living a childfree life isn’t just about not having kids—it’s about having the freedom to explore, experience, and grow in unexpected ways.

As Jay Zigmont puts it, childfree people can “write their own story, by their own rules.” So go ahead—build your financial plan to create the life you want, one bold, exciting decision at a time.

---

Thanks for reading Financial Planning for Childfree Couples and Singles: Living Boldly and Budgeting for Adventure. Worried about financial red flags in your relationship? Read more here on how to identify issues early on. Looking for the perfect budget-friendly wedding present? My little ebook on how to make creative gifts that don’t involve crafting might be the companion you need right now.

Got any advice for Unveiled Stories readers? Please add in the comments below.

Looking for someone to (gently) kick your butt into action? I’m Nicole and i’ve been running my small online practice ‘Unveiled Stories‘ since 2015 and live in South East Asia with my partner. As well as online relationship coaching and online counselling, I offer personal coaching and also business coaching to folks in need of making their own big life changes. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, or just dive in and book an appointment directly.

If you’re not ready for that, jump onto my list! You’ll be first to receive the latest blog updates as well as my monthly newsletter, which is awesome (if I do say so myself), chockfull of exclusive personal questions and reflections, Pop Prescriptions (books n stuff to cure what ails emotionally) and other yummy things. You will also get my FREE workbook ‘Re-authoring a Problem Story: Free Yourself in 7 steps’.

Main image by Toa Heftiba. 
Vespa image by Ray Lee. 
Couple on mountain by Bluewater Sweden. 
Dogs by Roberto Nickson.

As a bookshop.org affiliate, I may get a small commission if you click  and purchase any 
books on my website. The online retailer supporting independent bookstores.