Then Single. Now Dink.

Good morning Dinks.  This post is dedicated to all of our new members here on the Dinks Finance community.  As you know my boyfriend Nick and I are not married but we have been living together for a long time and neither one of us foresee kids in our future.  Today, we are welcoming newlywed or newly cohabitating Dinks to our lifestyle.  I think today is a great opportunity to talk about the Dink journey that we all experience with those who may be just starting out.

Why did you decide to be a Dink?

Most couples start out as Dinks, some couples choose to stay that way and for some couples a higher power made the decision for them.  There are many reasons why couples (both married and not married) decide to remain childless and enjoy the Dink lifestyle.

Career ambitions, lack of time and, if you are me, selfishness can all get in the way of your plans to have kids.  I am 32 years old and I have just never pictured my life with kids.  I know that I am not getting any younger and I don’t want to wake up in ten years and regret my decision not to have kids.

When did you first talk about money as a Dink?

My boyfriend and I never talked about money until we decided to move in together.  Our first argument was about money and now 13 years later it is still one of the subjects that we argue about.

It is said that the honeymoon phase officially ends when you get your first utility bill in the mail. The end of the month is when being a cohabitating couple becomes real. It’s best to have the money talk, set your couples monthly budget and control your spending before the bills come in, this eliminates any potential surprises and any possible conflicts.

What do you love the most about being a Dink?

Of course the choice not to have kids has both its pros and cons. I love that fact that I can come and go as I please without having anyone to depend on me.  I like that fact that I don’t have to rush home to pick up my kids from school and cook dinner for my family.  I also like the fact that I can take a nap after I get home from work without feeling guilty for not spending time with my kids.

I think that not having a younger generation in my life is definitely a con of not having kids. When my boyfriend Nick and I get older we are not going to have anyone to share our lives with, anyone to tell stories to and we aren’t going to have anyone to look up to us for advice.

That is the one thing that I will most likely regret about being a dink – the fact that I won’t be able to watch a little mini me grow up and enjoy life.

What is your best piece of advice for newly Dink-ed out couples?

Photo by ke7

Kristina Tahnyak

Tahnya is a Certified Financial Planner and former Investment Advisor turned marketing and communications professional She holds a degree from Concordia University, is debt free and currently works in the field of digital marketing.