Dual Income, No Kids (DINK): Definition, Types, and Financial Implications

What is DINK?

“Dual income, no kids” (DINK) describes a household in which two adults earn income and there are no dependent children. Because they do not bear child-rearing expenses, DINK households typically have more disposable income and greater flexibility to save, invest, or spend on discretionary items.

Key takeaways

• DINK households combine two earners with no dependent children, often resulting in higher disposable income than households with children.
• Common DINK types include couples who choose to be child-free, couples unable to have children, newly partnered couples, and empty nesters.
• DINKs are frequently targeted by marketers for luxury goods and investment products because of their discretionary spending power.
• Greater disposable income can be allocated to savings, retirement accounts, investments, travel, housing upgrades, or lifestyle choices.

Financial implications

Without the recurring costs of raising children, DINKs can redirect funds toward financial goals. Typical implications include:

• Higher potential for saving and investing — money that might have gone to child-related expenses can be contributed to retirement plans, brokerage accounts, or other investments.
• Different housing dynamics — two adults sharing a home often spend less per person on housing than single households, though couples may choose larger or more expensive housing.
• More discretionary spending on travel, dining, entertainment, and luxury items.
• Greater susceptibility to marketing for higher-end consumer goods and financial products.

How much does raising a child cost?

Estimates vary, but raising a child through age 17 typically costs in the low-to-mid hundreds of thousands of dollars. Published estimates for a middle-income family range roughly from about $230,000 to over $300,000 (not accounting for inflation over time). Additional expenses for adoption or fertility treatments can be substantial: adoption costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and a single in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle averages in the low tens of thousands.

Types of DINK households

DINK households are diverse and include:

• Couples who choose not to have children: Decisions may be motivated by lifestyle preferences, career focus, financial planning, or health reasons.
• Couples who cannot have children: May face medical infertility or other barriers; some pursue adoption or fertility treatment, which adds costs.
• New couples: Newly partnered or newly married couples without children—often saving for major purchases like a home or planning for a future family.
• Empty nesters: Couples whose children have moved out may return to DINK-like finances and often shift priorities to retirement saving, travel, or downsizing.
• Other household arrangements: Two unrelated adults sharing a household (roommates) or an adult child living with a parent can also qualify as dual-income, no-kids situations when two earners live together.

DINK lifestyle

A DINK lifestyle usually means:

• More discretionary time and money for travel, dining, hobbies, and entertainment.
• Opportunities to accelerate financial goals (e.g., paying off debt, building emergency funds, investing early).
• Flexibility to adopt different consumption patterns—such as spending more on experiences or premium goods.

Financial considerations for DINKs

To make the most of higher disposable income, DINK households often focus on:

• Emergency fund: Maintain three to six months of living expenses.
• Retirement savings: Maximize employer-sponsored plans and individual retirement accounts.
• Investments: Diversify across stocks, bonds, and other assets according to risk tolerance and time horizon.
• Insurance and estate planning: Ensure adequate health, disability, and life insurance and prepare wills or powers of attorney—especially important for couples without children.
• Long-term goals: Decide whether to prioritize homeownership, early retirement, travel, philanthropy, or future family planning (if desired).

Bottom line

DINK households encompass a range of situations but share the common advantage of two incomes without child-related expenses. That advantage can translate into greater financial flexibility and opportunities for saving, investing, and discretionary spending. How that advantage is used depends on individual priorities—whether building wealth, enhancing lifestyle, or preparing for future family changes.