What’s the point of having a salary if the whole thing goes to paying for daycare?

The back-of-the-napkin math for many couples says that it’s “cheaper” for one partner to stay home and take care of the kids because childcare is so freaking expensive.

Because statistically women earn less than men (how is this still true??), in heterosexual couples, it often “makes more sense” for it to be the woman who steps out of the workforce in the child-chasing years until some undetermined “later”.

In this episode, Caitlin and Sara get help from pod favorite Kacie Swartz to lay out all of the questions women and couples should ask and answer while making that decision, and what financial and professional decisions might protect the financial and emotional well-being of the family during and after that transition.

“There’s a math answer and there’s a heart answer - and they are not always the same.” said Yoda. Or, whoops, Kacie. Kacie said that.

And also she and Sara talk about how that math answer might only be a short term one, and the longer-term math equation is totally different. There’s a lot to consider here. And Kacie is hella funny so it’s fun to consider.

As always, you can find fan favorite podcast guest Kacie Swartz at Black Barn Financial.

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This episode was edited by our co-producer Kelly West. Music by Bad Bad Hats and Devmo.