If you’ve chosen not to have kids, you’ve probably heard both stories about your life. One camp insists you’re living the dream, with endless flexibility and extra money to do whatever you want. Another quietly suggests that a no-kid household is just a way to dodge “real” adulthood and hard responsibilities. The truth is more complicated—and a lot more interesting—than either stereotype. When you zoom in on how you spend your time, money, and energy, you can see whether your choice is actually expanding your life or keeping you stuck.
