With the election over and Trump winning, the political mudslinging and dirt-digging has subsidies. But there was a time when being childless and loving cats was a big debate.
Republican VP-elect JD Vance said this during a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson:
“It doesn't make any sense that we turned our country over to people who don't really have a direct stake in it. All I'm saying is that we're effectively run in this country, via the Democrats and corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable with their own lives and the choices they've made. And so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. It's just a basic fact. You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC – the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children.”
Here's the video of him mentioning childless cat ladies and some perspectives from others, as well as Vance's response to the criticism.
Ouch! If I were a child-free cat lady, I'd be irate at his remarks. It's annoying to hear people debase those who don't have what they have. JD Vance, of course, has three children. It's like rich people with wealthy parents saying, “Just work harder! Stop being so lazy!”
To them, you should rightly feel justified in telling them to “F off!” Nobody should be discriminated against. I know the disappointing feeling as an Asian American growing up in Virginia for high school and college.
In light of JD Vance's smug and rude comments about child-free people, I thought I'd go through the economic benefits of being child-free.
Reasons Why Adults Don't Want To Have Children
Before we begin, I'd like to highlight a recent Pew Research poll that shows the reasons why adults are not having children. The biggest reason adults ages 18 to 49 are unlikely to have children is simply because they DON'T/DIDN'T want to, accounting for 57% of the respondents.
Given that we are in the realm of personal finance, we often focus on the high cost of having children. However, that reason ranks only third at 36%. While children are undoubtedly expensive, respondents are indicating that their decision not to have children goes beyond financial considerations.
If you don't want to do something, especially when it comes to having children, you shouldn't feel obligated to do it. Raising children demands significant time and resources for over 18 years.
Meanwhile, “haven't found the right partner” came in at 24% and “infertility and other medical reasons” came in at 13% for those adults ages 18 to 49. Hence, I think it's cruel for JD Vance to make fun of any woman who doesn't have children, when some of them simply can’t.
The Percentage Of Women Who Don't Have Children
It's also good to know that according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau:
- For women in their childbearing years (15-44), approximately 44-48% don't have children.
- For women at the end of their childbearing years (40-44), about 15-20% are childless.
- The percentage of childless women has been steadily increasing over the past few decades.
So you see, a large percentage of women don't have children. So JD Vance is playing with fire when he attacks women in the past or present for being childless. It doesn't seem like a smart move if he wants to be supported.
The Economics of Being a Childless Cat Owner
JD Vance's statement caught my attention because my wife and I were childless cat owners for four months. In 2016, after experiencing a miscarriage, we came to terms that we might not become parents and decided to adopt a cat instead.
We chose to live a simple, low-cost life with our furry friend. However, there was one major issue: I was highly allergic to cats! But I was willing to try to adopt a cat because my wife loved them. To address this dilemma, we went to a special breeder in Marin County who had hypoallergenic Siberian cats and found an older mom cat looking for a home.
Although we loved the cat, after three months, I began experiencing breathing issues. Having had severe asthma as a child and being hospitalized twice, the cat's presence triggered my asthma again. Consequently, we sadly returned the cat after four months and received half our money back.
Had we remained a childless couple with a cat, we would be financially better off today. We likely would have enjoyed our lives immensely, as we both retired early and had enough passive income. Therefore, I thought it would be interesting to review the economics of being childless with a cat.
1) No Need for a Larger House ($20,000 – $50,000 in Annual Savings)
With just yourself and perhaps a partner, you can comfortably live in a one-bedroom apartment. There’s no need to have a three-bedroom house or larger to accommodate a nursery and an office.
In San Francisco, a nice one-bedroom apartment in a great location costs about $3,800 a month, while a three-bedroom single-family home or apartment in a luxury high-rise costs $6,000 – $7,000 a month.
If you want to buy a three bedroom single-family house, that’ll cost you $300,000 – $2,200,000, depending on where you live. The idea of buying the perfect house to raise a family will never come up.
2) No Need to Pay for Expensive Private Tuition ($2,000 – $60,000 in Annual Savings)
Sending a child to private school can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $60,000 a year, depending on location and grade. With a cat, there’s no need for private school tuition!
Even with public school, there are still annual donations, books, transportation, and other fees involved to the tune of $1,000-$5,000.
3) No Need to Buy a Large and Safe Car ($30,000+ in One-Time Savings)
A $8,000 used Fit, Corolla, Sentra, Yaris, or any other economical car will do just fine for a cat. The smallest car to a cat is like a stretch limousine or monster truck to a human.
In December 2016, we spent $61,000 after tax on a 2015 Range Rover Sport because we didn’t feel safe driving a baby around in a Honda Fit with thin doors. If we had invested that $61,000 in the stock market back then, it would be worth over $130,000 today. $130,000 could buy 433 of the best steak dinners with wine for two at the fanciest restaurants!
4) No Need to Save for College Tuition ($200,000 – $1 Million in Savings)
One of our parental obligations is to provide the best education for our children, which requires saving for their college education. By being a childless cat owner, you can avoid saving between $200,000 – $1 million for your child's college education. All that money saved can be used to fund your retirement, go on fabulous adventures, and buy the best cat food money can buy!
To fully fund college for each child requires you to save enough to achieve Coast FIRE for their college tuition, in addition to your regular retirement savings. Not easy. It's like treading water in the middle of a lake and suddenly having two 2-year-olds who can't swim tossed onto you.
5) Cheaper Transportation Costs for a Cat ($50 – $700 savings per trip)
Most airlines allow small pets in carriers to be placed under the seat in front of you, with fees typically ranging from $95 to $125 each way for domestic flights. This is 50% – 80% cheaper than the cost of an adult ticket and children ages 2 and older.
If you take a bus or train, the cost to bring a cat is even cheaper. Greyhound charges $30 and Amtrak charges $26 per pet. Pretty good value for your cat companion!
6) No Need for Therapy or Coaching ($200 – $2,000 a month)
We humans are complicated beings, constantly struggling with purpose and meaning. Take, for instance, my post about my parental existential crisis. As a result, we can often get down on ourselves, which may require professional help.
With a cat, there's no need to send it to a therapist. You don’t need to pay for expensive after-school lessons to give your cat greater joy in life. A cat is happy just being fed, played with, and left alone. And you can get catnip at Walmart for just $2, what a bargain.
7) No Need for Shoes Or Clothes, Like Ever ($500 – $2,000 savings a year)
The great thing about cats is that they can walk around naked forever. They have self-renewing fur that keeps them covered indefinitely. In contrast, your children will outgrow their shoes, shirts, and pants every 6 months.
We are shocked at how many holes our 7.5-year-old son gets in his pants and shoes. It's almost as if there's a defect in his clothing.
The Cost Of Caring For One Cat
The cost of caring for a cat can vary depending on factors like the cat's age, health, and your lifestyle choices. However, here are some general estimates based on average costs in the United States.
Monthly cat expenses:
- Food: $20 – $40
- Litter: $15 – $25
- Toys and treats: $10 – $20
- Pet insurance (optional): $15 – $30
Monthly total: $60 – $115
Yearly cat expenses:
- Monthly expenses x 12: $720 – $1,380
- Annual veterinary check-up: $50 – $200
- Vaccinations: $50 – $100
- Flea/tick/heartworm prevention: $100 – $200
- Unexpected medical expenses (budget for): $200 – $500
Yearly total: $1,120 – $2,380
One-time initial costs (first year):
- Adoption fees: $50 – $200
- Spaying/neutering: $200 – $500
- Initial vaccinations and medical exam: $100 – $200
- Supplies (litter box, carrier, scratching post, etc.): $100 – $200
Total one-time initial costs: $450 – $1,100
These figures are estimates and can vary widely based on location, specific products chosen, and individual cat needs. Some cats may have higher medical expenses, while others may need less frequent vet visits. Additionally, costs can increase significantly if your cat develops a chronic health condition or experiences an emergency.
So Much Cheaper Raising a Cat Than a Child
It costs up to $2,500 a year to raise a cat in today's dollars. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) most recent report from 2017, the average annual cost to raise a child is $13,000 to $15,000 per year, with a total cost from birth to age 17 of $233,610 (in 2015 dollars).
Using a 3% annual inflation rate since 2015, the cost to raise a child rises to about $305,000 from birth to age 17 starting in 2024. The average annual cost to raise a child increases to $17,000 – $19,600 today.
In other words, it costs $14,500 – $17,100 a year less to raise a cat. What a bargain! And the bargain is even greater if you plan to send your kid to private school and have multiple kids.
So Much Less Stressful Raising a Cat Too
Not only is raising a cat much cheaper than raising a child, but cats also don't talk back or cause you a lot of grief. They might get grouchy and swipe at you with their claws from time to time, but for the most part, cats are low maintenance, which is one of the reasons I like them.
Cats don't give you mini-heart attacks by running into the street or walking off ledges as toddlers do. After all, there's a reason why cats are said to have nine lives! You don't have to worry about them hurting themselves. They can fall from a one-story building and land just fine.
You don't have to worry about your cat getting pregnant or getting addicted to drugs and alcohol either. Finally, you don't have to worry about having a lonely and depressed cat because they have you and all the food you feed it.
Embrace Your Childless, Pet-Loving Status
If you're a childless cat lady or gentleman, enjoy the good times! You get a vote in our country just like any other human on this planet. You have skin in the game, especially if you are part of the ~50% who pay income taxes. If you're an illegal immigrant who doesn't pay taxes, then sorry.
Don't let parents like JD Vance make you feel inferior just because you don't have children and like pets. The freedom you have is priceless. Enjoy it!
Famous Child-Free Cat Ladies
- Florence Nightingale – The pioneering nurse was known to have up to 60 cats throughout her lifetime.
- Harriet Hosmer – A 19th-century American sculptor who never married and was devoted to her cats.
- Patricia Highsmith – The acclaimed crime novelist lived alone with her cats and snails.
- Beryl Reid – British actress who left most of her estate to her cats when she died.
- Louisa May Alcott – The “Little Women” author never married or had children, but was fond of cats.
- Emily Brontë – The “Wuthering Heights” author was known to be very attached to her cats.
- Dorothy Parker – The writer and critic was known for her wit and her love of cats.
- Greta Garbo – The reclusive actress lived alone in later life and was often seen walking her cats.
- Taylor Swift – The musician who could easily sway an election if she spoke up.
- Oprah – Talk show host and multi-billionaire who never officially married.
- Jennifer Aniston – An actress who made us laugh in Friends and some Adam Sandler movies on Netflix recently.
All of these women led/lead rich, fulfilling lives and made/make significant contributions to their fields, regardless of their marital status or choice to have children. Their love for cats was just one aspect of their complex personalities.
Let's turn any negative connotations of being a childless cat lady to a positive!
Famous Child-Free Cat Gentlemen
Here's a list of famous “cat gentlemen” who were known to have never had children:
- Nikola Tesla – The brilliant inventor and engineer was devoted to his work and his cats.
- Edward Gorey – The American writer and artist was known for his eccentric, macabre works and his love of cats. He left his estate to animal welfare charities.
- Andy Warhol – The iconic pop artist had several cats throughout his life, including 25 cats all named Sam.
- Maurice Ravel – The French composer, known for “Bolero,” was a lifelong bachelor with no children. He was fond of cats and often wrote music with his cat sitting on his piano.
- Glenn Gould – The Canadian classical pianist was known for his eccentricities and his love of animals, particularly cats.
- Samuel Johnson – The English writer and lexicographer, famous for compiling the first English dictionary, was childless and kept a cat named Hodge.
- Sir Isaac Newton – Invented calculus and did tremendous work on gravitational forces. He was known to be devoted to his work and his cats.
These men were all accomplished in their respective fields and known for their affection towards cats, while also never having children of their own. Let's make the term “cat gentlemen” a positive too!
Favorite Cat Movie Scene
Finally, let me leave with you with one of my favorite cat movie scenes of all time from Meet The Parents. How can you not want a cat, childless or not, after watching this?
A Discussion On The Opposite Of Being A Childless Cat Lady: Being A TradWife
Reader Questions And Suggestions
Readers, are you a childless cat lady or gentleman? How do you feel about what JD Vance remarked? Do you feel you have a stake in our country if you don't have kids? What are the main reasons why you are childless? Should childless people pay a higher income tax rate as JD Vance proposes?
To better manage your finances, use Empower, a remarkable wealth management tool I've trusted since 2012. Empower goes beyond basic budgeting, offering insights into investment fees and retirement planning. It's free for all to use. Don't leave your money up to chance. To build greater wealth, you must diligently track your money.
To make better life choices, check out my WSJ bestseller, Buy This Not That: How To Spend Your Way To Wealth And Freedom. My book tackles some of life's biggest dilemmas, including whether to get married and have children. By the time you finish reading, you will have developed a framework to make optimal decisions.
To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009.
I’m a childless cat lady. I’m also an Asian childless cat lady. I’m also an unmarried Asian childless cat lady lol. I’m also an only child. I did get married to my true love but he died of cancer at a young age and I never got married again. Guess who takes care of both sets of parents? That’s a rhetorical question. It’s me of course.
It seems like a terribly selfish and self-centered way to think, that someone, simply because they chose not to have children, would not care about the welfare of others, and would not care about the welfare of the planet in general. By lacking children, you somehow lack empathy, compassion, courtesy and respect for other humans, now and in the future.
Very strange way to think. I hope he doesn’t tell all the monks and nuns that. Wasn’t Mother Teresa childless? Didn’t she consider the poorest of the poor all her children?
Also, I’m not really a cat lady by choice. A cat had kittens on my patio while I was out of the country for a month and no one would take them. Despite what the county animal shelters say, they’re all kill shelters.
I understand you’re making a valid point, but I’d advise steering clear of using Mother Teresa as an example in the future. There’s quite a bit of controversy surrounding her, which could undermine your argument.
Choosing JD Vance, as a running man, will turn out to be one of the biggest colossal mistakes by Trump. You don’t double down on another white man who insults a decent percentage of the female population who don’t have children. How dumb can you be?
Vance is weird, stiff, and traumatized badly as a child.
Yes, children are a blessing. We should have more of them, only if we can physically do so, can mentally do so, and can afford to do so. Because yes, children are also expensive, especially the more you love them.
I feel sorry for JD’s wife and children the most, given the backlash that will stick around them forever.
Wow, Tim Walz seems like a much more likeable and compassionate guy than Vance. Good diversification for Harris versus doubling down with Trump.
At the end of the day, do you want leader ship that brings people together, not divides people.
Tim Walz and his entire family are sick people. He clearly said he went to war when he did not. He allowed black communities in Minnesota to be burned, looted, and destroyed in the 2000 BLM riots by telling police to take a knee, keeping back the national guard, and he and Kamala helped bail out the violent criminals. What a combo! Tim Walz’s wife says she left the windows open during the 2020 BLM riots to smell the burning tires and soak in the moment. Her daughter was also caught leaking national guard plans to rioters so they could avoid arrest. Tim Walz and family seem swell! lol
Additionally:
The guy signed a law making tampons mandatory in boys public school restrooms.
He got a DUI going 40 mph over and blowing a 1.2 and said he had hearing difficulties when speaking with the officer, hence his failed sobriety test.
He said he would like to fund latters to help illegals get in even easier.
Most notably, given this is a finance forum, he is a Sanders socialist who very recently said “one man’s socialism is another’s good neighborliness.” Tell that to all the Cubans that fled their communist home and see if they agree.
But other than that, yeah he’s a solid pick. Unbelievable the gaslighting going on here and the fact there’s seemingly smart individuals lapping it up without a question in the world.
Spot on! He’s turned Minnesota into a dump. Kamala won’t even do a presser because they are going to try to hide her how they did with Biden. For being “educated” many here sure lack common sense.
Could not agree more – I normally agree with Sam, but today he is way off.
Yeah! Screw the miserable single woman who can’t have kids. Sucks to be them! This is our country!
It’s not a good idea to insult 20% of women… when it’s pretty 50/50 already how many women are democrate vs. conservative. You just swung the pendulum atleast 10% to more like 40/60 with that comment… that’s election losing numbers. Not to mention Roe V Wade was the law of the land when Hilary was running and no women believe it would be going away. If i was a gambling man, i would put a lot of money on the 2nd time a female runs for president, she’s getting a bigger female liberal turn out than before. We might never see a female president run for decades again if Kamala loses… so women will be motivated. I think Sam was making a fair point.
EC, how did we go from Vance insulting child-free women to all these other issues you mention? Shouldn’t you stick to the topic of this post if you want to have a honest debate?
Hey there,
I just wanted to thank you for this post, particularly for the link to the “Economics of Being a Childless Cat Lady or Gentleman”!
As a childless dog lady, who is often treated as less than by family, and who is also quite offended by comments like JD’s, your post really did bring a much needed smile and chuckle to the day :)
Thank you for all of the fantastic and incredibly helpful financial insights and for this wonderful dose of humor.
Wishing you all the best!
Sincerely,
You bet! Glad you enjoyed the post. I had a lot of sensitive men tell me they didn’t appreciate this post. It is fascinating the demographic response of this topic when politics are involved.
Hi Sam,
Hope all is going well!
As I am in 100% agreement with your thoughts on JD’s clueless understanding of women’s fertility, cat lady talk etc and honestly believing that JD should be replaced immediately with a file cabinet as it could do less damage then when he articulates a thought.
Besides that, his hiding behind his military service somehow provides him with some shield of excellence in all fields is lame at worst and actually disrespectful to other veterans – I served 22 years in the US Navy but do not have his smug and cavalier persona that makes me an expert in everything!
So, since we are in this pond maybe you would discuss legal vs illegal immigration?
Biden is arguably the worst US President ever! Legal immigration, where one waits their turn in line is fair, process oriented and catapults a person’s chance of success 10 fold. What we have today is a system that rewards cartels as they are in on a payday and simply provides the USA human debris unable to fully understand English – business language is English. The illegals will likely gravitate towards car washes, sex workers or non sustainable careers.
Interested in your thoughts in a future article about this topic and how it plays into personal and national economics.
In closing, I am an undecided voter and if these 2 candidates are the best the USA can offer we are adrift in sloth,sewage and future economic sufferings
Best Regards,
I totally agree on the failure of the Biden administration to not protect the border and to allow so many illegal immigrants into our country, especially ones with criminal backgrounds. Unacceptable.
Thank you Sam for this comment! This is refreshing to see from you!
The context of his comment was aimed at the women’s movement at the time that valued abortions over births, told women they didn’t need men, and valued careers for empowerment, and dismissed women whose choice was to raise a family. Current Example is the response to Butker’s commencement speech. Dems are the one’s who can’t define what a woman is and are letting men steal beauty pageant awards and take over women’s sports. How ironic!
^^^THIS
Probably the biggest fallout will be the hurt lives of Usha Vance and her three children. They will be bullied, criticized, and ridiculed for the rest of their lives if JD Vance becomes VP.
Given how ugly politics can get (just look at some of the touchy comments here despite this post being level-headed, poignant, and funny), they will all experience serious traumatic events that will lead to depression, heartache, and poor mental health.
No amount of fame and money and power is worth it to put your family in harm’s way.
I am a childfree cat lady (childless by choice, 4 cats), happily married for 40+ years and the day I start paying attention to others’ opinions about my lifestyle choices will never arrive. I fully support everyone else’s lifestyle choices and their pursuit of happiness in whatever form it takes as long as it does no harm to anyone else, which is what I live by.
The reason I value financial independence is mainly for the range of choices it opens up in one’s life, and the freedom to choose has always been my main tenet in life.
When people ask me if I have children, I just say “No” with a big smile and let them wonder why.
There are usually no follow up questions!
That said, I don’t see why anyone would think childless people are less invested in the future of the country, humanity or the planet. And it would seem rather obvious that the fewer children a woman has, the more time she would have to dedicate to the betterment of the country in other ways. Expecting all women to be able to do everything (not that there aren’t some super-human types that maybe need very little sleep and have boundless energy that do) is rather ridiculous.
I have followed you for a long time, I always wondered how you could not be a “closet liberal” living in San Francisco and have ties back to Hawaii. You have always been smart to keep politics out of your writing (I’m guessing to keep from losing any money from half the country). But you just couldn’t help yourself about JD Vance could you? I’m with some of the other commenters, stay out of politics or start writing about some of the idiotic things the other side does. Like letting men beat up women in the Olympics. You seem to be a devoted family man, if your daughter enters sports are you going to enjoy watching her compete against “men”?
Men are beating up women in the Olympics? Please elaborate.
Family planning and demographics matter to the economy. Of course I’m going to talk about political issues during an election that affect my family and others. I’m in the middle of raising children.
Why be afraid of having a discussion? It’s an important way to gain perspective. The most intelligent people I know are always open to debate.
Instead of trying to tell me what to do, why don’t you contribute to the conversation and share your thoughts on family, planning, taxes, economic growth, demographic, changes, etc.
While you’re at it, share something about yourself. Don’t worry, you won’t be criticized for your views.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/female-boxer-makes-xx-chromosomes-gesture-after-losing-on-sunday/ar-AA1odx0T
Lin Yu Ting was born female and has competed in numerous sanctioned boxing events. I don’t think biological males should compete as females. If they want to compete, perhaps there can be a transgender event to even things out.
Can you share me something about yourself? It would be helpful to understand where you are coming from.
This one was a tricky one. But most of that was brought on by news reports not disclosing why she was determined to be a man. So everyone made assumptions. It was because of her XY chromosomes. So, technically she’s a man, but was born with female genitalia and was raised as a woman. That’s a very unique circumstance. In such a case, though, fairness and a level playing field have to be considered in sport. She naturally has high testosterone levels, which allowed her to have naturally more strength, bigger bones, and a stronger chin. That’s not her fault, but it’s also not the fault of the women without those advantages that they can’t compete. She should not be allowed to compete in these higher level tournaments. Her winning is a sure thing as we are finding out, and it’s not worth the risk of hurting someone. Life can’t be “fair” for everyone. The best we can do is make it fair for the most people.
Sam, i’ve been reading your blog for several years, and I’ve always appreciated how forthright and reasoned your various articles are. I’ve also appreciated how well you’ve walked the fine line remaining apolitical, since solid personal finance practices do not belong to one party more than another.
I have to admit that I’m very disappointed in your very shallow review of what JD Vance was really talking about regarding childless women. He was addressing those women (and their men) who are in a heterosexual relationship, and are choosing to not have children, not those who struggle or are unable to have children.
This post, and the one prior to it reek of political bias, which is very disheartening, coming from you. You, like all of your readers, are certainly entitled to your political biases, but I sincerely hope this is the last time you let them creep into your writing about personal finance.
P.S. those without children at home are, and for over a half century paid a lower effective tax rate in this country, due to the dependent tax deductions, which I assume you avail yourself of. So what exactly is your beef?
Sorry to sadden you and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m always curious to know why you’re so disheartened though? This post highlights the cost of being child-free and the importance of personal choice and freedom.
One of my favorite things used to look at contentious topics from all sides and have a mature discussion about it.
Do you have children? And what is your wife think about the topic? It’s always good to understand the background of people who comment. Thanks.
I must add to your comments about exclusion due to perceived differences.
I have lived in Southern California for 40 years.
I was born, brought up, educated, married and had children in the English Midlands.
And my mother sent me for elocution lessons at RADA who did a local program in our city (Coventry).
Recently, someone asked me “Why I didn’t just go home?”. “Why?” I asked?
“Because your English isn’t very good” was the answer.
When I pointed out that my birth country was England and the language I spoke was……….English, he muttered “just joking”.
We came to California like millions of other immigrants who have found lack of work and resources lacking in our homelands. Black, white and all colors, speakers of every language but with the strong desire to contribute.
I was a STEM high school teacher for many years and now at 83, I substitute elementary students from EVERY nation.
Keep the good work of educating us all financially, Sam!
And thank you for encouraging us all!
JG
I wanted to add, that for every person born it is estimated 7000 animals will be killed to feed this single person. I guess this would fall on “environmental reasons” for not having kids but I think it’s worth highlighting it as it is one of the reasons I personally wouldn’t have more kids. Having kids is the single most selfish decision we can make so it should be taken very seriously.
Grateful to you for raising this important topic. You addressed it respectfully, without demonizing any side (childfree, childless, and people with children). Bravo.
Perhaps read his book, Hillbilly Elegy, or see the movie or both. Perhaps you may gain another perspective of the man. Every child has his or her challenges regardless. Every child has experienced, “othered”, in one way or another or in many ways, regardless.
I have yet to see one negative article in the Financial Samurai space about Biden or Harris. Makes me wonder if this is a financial newsletter or a political hack job. Why alienate half the country? Keep your politics out.
Oh don’t worry, I will write a post if Harris or Biden say something insulting and it relates to my family.
In the meantime, given you are a Republican, perhaps you’ll enjoy these posts:
https://www.financialsamurai.com/what-a-trump-presidency-means-for-your-finances/
https://www.financialsamurai.com/how-to-survive-the-war-on-merit/
https://www.financialsamurai.com/diversity-hire-dilemma/
https://www.financialsamurai.com/investor-virtue-signaling/
As this is an election year, there will be plenty of debate that will be discussed. The goal is to debate important topics that may affect our lives and our finances. I am sure the vast majority of readers have the maturity to discuss issues without malice.
And for those that don’t, that’s OK too. Staying in an echo chamber often feels more comfortable. But it may prevent you from learning and building more wealth.
Ollie, can we discuss other viewpoints can we come together and learn
Some thoughts on Vance’s pronatalism, or at least one conservative’s view on pronatalism that I’ll share with you that I think come from generally the same place of meaning I believe Vance is coming from.
Throughout all of history, the family has been the most important pillar of society. In the West, and specifically in America, starting with the Boomer generation, grown men and women seem to have become more selfish and less sacrificial. The idea of raising children in the eyes of more and more young people is seen as something that is beautiful, but not worth the tradeoff of giving up more independence and pleasure from using your time and financial resources on yourself.
I, and many other people believe, that when you have a child, you for the first time are no longer the most important person in your life. This creates a transformation that leads to personal maturity and virtue through sacrifice. If more people continue to opt out of having children, I believe we will have a more selfish and immature society that comes with negative consequences for a free nation.
I interpret Vance’s comments to mean that we need to reorient society to a posture where having children is the default, and expected for most people as it is a good decision that will make you a better person. Of course, nobody should be forced into having children, and very sadly some people who want to have children will be unable to.
Broadly, I believe we ought to emphasize the importance of marriage and family in order to better the lives of many people, as this has been the case for all of history until very late.
Excellent points, thanks for sharing.
“ when you have a child, you for the first time are no longer the most important person in your life”
I agree.
I just don’t want people to feel bad or unworthy just because they don’t have children, especially those who have tried and could not conceive.
Absolutely! Having kids should absolutely be a free choice, but once you decide to bring up children, our society should be behind you 100% with every kind of support, like all successful societies of the past. Which is why it is so ironic that Vance’s party will be the one to tell new parents “F You!” the minute their kid is born. No subsidies for childcare, healthcare, or college tuition, funding cuts for public education… Brought to you by America’s “pro-family” political party!
Please, parents don’t automatically become unselfish beings after giving birth. They just go from thinking of oneself as the most important person to their children being the most important. Both scenarios are still selfish! Society hardly gets any better with more parents around. Just pay a visit to Disneyland to watch parents in full selfish glory!
I really appreciate this one because I’m still on an emotional roller coaster from the collapse of the bank where I work(ed) last year. I feel like you do – I am now targeting another place to work as they are insourcing their network team. I want to work for an institution that does something for society other than just move rich people’s money around. Granted healthcare is messed up too because if you need care you either have to be rich or have great insurance and even then need money so it’s still a sad state for anyone without money. That’s not something you can fix but your guidance to people is very helpful.
My wife and I never had kids and we fall into the category of she just didn’t want them and I’m ok with that so it worked out. I have been thankful lately that I didn’t have them because of my fear of the future but that’s also kind of sad. I feel like capitalism really destroys so many people’s lives, but that’s the way it’s always been. The alternative doesn’t work much better. It’s just so scary that all of the schemes that started under Reagan to create loopholes for corporations, get rid of pensions, focus on short term profits and stock prices (thanks Jack Welch) and mass layoffs or firings for minor infractions (that was what happened to me at another bank 20 years ago and now that I am back at this same bank from their purchase of failed bank I was at. I live every day in fear they will find my record and fire me again), etc.
At this point at 52 I am spending most of my time thinking how I can get out. FIRE if I can call it that at my age seems great but still a pipe dream. Thankfully the wife works at a top VC and makes a decent paycheck, wants to work to 65, we have $6.5M invested pretty aggressively mostly in tech stocks and rent control. Things could be worse.
Anyway I just wanted to applaud you again for the rawness and realness of your e mail. Please don’t stop! I know it’s work for you but I think it really impacts people in a positive way.
I am telling my friends about these whenever we discuss finances. Like last night at Tony’s Pizza I told 2 of our gay friends who also grew up feeling othered about this (but not in relation to feeling othered).
I have felt othered because I have suffered progressively worse hearing loss in the past 20 years which I know has led to a few firings and dismissals of my own. It is the root of my anxiety and why I want to work for a place like this new place where hopefully that won’t be the REAL reason some day and not the usual B.S. about performance. Sigh.
Anyway have a great day.
Thank you for your helpful, insightful and enlightening weekly blog. I enjoy reading it each Sunday morning.
While we all have different backgrounds and experiences that have led us to become the people that we are today, I would humbly suggest that you go back and listen to the whole JD Vance in context as well as listen to his clarifying thoughts on the comments. It has been badly twisted and misconstrued.
Instead of assuming a position of “othering” a group of people, I would propose that Mr. Vance was, in fact, making an observation that a majority of those in our nations leadership are making policies that are anti-family and anti-children in their decisions. As you mention and cite below in today’s blog, the global population is seeing the negative effect that this approach has had in a country like China.
Again, we all have different backgrounds and experiences. Assigning motives and intent beyond what someone has said is dangerous and one of the divisive things that is happening too often in our country and relationships today.
With respect and regards,
Jeremy
I think family formation is an important topic to discuss. As it affects all of us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts in a civil manner.
The lack of compassion by Vance’s comments is disheartening. Yes, his comments were directed at his political foes, at the time who didn’t have children. However, you also knew he was on a popular show that would get picked up everywhere.
If he spent time talking to people with fertility issues, he would better understand the struggles of conception. 1 in 8 couples cannot conceive due to various reasons.
The people angriest at people talking about showing compassion to couples with infertility issues are almost ALL white men too. Identity politics at work.
Vance could very well cost Trump’s victory. Good on you Sam for tackling the topic head on.
Oh look, another person who watches CNN sound bites and has absolutely no idea that Vance spent a great deal of time in his original speech empathizing with those trying to conceive without success! It’s amazing that, in todays meme world, people still instantly lap up an out of context 30 second sound bite meant to distort a persons views.
Kudos for the “cat person” explanation, you brought clarity without offending!
I really appreciated this…I have read your newsletter awhile now and you have been staying in your lane of not being “political” (whatever that means) so I really respect you and others that are speaking out now because the threats to our freedom are real…I know you will take a hit for this…thank you
…a retired cat lady…my cats have passed and rest in peace
Hi Patricia – Yep, several angry men responded to my newsletter and have probably unsubscribed. This post hurt their feelings, but this topic is worth discussing. And what’s the point of being financially independent if you don’t speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in?
It’s always a bummer to see people attack others for being different, wanting something different, or not having what they have.
Hope you can get another cat!
Boy, for you to spend so much time on one statement is kind of sad.
The group he was mentioning is obviously psychotic. They are totally anti family and anti children. They push for puberty blockers for minors. Men in women’s bathrooms, men in women’s sports, they are taking away parental rights, they push for drag queen story hours and for God’s sake did you see the opening ceremony for the Olympics. I bet every one of those people were childless cat person.
I hate to tell you life is hard for every child and we all have been marginalized, laughed at, spit on, made fun of. Some like you get to blame your race. Others like me get to blame ourselves.
Love the comment Rick. But did the article at least make you chuckle a little and see another point of view?
I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. The key is to acknowledge the abuse, understand why things are the way they are, and take action to better the situation.
I’m thankful for the racism I experienced growing up in Virginia as an Asian American. It propelled me to study hard and save and invest as much as possible to be free. If life was all sunshine and rainbows, I’m certain I wouldn’t have tried as hard.
Fight on!
Genius writing skills!
I have never read something that resonated so much as reading you article on how you helped your wife negotiate early retirement. Everything you said about your wife’s work ethic is mine exactly except I have given 25 yrs to this firm and am only a few yrs from retirement. I am an Operations Mgr and the previous firm’s valuable resource for everything about the firm. We just merged with another company and bottom line they are trying to push me down under a wet behind the ears manager who knows nothing but working for this firm for less than 10 yrs, no college degree but has a golden path paved for her bc the CCO favors her. I made my concern known last December when they were going to present the new org chart at a company xmas party but I got wind of it first. I spoke to still my current boss from the previous firm and made it known how upset I was considering 2 of my colleagues who have half the amount of experience and work ethic seemed to somehow been promoted by giving them Managing Director titles. And I was being pushed under this inexperienced Mgr. So they changed the org chart for me to continue working for my boss who was a partner in the firm. This was basically just a reprieve as I see the same trajectory happening in that this Mgr and the CCO continue to have secret meetings then give directives on what is going to happen that directly affects my job without even giving me the courtesy of a discussion. I have talked to my boss here and there about this but he seems to gaslight me saying he doesn’t have as much control as he did before the merger, however, he was just appointed President!! At this point I think its best for the firm and me to negotiate an exit plan so they can hire someone they can easily mold into what they want. I confided in a coworker about this and she said they would never go for it bc I am too valuable. This is the same situation your wife was in. I really need your help. I would really appreciate an actual consultation with you if possible. Thank you
Hi Donna, thanks for sharing your story. Sorry things have been so frustrating! With 25 years under your belt, you are the perfect candidate for negotiating a severance package and breaking free. If you want to do a consultation, here is my consulting page with a form to fill out. I don’t advertise it because the demand is overwhelming and the process takes a lot of time.
Whatever you do, don’t quit your job. You’ve got tremendous potential to walk away with money in your pocket. It is one of the best feelings, ever! Best, Sam
President George Washington – childless. Just wanted to add that the general and first president of the US chose to not have any biological children.
Family shaming needs to end.
Just to clarify GW did not have children with his wife. However Mt Vernon was a big plantation.
I think it’s important to discuss historical figures with accuracy and respect. While there are complex aspects to George Washington’s life, it’s best to rely on verified historical research and evidence. Spreading unconfirmed information can lead to misunderstandings. Let’s focus on facts and have a constructive conversation.
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/family/did-george-washington-have-kids
It is common knowledge he was a dedicated stepparent. No different from Kamala Harris is as one. Neither one had biological children. Both are stepparents.