Can We Afford Another Kid?

“This decision should not be based on a spreadsheet at the end of the day.” Our hosts, Dan and Natalie Slagle, turn the mic on their own family planning by asking themselves, “Should we have a second child?” To Dan, the first time around carried the thrill of not knowing; the second carries the different weight of already knowing what’s in store. Natalie counters that knowing what's coming brings its own quiet stress, even if the unknowns felt scarier the first time. From there they work through age gaps, their reliance on a friend-built support network in lieu of nearby family, and how parenthood has already reshaped their careers, especially the pay and ambition gap that tends to open up for mothers specifically. Then Dan lays out seven financial categories every couple should walk through: childcare, housing, income, healthcare, everyday costs, education savings, and long-term costs. They land on a short list of questions worth asking before making the big decision. What's the monthly cash flow margin? Is there an emergency cushion? Does this feel affordable, or merely survivable? Here’s the thing, though. Spreadsheets can help to inform a decision like this, but they shouldn't be the end-all-be-all. A child isn’t just another investment. They’re more than that. And so when it comes to the choice of whether or not to have baby number two, more ground can be covered with good old-fashioned communication between husband and wife than any document filled with calculations ever could! Key Topics: Why the Second Time Feels Different (06:12) Age Gaps, Village-Building, and Career Timing (11:53) The Motherhood Pay Gap, Up Close (18:00) Seven Financial Categories, Mapped Out (19:43) Housing, Cars, and Kicking the Can Down the Road (26:21) Income Shifts and the Reduced-Hours Question (28:57) The 529 Guilt Trip and Long-Term Costs (32:03) The Real Questions Before Deciding (34:43) Resources: Learn more about Portland's Preschool For All Program: https://multco.us/programs/preschool-all Schedule a Free Consultation Here: https://www.equalvoices.co/start Join our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest financial resources: https://www.equalvoices.co/contact Natalie Slagle, CFP®, and Dan Slagle, CFP®, are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Equal Voices Wealth https://www.equalvoices.co/ — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s, 40s, and 50s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together. At Equal Voices, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals. Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit https://www.equalvoices.co/legal