My 30s look nothing like I once imagined: no marriage, no homeownership, no children. I've learned to make peace with that.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Santiago Barraza Lopez standing on the edge of a waterline with glaciers in the background
The author is living a life in his 30s that he never imagined for himself.

Courtesy of Santiago Barraza Lopez

I used an $80,000 inheritance from my uncle to start a business. Years later, we're approaching $1 million in revenue.

Tech Insider : Business
Steph Mahon headshot
Steph Mahon started her business with her inheritance.

Courtesy of Jonathan Grassi

I'm turning 40, and people keep asking why I don't have children. I have a lot of reasons.

Tech Insider : Business
The author poses on a vista overlooking a city.
Victoria Peel Yates

Courtesy of Victoria Peel Yates.

I'm not ready to tell my mother that I don't plan to have kids. Keeping this secret is hurting our relationship.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Travel
A grandmother holds her grandchild.
 The author thinks her mother (not pictured) expects her to have grandchildren, but she has other plans.

Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez/Getty Images

My wife and I have always known we don't want kids. We want to spend our time doing other things.

Tech Insider : Business, Climate Crisis
Headshot matt jones by fountain
The author and his now-wife don't want biological kids.

Courtesy of the author

My wife and I knew from our first date that we didn't want kids. We've been together for 17 years and lost friends because of our choice.

Tech Insider
Headshot Matthew Walters
Walters and his wife have been together for 17 years

Courtesy of Matthew Walters

We asked 4 DINKs how they make new child-free friends

Tech Insider
Two couples with dogs
On left, Bing Gonzalez with her husband and their dog. On right, Sandra Kushnir with her husband and their dog.

Bing Gonzales/Sandra Kushnir

JD Vance's problem isn't weirdness. It's nastiness.

Tech Insider : Politics
Sen. JD Vance at a rally in Minnesota last weekend
Sen. JD Vance's point about childlessness was actually fairly benign. But the nasty way he framed the issue has left him open to attacks.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Elon Musk hits out at viral videos of DINK couples, saying there's an 'awful morality' to those who choose not to have children

Tech Insider : Economy
Elon Musk and DINK creator Lilly

lillyanne_/TikTok, Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The American nuclear family is officially over

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
Young mother and father walking with baby daughter in stroller on neighborhood sidewalk
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Tony Anderson/Getty Images

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