How do we simplify our finances so we can live our best, most fulfilling lives—when kids are not part of the equation? That’s exactly what we explored with Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®, and author of The Childfree Guide to Life & Money.
At our latest PARALLEL Book Talk event, we packed the house with 50 curious minds, all eager to rethink traditional financial planning through a childfree lens. Dr. Jay flew in from Nashville to drop some nontraditional wisdom. We didn’t talk technicalities around stocks, retirement accounts, or budgeting tips. Instead, we dove into something even more important—life planning first, financial planning second.
Bucking the Standard Life Script
Most financial advice assumes you’ll follow the classic life script:
🏫 Go to school → 💼 Get a job → 💍 Get married → 🏡 Buy a house → 👶 HAVE KIDS → 🎉 Retire → 💰 Pass on wealth to your kids.
But what if that’s not your life, or not your plan?
Without kids in the picture, your time, freedom, and flexibility expand exponentially—which means you have more options to design life on your terms. So, regardless of how old you are, ask yourself: What do you want to be when you grow up?
From FIRE to FILE
Many people chase FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)—working hard now to retire young. But for the childfree crowd, Dr. Jay introduced a new concept:
🔥 FILE: Financial Independence, LIVE Early.
Instead of postponing joy until retirement, FILE is all about maximizing life now—traveling, pursuing passions, and shaping your ideal lifestyle while you're young and healthy.
Planning for Your Future Self
Without kids to rely on later in life, some financial plans become even more crucial:
✅ Long-Term Care Planning – Who will support you as you age? This was a major eye-opener for many attendees.
✅ Estate Planning – It’s not just about who gets your stuff—it’s about who makes critical decisions for you if you can’t. (Hint: Set up your Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, and Executor of Will ASAP!)
The Vibe at the Event? Friendly and Curious.
We gathered in the most charming little bookstore, Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica, with attendees ranging from their 30s to their 70s. But what was most interesting is that…
1️⃣ No matter the age, everyone resonated with the idea of designing life on their terms.
2️⃣ The realization that “winding down wealth” (aka spending, not saving) can be an exciting shift in mindset.
3️⃣ Many attendees walked away feeling both validated and inspired—because they finally had a financial framework that fit their lifestyle.
Want to dive deeper into Dr. Jay’s insights? Find his book on Amazon or visit ChildfreeWealth.com for more resources.
What’s Next?
Our PARALLEL Speaker Series is all about bringing you thought-provoking, heart-provoking, and life-changing conversations.
What topics or guest speakers would YOU love to see next? Drop a comment and let us know!