In this episode of the Parenting & Finances series on the Worth Listening Podcast, Lauryn Williams and Chloe Moore open up an often-overlooked conversation about money and life without children. They explore what it really means to be childfree or childless, the importance of using thoughtful language, and why these distinctions matter—both personally and financially.

Together, Lauryn and Chloe discuss how financial planning can look different when children aren't part of the picture, touching on lifestyle flexibility, long-term decision-making, and the unique considerations that often get missed in traditional money conversations. They also address some of the challenges that come with navigating systems and expectations that aren't always designed with childfree adults in mind.

The episode expands the idea of family, legacy, and impact—highlighting how community, care, and purpose can show up in many forms. At its core, this conversation is a reminder that financial planning isn't about following a prescribed path, but about building a life that reflects your values and choices.

Key Takeaways

• The difference between childfree, childless, and not-yet parents—and why it matters

• How being childfree can shape cash flow, housing, and lifestyle flexibility

• Why taxes, benefits, and laws often disadvantage single or childfree adults

• Retirement planning options when you're not planning to leave money to children

• Insurance considerations, including disability and long-term care

• Estate planning challenges when default templates assume spouses and descendants

• How community, caregiving, and legacy can look different—and still be deeply meaningful
  
  

Links & Resources Mentioned

• MSU study finds number of US nonparents who never want children is growing - https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/04/msu-study-finds-number-of-us-nonparents-who-never-want-children-is-growing

• Childfree Academy - https://childfreewealth.com/childfree-academy/

• The Childfree Wealth® Podcast - https://childfreewealth.com/podcasts/

• Childfree Bingo - https://bingobaker.com/view/496736

• Solo by Peter McGraw - https://petermcgraw.org/books/solo-the-best-single-living-book/

• Die With Zero by Bill Perkins - https://www.diewithzerobook.com/welcome

Money Quotes

"As a mentor and an advocate, I've seen no end to the ways that childless people can contribute to the lives and well-being of kids—and adults, for that matter." — Megan Daum

"I would rather regret not having kids than have kids and regret that." — Allison Janney

Ready to take control of your financial future?

Join Lauryn Williams at the Welcome to Wealth Retreat in Medellin, Colombia! Build a personalized financial plan while experiencing an incredible new culture. Click here to reserve your spot today!

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Chloe on Instagram: @financialstaples

• Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloemoore

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

In this powerful Money Memoir episode, Lauryn Williams sits down with nurse, mom of three, and financial educator Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, to talk about what it really looks like to build wealth—starting with very little.

Naseema shares how growing up with a single father and limited financial guidance shaped her early money mindset, how she navigated college financing without understanding the true cost, and how she eventually paid off nearly $1 million in debt—only to later rebuild intentionally and reach a seven-figure net worth.

This conversation goes far beyond numbers. Naseema opens up about motherhood as a turning point in her financial life, why she chose freedom over climbing the corporate ladder, and how she's raising her daughters to understand money through modeling, investing, and real-life conversations—starting as early as toddlerhood.

You'll also hear practical insights on student loans, investing while paying off debt, 529 plans, teaching kids about ownership versus consumption, and what financial independence really means when your goal is time with your family—not just retirement at 65.

If you're a parent (or future parent) who wants to break generational patterns around money and raise financially confident kids, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• How childhood money messages shape adult financial behavior

• Why Naseema chose freedom and flexibility over career prestige

• What paying off nearly $1 million in debt actually looked like

• Why "good debt" is still debt—and how mindset matters

• How Naseema teaches her kids about investing, ownership, and money habits

• Creative, age-appropriate ways to introduce investing to children

• How 529 plans can function as a long-term family education fund

• What financial independence looks like when time is the real goal

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Financially Intentional: financiallyintentional.com

• Free Monthly Trainings: financiallyintentional.com/class

• Stockpile Investing App: stockpile.com

• Acorns Early (formerly Acorns Early / GoHenry-style allowance tools): acorns.com

• 529 College Savings Plans - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/529-plans-questions-and-answers

Follow Us on Social Media

Follow Naseema on Instagram: @financiallyintentional

Join the Financially Intentional group on Facebook: @financiallyintentional

Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If this episode got you thinking differently about money, freedom, and the life you want to build, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Join Lauryn Williams in one of her upcoming programs or retreats designed to help you build a financial plan that supports your real life—not just a spreadsheet.

Learn more at worth-winning.com.

In this Parenting and Finances Money Memoir, Lauryn Williams sits down with fellow Certified Financial Planner™ and mom of two, Rianka R. Dorsainvil, CFP®, for a real conversation about motherhood, money, and what it costs to build a "village" in today's world.

Rianka shares how growing up with limited resources shaped her commitment to building something different for her own family. Now a successful firm owner, she talks about what generational wealth looks like in practice, why food security is part of that picture, and how she and her husband think about saving and investing for their children.

Lauryn and Rianka also dig into the realities of working motherhood. They talk about hyper independence, dropping expectations of how family will show up, and why so many modern parents end up paying for childcare, aftercare, nannies, or au pairs so they can keep doing work they love. They also touch on broken parental leave policies, the mismatch between school schedules and work hours, and how to decide whether it makes sense for one parent to step back from paid work.

If you are a current or future parent trying to reconcile ambition, income, and your desire to be present with your kids, this episode will help you feel seen and remind you that if it feels hard, you are probably doing it right.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How Rianka's early experiences shaped her definition of generational wealth for her own family.

• Why so many parents rely on a "paid village" and how childcare costs impact financial planning.

• The struggle between hyper independence and learning to ask for help as a new mom.

• Why dropping expectations of others can protect your peace during parenthood.

• Key financial prep before kids: leave policies, insurance, childcare, and support systems.

• A reminder that if motherhood feels hard, it often means you're doing it right.

• How becoming a parent can reshape the way financial planners view real-life budgets.

Links & Resources Mentioned​

• Episode 119: Helping Women of Color Get Ahead Financially

Ready to take control of your financial future?

Join Lauryn Williams at the Welcome to Wealth Retreat in Medellin, Colombia! Build a personalized financial plan while experiencing an incredible new culture. Click here to reserve your spot today!

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats here.​

Follow Us on Social Media

Follow Rianka on Instagram: @rianka_d

Connect with Rianka on Twitter: @Rianka_D

Follow Rianka on Facebook: facebook.com/YGCWealth/

Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams