They have “the most spoiled dogs in the world.” They go on 10 vacations a year. They spend hours a day on their favorite hobbies.
They’re DINKs, dual income, no kids, and they’re the 5% of Americans who are living like the new 1%, according to a new Harris Poll survey.
“The data reveals DINKs aren’t just spending more – they’re spending differently, with an emphasis on experiences that enhance their partnerships and personal growth,” Libby Rodney, Chief Strategy Officer at The Harris Poll said in a statement alongside the new survey. “It’s a segment that’s redefined discretionary spending as an investment in life experience.”
What’s a DINK? And why do they have so much money?
The term DINK, sometimes also referred to as double income, no kids, has been around for a while, first exploding in the yuppy days of yore (the 80s). But the term has resurfaced, going viral on TikTok in late 2023 as Millennial and Gen Z couples share that they’re putting off or entirely avoiding having kids, with the costs of child-rearing cited as a major factor.
The Harris Poll survey found that 61% of DINKs have a household income of over $100,000. The median net worth of a couple with no children was around $399,000 in 2022, over $100,000 more than it was in 2019 and around $150,000 more than couples with children.
While couples with children actually tend to make more money, they end up with a lower net worth because they’re faced with more debt than their childless counterparts, research shows.
Will DINKs ever have children? It depends on the couple
According to the survey, 65% of Gen Z and Millennial DINKs plan to have children eventually, with 37% aiming to within the next five years. In the meantime, they’re spending on luxury and premium experiences in dining, travel, and personal development products.
“The rise of DINKs isn’t a rejection of parenthood – it’s a generation’s response to economic trauma, turning financial security into the ultimate luxury,” Rodney said.
There’s even an acronym for these DINKs who plan to become parents: DINKY, or dual income, no kids yet. If you’re single, you’d be a SINK (single income, no kids) or a SINKY (single income, no kids yet.)
It’s unclear how many people are really using all these other acronyms. But the DINK hashtag on TikTok boasts tens of thousands of posts, with videos racking up tens of millions of views.
What are DINKs spending their money on? Luxury, travel, and personal growth
DINKs, whom the report calls the 5% that’s the new 1%, are reshaping consumer trends with their financial flexibility and high discretionary spending. On average, they spend four times more on dining each month than other Americans ($816 vs. $215) and allocate nearly double the typical budget for vacations, investing around $2,000 per trip.
Their child-free lifestyle fuels frequent travel and personal growth, with 88% directing their income toward enriching experiences and self-development, while 76% credit their child-free status for enabling these pursuits. This spending power positions DINKs as a key audience for luxury brands, financial services, and quality-of-life upgrades.
For the record, many DINKs have expanded to call themselves DINKWADs, “dual income, no kids with a dog.” That sparked an entire viral trend of videos posted from dogs’ perspectives as the “spoiled” only child.
Spoiling beloved pets isn’t the only perk DINKs say comes with their lifestyle. DINK couples who Fortune spoke to previously said their choice was prompted by a range of reasons: pursuing passions, financial freedom, or a focus on their careers.
A report from Credit Karma earlier this year echoed the sentiment, finding a quarter of American women are delaying having children in order to focus on their careers, a figure that correlates to the number of women who earn more than their partners.
Why some people oppose the DINK lifestyle, including Elon Musk
Still, the DINK lifestyle isn’t without its critics.
Elon Musk, the CEO and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, recently warned society “will crumble” if younger generations don’t start having more kids. The billionaire, who is father to 12 children by three different women, also said last month that people “worry too much” and should “just have kids.”
“I think people worry too much about having kids, and it’s sometimes difficult to make ends meet and whatnot,” said Musk during a pro-Trump rally in October. “But honestly, there’s really no time like the present. Just have kids. You won’t be sorry. It’ll work out.”
Whether society will “crumble” remains to be seen, but reports do show a lower birth rate could impact overall GDP. The resulting drop in GDP from this aging population could be as much as 4%, James Pomeroy, HSBC’s global economist, previously told Business Insider.
Read more of Fortune’s coverage on DINK trends:
America’s new 1%: Free-spending DINKs shelling out for a luxury lifestyle of vacations and take-out
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer