In our very first episode, we're tackling the question every parent asks: are kids actually more expensive than ever? Yes?but the reason might surprise you. We hear from an economist who reframes what that actually means for your family's finances (hint: you're not burning money, you're investing it), and a mom of three who proves you don't need a huge home, a fancy car, or a perfectly curated nursery to raise a happy family. Because here's the truth: kids will flip your finances upside down. And they're worth every penny. Let's get into it. Corinne Low (@corinnelowphd) is an Associate Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School. Her book Having It All (Flatiron) is a USA Today national bestseller, and her research has been published in top journals including the American Economic Review and Journal of Political Economy. Amil Niazi (@amilniazi) is a writer and producer. She writes The Cut?s series on parenting, The Hard Part, and covers work and motherhood and how the two intersect. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post.