Should You Have a Third Child? How to Think Through the Decision

Should You Have a Third Child? How to Think Through the Decision

Author: Andy Hill April 8, 2026 Duration: 35:00
Should you have a third child? And how can you help your kids graduate college debt-free? In this episode, we explore one of life’s most personal decisions: whether to grow your family. We walk through a thoughtful 7-step framework to help you and your partner decide if a third child is right for you—covering emotional readiness, relationship strength, finances, and the value of time. Then, we’re joined by educator and author Shelley Branine to talk about how families can avoid student loan debt. We dive into why college costs have skyrocketed and how strategies like dual enrollment can help students earn college credits in high school—often at little to no cost. If you’re thinking about expanding your family or planning for your child’s education, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps. Resources and Links 📚 📖My new book, "Own Your Time"  https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon 📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at ⁠marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail⁠ to have your question answered on the show! 💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources ⁠⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources⁠⁠ 👉Connect with me on social media: LinkedIn: ⁠AndyHillMKM⁠ Instagram: ⁠MarriageKidsAndMoney⁠ CREDITS Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill brings a refreshingly honest and practical voice to the often stressful conversation about money within a family. In Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families, Andy, an award-winning Family Finance Coach, moves beyond generic budgeting advice to tackle the real financial questions that parents and couples face every day. This isn't just about spreadsheets and interest rates; it's about aligning your finances with the life you actually want to live. You'll hear specific strategies for paying off debt, saving for college, investing for the future, and having those crucial money talks with your partner. The goal is to transform financial anxiety into purposeful action, creating not just stability but genuine freedom. Each episode of the podcast feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who understands that financial decisions are deeply personal and intertwined with family goals. Whether you're just starting out or well on your journey, the discussions here provide a roadmap for building security today and considering the legacy you might leave tomorrow. Tune in for relatable stories, actionable tips, and the encouragement needed to make meaningful progress with your money, all with your family's unique vision at the center.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families
Podcast Episodes
Pay Off the Mortgage or Invest? What Should Come First [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:19
Should you invest your extra money or use it to pay off your mortgage early? In this episode, we tackle that question from Brian, a 35-year-old dad with two kids and an extra $1,000 per month. His ultimate goal isn't sim…
Bread & Wine: The Emotional Roller Coaster of Starting a Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:19
Nicole left her corporate career six weeks ago to launch her own skincare studio. So... was it the right decision? In this Bread & Wine conversation, we pour a glass, get honest about the emotional highs and lows of entr…
After 10 Years, I'm Taking the Summer Off [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:51
This summer marks 10 years of Marriage Kids and Money. Back in 2016, I launched this podcast with a simple goal: help families build wealth and create more freedom. Over the past decade, we've shared hundreds of conversa…
$2.2 Million Net Worth at 35 in Washington | Emily Egashira [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Emily Egashira grew her family’s net worth to $2.2 million by age 35. But her story didn’t start there. Growing up in poverty, Emily experienced financial instability firsthand and was determined to create a different fu…
I've Reached Coast FIRE ... Now What Do I Do For Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
What happens after you reach Coast FIRE? For years, you save aggressively, maximize retirement accounts, and build wealth with one goal in mind: hitting your investment goal. But once you arrive at Coast FIRE—Coast to Fi…
Mortgage Free in New Jersey on a $750k Home | Bobby Richardson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
What would it feel like to never make a mortgage payment again? In this episode, we talk with Bobby Richardson from New Jersey about how he and his wife Alexandra paid off their $242,000 mortgage in just 10 years and bec…
$1.8 Million Net Worth at 34 in Illinois | Ben Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Ben Johnson grew his family’s net worth to $1.8 million by age 34 through high income skills, consistent investing, and disciplined saving. In this episode, we discuss how Ben and his wife paid off $80,000 of debt in jus…
I Know I’m Coast FIRE… So Why Can’t I Slow Down? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
Have you reached Coast FIRE (Coast to Financial Independence and Relax Early)… but still can’t bring yourself to slow down? Today’s listener, Chris, is in that exact spot. At 36 years old with $860,000 invested, two youn…