Got the "but who will take care of you" speech from my aunt at Easter and I finally had a real answer
I'm 34, no kids, not planning on any. My family has mostly accepted it at this point except for my aunt Linda who brings it up every single holiday without fail. This Easter she cornered me in the kitchen while I was making coffee and launched into it again. The usual stuff, "you'll change your mind," "you don't know what you're missing," and then the classic, "but who's going to take care of you when you're old?"
And I just though t you know what, I actually have an answer this time. I looked at her and said "I have a financial advisor, a retirement account, and I'm researching good assisted living options in warm climates. Also I'll be able to afford them." She blinked. I kept going, genuinley on a roll at that point. I said "my friends with kids are putting literally everything into school and activities and after school stuff right now, I've been maxing out my contributions for eight years."
She didn't really have anything to say to that. She kind of laughed it off and went back to the living room. My mom heard the whole thing from the next room and later whispered "that was actually a really good answer."
Look I'm not saying my retired life will be perfect or that I have it all figured out. But the idea that having kids is some kind of retirement strategy is just wild to me. They're people not a pension plan. I just want to drink my coffee on Easter without a life audit from someone who definitely did not plan her own retirement.