Gurugram couple chooses DINK lifestyle despite earning Rs 36 lakh annually, shares why
A Gurugram couple chose the DINK (Double Income No Kids) lifestyle despite having a collective income of Rs 36 lakh annually, and shared the reasons behind their decision on social media.
A Gurugram-based couple opened up about why they were choosing not to have children, despite what several would consider a financially stable life, adding fuel to the growing “DINK” (Double Income, No Kids) trend among urban professionals.
In a post shared by the Instagram page plotlandguide, the couple recounted how their 35-year-old cousin and his wife earn a combined monthly income of 3 lakh, 2 lakh and 1 lakh respectively. “On paper, they’re doing well,” they wrote. However, the couple’s reasoning painted a very different picture.
The man explained his decision candidly: he simply couldn't afford the life he believed a child deserves in a city like Gurugram. “I can’t even afford a decent 1BHK in Gurugram. How do I find more space for a child when I can’t even afford enough space for myself, and how do I budget an extra 30-40k a month for private schooling?” he said.
The post dived into a broader shift where more couples were consciously opting for a DINK lifestyle, not necessarily out of preference alone, but due to mounting financial pressures.
They added that when someone earning 36 lakh a year still felt financially stretched, the issue might lie in a “structurally broken real estate market” rather than individual income.
Take a look at the post here:
As the post gained traction on social media, several users echoed similar issues, saying that the rising cost of housing, education, and overall urban living was making parenthood feel increasingly out of reach, even for dual-income households.
Others pointed out that beyond money, modern urban couples were also weighing factors like time, energy, and mental bandwidth. With demanding careers and long work hours, several users added that raising a child wasn't just a financial commitment, but an emotional and lifestyle one too.
The discussion in the comments section reflected a visible cultural shift, where the DINK model was no longer seen as unconventional but, for many, a practical response to the realities of city life.
A Gurugram-based couple opened up about why they were choosing not to have children, despite what several would consider a financially stable life, adding fuel to the growing “DINK” (Double Income, No Kids) trend among urban professionals.
In a post shared by the Instagram page plotlandguide, the couple recounted how their 35-year-old cousin and his wife earn a combined monthly income of 3 lakh, 2 lakh and 1 lakh respectively. “On paper, they’re doing well,” they wrote. However, the couple’s reasoning painted a very different picture.
The man explained his decision candidly: he simply couldn't afford the life he believed a child deserves in a city like Gurugram. “I can’t even afford a decent 1BHK in Gurugram. How do I find more space for a child when I can’t even afford enough space for myself, and how do I budget an extra 30-40k a month for private schooling?” he said.
The post dived into a broader shift where more couples were consciously opting for a DINK lifestyle, not necessarily out of preference alone, but due to mounting financial pressures.
They added that when someone earning 36 lakh a year still felt financially stretched, the issue might lie in a “structurally broken real estate market” rather than individual income.
Take a look at the post here:
As the post gained traction on social media, several users echoed similar issues, saying that the rising cost of housing, education, and overall urban living was making parenthood feel increasingly out of reach, even for dual-income households.
Others pointed out that beyond money, modern urban couples were also weighing factors like time, energy, and mental bandwidth. With demanding careers and long work hours, several users added that raising a child wasn't just a financial commitment, but an emotional and lifestyle one too.
The discussion in the comments section reflected a visible cultural shift, where the DINK model was no longer seen as unconventional but, for many, a practical response to the realities of city life.
