Is Having Kids in Your 20s a Financial Mistake?
The episode opens with a strong take from Jack Henderson, who claims that having children before the age of 30 is a bad decision financially.
According to Jack, the reasons are simple:
- You’re only just starting your career
- Having a child often means one income disappears temporarily
- Children add long-term financial pressure
- You lose time and money that could go toward investing or buying property
Carbz challenges the statement:
“I’ve got three kids. If Jack offered me all his properties in exchange for never having had them, I wouldn’t make that trade.”
PJ adds context from Coposit Street interviews. Young women often mention saving for future children. Young men are more focused on saving for property. Both are planning ahead, but in different ways.
The main takeaway here is that everyone’s goals are different. For some, starting a family young brings lifelong fulfilment. For others, delaying parenthood helps them establish financial security first. Neither path is wrong. What matters is choosing based on your own goals.
Are Apartments a Bad First Investment?
The next TikTok clip focused on a Perth apartment that sold in 2024 for $820,000, down from its original purchase price of $891,000 in 2017. With strata fees, stamp duty and selling costs, the owner lost well over $100,000.
PJ responds quickly:
“If apartments are the only thing someone can afford, saying they’re a bad investment is unfair.”
Carbz agrees and brings in a real example from his own suburb. He found a two-bedroom apartment that sold for $280,000 in 2004, dropped to $240,000 in 2008 during the GFC, then recently sold for $1.7 million.
Their point is clear. Property investment is a long-term game. Yes, apartments often grow slower than houses due to the lower land value. But if that is what you can afford, they can still be a smart step into the market.
Also, strata fees may look like a cost, but they cover building upkeep. If you own a freestanding home, you’ll still have to pay for plumbing, painting, repairs and more. It’s just packaged differently.
Real Insights from Coposit Street
PJ shared fresh data from recent Coposit Street interviews. Early insights show that:
- Young men are more focused on saving for property
- Young women are prioritising travel and life experiences
This tells us that values, goals and planning differ by gender and age. Financial advice should reflect that.
Building Wealth Doesn’t Start with Millions
The last clip featured a 30-year-old who has saved around $20,000 in cash and roughly $200,000 in crypto, ETFs and stocks. His approach? Consistency.
He’s been putting away $500 each month into investments and crypto since 2017, learning along the way.
Carbz and PJ highlight that this kind of story is valuable. Most people don’t grow up learning about personal finance. It is not taught in schools. But starting small and sticking to a habit makes all the difference.
“You don’t need to start with $500 a month. Start with what you can. Even $25 a week adds up.”
They also encourage more people to have real conversations with friends, mentors and family. Talking about money shouldn’t be taboo. It helps you learn and grow. That is exactly why Property Now and Coposit Street exist—to get Australians talking about finance, property and future planning in a real and accessible way.
So, What’s the Answer?
There is no single answer.
Should you have kids in your 20s? Maybe. Should you wait until your 30s? Maybe. Should you buy an apartment if that’s all you can afford? Maybe.
It all depends on your goals, your priorities and your financial situation.
What Carbz and PJ both agree on is this:
- Know your goals
- Plan around them
- Start with what you can
- Be consistent
- Talk about it
And if Coposit can help make that first property purchase more accessible, with no loan and no interest, even better.
