In this episode of Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell sits down with Jason Leong from PocketSmith to unpack one of the biggest pressure points for modern households: childcare and education costs.
Using PocketSmith’s Global Spending Map, they compare what families are spending across Australia, New Zealand and the US and explain why childcare can feel like a second mortgage. They unpack how subsidies shape Australia, why New Zealand costs are rising, and what the data says about the cost-of-living squeeze on parents.
But this is not just about big numbers. Gemma and Jason explore the real trade-offs behind those bills: going back to work, public versus private schooling, and why childcare should be assessed as a whole-of-family money decision rather than a simple net-income test.
They also cover the factors households often miss, including tax, superannuation, career momentum, workplace flexibility and the mental load that can sit behind family planning. For couples thinking about children, they argue that earlier conversations about values, lifestyle and money can prevent stress later.
If you want a practical, data-backed conversation about raising kids and planning ahead, this episode offers a clearer way to think about the real cost of family life in Australia.
