Parent Like a Millionaire (Without Being One): Outsmart Big Baby, Save on Childcare, and Secure Your Family's Financial Future

by Kristy Shen, Bryce Leung

From two leaders of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, an essential guide to the finances of having and raising kids no matter the size of your budget

New parents are often stressed about their finances. Even Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung—who both retired at age 30 with over a million dollars in the bank—worried about the cost of becoming parents. Leaders of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement, Kristy and Bryce may not be experts at parenting, but they are experts at saving.

In this book, they reveal how

Make your money work harder than you doAvoid the pressure to buy baby gear you don’t needFind your nest, optimize transportation, and hack childcareGo on unlimited family vacationsGive your child a world-class education
Each chapter in this book is filled with money-saving tips—and more money means less stress, which leads to happier families. The financial advice in this book is tailored to help you reduce your stress so that your family can thrive.

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Parenting

304 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Despite growing up in poverty and, at one point, living with her family on 44 cents a day, Kristy eventually became a millionaire at the age of 31 and retired from her job to travel the world. Her story has been featured in media outlets all over the world, including the New York Times, CBC, CNBC, Women's Health Magazine Australia, Germany’s Handelsblatt, GQ Russia, and the UK Independent. She now spends time helping people with their finances and realizing their travel dreams on www.millennial-revolution.com. She is the co-author of "Quit Like a Millionaire", the book that details her journey from 44 cents to becoming a world-travelling millionaire.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was ok. I liked their other book better, but did appreciate how this is basically a couple sharing their own 'parenting hacks' on the subject of finance, and I mean thanks for sharing instead of privately hoarding the info!

- A lot of this seems like common sense to me, but then again I've been surprised at how much the rest of the world doesn't seem to share the same 'common sense' viewpoint on basic financial literacy, so maybe it's not common sense to other people idk.
- I found the 'plant money trees' chapter mildy annoying. "Instead of spending $480 on a baby related purchase, instead invest 12k and that will passively make $480k FOR you that you can use for your purchase!" ... Except how are these people supposed to just 'Get' 12k to invest without working for years before having children? This is briefly acknowledged, "Planting your first money tree can be a daunting task, esepcially if you've never invested before. Plus the initial price tag can be intimidating: $12k? Who has that kind of cash just lying around, especially as a new parent? Thats why its important to maximize the value you get for every dollar you spend on your child ...' she goes on to talk about how you can save 20% by signing up for subscriptions. ... Ok, so where are they supposed to get the 9.6k money tree then after saving 20%? Idk. Fortunately for our family this wasn't a financial struggle, but I can see how reading this without being int hat position would be a bit infuriating.
- I did like the section about weighted average scores for comparing purchases (List the metrics of comparison, but then assign a weight to the metrics that are most important.) discussed in the 'buying a car' section. I think i will use this method in the future because usually if i compare stuff side by side they all end up with the same number of pros and cons and then im Still stuck at square 1 wondering which to choose!
- Learned from the chapter about re-positioning cruises and cruiseplum deals
- The final 'afterward' he wrote about his father had me in tears and was beautiful.

That is all!

[Brian Herriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about the financial side of having kids, written specifically for people who are trying to achieve financial freedom early and wonder if a family would blow that up. Kristy Shen (and Bryce Leung) answer that question directly, with Kristy's wonderful wit and sass.

"Big Baby" is a great framing. :-) It's Kristy's name for the baby-related industrial complex, and she dismantles it with sharp logic. The book covers child tax credits, 529 plans, wills, and the financial planning that becomes more urgent the moment you have a kid. It's a practical and well-organized book.

The authors spend real time on slow travel, world schooling, and geoarbitrage, which is unique and a welcome addition. Most personal finance books barely touch these. Kristy and Bryce have lived this, and it shows.

There's also a chapter on handling the opinions people love to share when they find out you're living less conventionally than convention expects. This is validating, practical, and something most books skip.

Finally, the epilogue is worth mentioning. Epilogues are often wasted pages in nonfiction, but not here. Bryce writes something thoughtful and meaningful about what fatherhood really means to him. It's a quiet, beautiful ending that earns its place.

If you're on the path to financial freedom and someone keeps asking "yeah, but what about when you have kids?", this is the book.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some sound financial advice for parents in here. I learned some tips and tricks about insurance, HSA, taxes, etc. that I didn't know before, even though I've been down the Financial Independence rabbit hole at different points.

What I will say is this—the book assumes knowledge of FIRE practices, so if you haven't read on that topic, you will probably need to do additional research to fully understand all the financial recommendations. It also assumes you want to live out FIRE practices, such as living in a foreign country and renting instead of buying a home, etc. So, if you are not interested in that lifestyle or cannot do those things for whatever reason, whole chapters of the book won't apply to you.

I also didn't like the author's tone. I think she was going for relatable and BFF-ish, but there was so much ragging on parenthood and flippant/dismissive language about non-FIRE values that are completely valid for a parent to hold.

I did, however, really appreciate the conclusion of the book, which was written by her husband and talks about how FIRE can buy you time with loved ones, which is the most important resource. I wish he'd written the book in his kinder, less dramatic voice instead.

[JF · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not pleased. Read their other book "Quit like a Millionaire" instead (if you have already read their first book, you will not get much more by reading this one)

I found this book very repetitive. Clear that they have one toddler. Curious how their thoughts will change when they have another; and then again when the kids are older. Example: She offers "travel hacks" for young kids - she does not broach the subject of continuing to travel when a teenager wants to stay put

Was looking forward to the "world schooling" section, but it read like a world schooling parent trying to convince her relatives that the kids will turn out fine.

This book offers a lot of resources for CURRENT options (apps, housing resources, deals) - but will become out-date very soon.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for beginners in the FI world/journey. For the savvier folks there’s not a ton to learn here but good review/reminders. I feel like this should’ve gifted at baby showers instead of onesies. Same cost, but immensely different value.

Love that others see how horrid “big baby” is on preying on our insecurities. As an expecting parent I’ve been amazed at how much marketing hits my inbox and screens.

Appreciate the commentary on US vs Canada. Found that eye opening.

I wish there were more content about high earners and taxes as many of the benefits/savings tools cited phase out.

Overall a solid primer and appreciate the heartfelt closing.

[Angel Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished the book and it was really good!
Even though I had already read their previous book, plus many more financial indepence books, I finished this book and have many notes on things I want to look further. Also, that ending! very emotional for sure, puts things in perspective.
I would recomend this book for expecting or new parents in USA or Canada, since they will benefit the most from all the information and ideas from this book. I live in Germany and some things didn't apply here (but still good to read for the other parts that did apply)

[Jquick99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a very good book to people who are just starting/learning to invest. I suggest to get the book (instead of audiobook) from the library so you can easily page forward to get to the meat + you don’t have to hear the author say things like “ten thousand dollars time two equals twenty thousand dollars” and “four thousand two hundred thirty six plus eight thousand six hundred twenty four equals…” over and over and over again.

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have them in the same room as you in the first year

Buy used clothes--throw up, soiled, drooled upon, and outgrow quickly

Don't put out forest fires, plant money trees
Plant money tree: FIRE - 25x the cost of the yearly amount = 450 for diapers per year = 11,250 to have it covered (4% withdrawal); subscription save $90 = 2,250 from your portfolio (11,250-2,250 = 9000 = 360 a year)

Emotionally manipulative - more you spend the more you care; same or better experience, but cheaper (Big Baby)

Ride the depreciation curve

Don't quit because daycare cost, calculate the difference over decades

Geographic arbitrage; world schooling

Go with public schools: the most important factor determining university attendance is if another parent has gone.

Canadian child benefit (tax credit); daycare may be claimable; never turn down free money

RESP: 2,500 a year to get $500; total of 7,200 match from the government. Max is 50k contributions.

Have a will-Willful $100 to~2,000

Primary residence with the child living in it is exempted from capital gains once sold in Canada(?)

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing to read a book that does not give into "Big baby". Helpful comparisons about the difference in casts when you buy brand new or second hand some baby items. Also, a great advertisement for their first book" quit like a millionaire". This book definitely made me want to read their first book to learn more.

[Morgan Towers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was reading to come up with realistic ways to budget for a family. I had to stop after chapter 2 when they talked about feeding their son solids at 6 months which isn’t recommended by any pediatricians.. or buying discounted food that is almost expired and freezing. I wish I could give this no stars, this is not healthy

[Robert Sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid follow up to their first book, this one focuses on mitigating the expenses of having kids. They have several great ideas, several wonky ones, and a large number that may or may not hold up over time as laws and regulations change. If you are a new parent, this is worth the time.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for those who are looking to leverage their life.

[Kayla Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t meet my expectations - some good information, however a lot was repetitive or not applicable to my situation hence the two stars.

[Mattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some gems but overall nothing revolutionary, didn’t take much away personally