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. Episode chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:49 Sponsors 02:00 PocketSmith & Global Spending Map 05:31 Childcare Costs Overview 08:21 Planning for a Family 11:04 Forward Planning Tips 19:20 Forecasting Tools 22:08 Tabling What-If Scenarios 30:06 Return to Work Decisions 36:11 Practical Tips Recap 38:12 Next Episode Preview 39:52 Closing Sponsors Episode resources - Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”: https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK - Speak with the Rask Advice team: https://rask.com.au/advice - Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources - Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler - Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 - 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers: https://bit.ly/Pearler Rask resources - All services: https://bit.ly/R-services - Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan - Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest - Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes - Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest - We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg