The story’s original title read, “You can save half a million dollars if you don't have kids,” although it eventually was changed to a slightly less offensive, “Here’s how much you save when you don’t have kids.”

The story’s arguments reflected the headline.

“Your friends may tell you having kids has made them happier,” it read. “They’re probably lying. Research shows that parenthood leads to a happiness gap. Maybe that’s because the pleasures of parenthood are outweighed by all the extra responsibilities, housework and, of course, the costs. Maybe that’s why Americans are having fewer children than ever before. Just how much can you expect to save if you don’t have kids?” ...