You know, there's more to life than being really, really ridiculously good looking... I just have to figure out what that is...

Well heck yeah,when you have no dependants you have alot more disposable income! Duh!
I did read though several years ago,and I believe it was at IMLP, that the average IM participant has a family income over $100,000 a year.
I wonder how much they give to charity?

The number seemed high to me also...however: You would have to look at numbers participating by age group. If the 18 to 30 demographic (no kids or yet unmarried) and the folks from age 50 up (Kids grown and gone or single again) are included it could be up there. Include all others throughout all the age groups who are single again (divorced) with no kids or no custody and that adds even more.
Sounds like a Poll thread to me!

I have 4 dependents, but I'd say realistically its more like my wife has 4.

Anton & JSV are right -- the issue of dependents is all about impact on training time. A few years ago while my stepson was still at home I'd have told you I have one child at home, and being a parent to him definitely impacted my time and priorities. Now, the answer is "I have one grown stepson but no children", meaning my time is now my own (except for the 3 dogs, of course!).

The income thing makes sense, too. Again, look at the costs involved in even a simple race fee. Yeah, in theory all you need is a swim suit, bike and sneakers. But in reality all the other little things start creeping in even before you get to the big money for carbon bikes, powermeters, etc... Take a look around the parking lot at your next race. Not many older model cars...many more late model SUVs proportionately.

Racing seriously with kids is tough, finding time to train, balancing it with kids and the rest of life (and we homeschool, so there's no break for me during the day when the kids would be in school). So far I've done triathlons for 10 years with kids and 10 years before that without kids, and without kids was far easier to find time, energy, and money to train.

Of course, I wouldn't trade having kids for anything, including all the races I could ever do!!! But there's a reason I'm only planning on doing an IM every 5 years until my kids are grown.

I race, ... but not so seriously :D
I have my 2 daugters. half the time.
When they are not with me, I make the most of my free time and work in my training.
When they are with me I do active stuff with them too.

It does involve a little sleep deprivation too.

But it does make you ridiculously good looking, or am I taking crazy pills?

Not to come across like a control nazi, but it seems that a lot of people dont read the instruction manual for their kid carriers (not sayin this is necessarily you.) The manufacturers of most carriers recommend that kids dont ride in carriers untill they can fit into a toddler helmet (you dont mention how old your kid is...) This is not just for helmet wearing purposes, but babies can get pretty ratteled around in those, and can lead to shaken baby syndrome (yes it has happened.)

speaking of statistics i learned in one of my stats courses that 59% of all stats are made up.

I'm a DINK and loving it! My husband and I travel, race, bowl, eat, dance, go to concerts, movies, shopping, and generally screw around. There are pros and cons to everything...

Seriously now people none of the stats should suprise you. Let me just look at my bill for IM AZ.

2K for the bike (used bike)
1.5K for expenses for the bike (tires, hydration systems, pedals, shoes, trainer and this is cheap stuff on sale)
400 in shoes (replaced two sets of Asic's gel kayanos in training and the third I am goign to break in before the tri)
300 in various tri apparel that you tear through in the year (trisuit, bike apparel ect...)
600 for the gym time and swimming equipment
500 in plane tickets (for me and the cheering section my wife)
800 in hotel fees (and I am only staying thursday to tuesday at embassy suites not some super nice hotel)
200 in the rental car fee's when I land
500 in race fees
200 in tribike transport

Thats 7000 and the only thing I keep from it all is the bike...

and several hundred or possibly thousands you kill in special endurance nutrition and various crap that I am not even going to mention...

This is not a cheap game to play to run the IM. Trust me my wife has reminded me a few times.

times 2 for us since we both are doing IM now. Add to it 2-3 marathons a year,and well you get the idea. :eek:
No kids and we can afford it, you only live once

Homer:
"Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent.
Forty percent of all people know that."

There are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics... -Mark Twain

You got that right PoC...

Not sure where to slot myself....
WOOPIE or a PIPPIE
Either way it is the hard work of my now deceased parents that lets have a little extra money for playing.
Thanks Mom and Dad!

Well Off Older Person
or
Person Inheriting Parents' Property
(a thanks to "Schott's Original Miscellany")