Should I buy life insurance now or wait until I have kids?

Buying earlier is almost always cheaper because term life premiums are driven mainly by your age and health, both of which typically worsen over time. Locking in a 20- or 30-year level term policy in your late 20s or early 30s, even before children arrive, secures a low rate and protects your future insurability against conditions you have not yet developed. If your only worry is not needing much coverage yet, you can start with a modest amount and add a policy later. Waiting until a baby arrives means paying more and risking a new diagnosis that raises your rate or disqualifies you. If someone already depends on your income, or you have joint debt, the case for buying now is even stronger.