Maternity Leave Budget Plan
Parental leave often means less income at the same time new baby costs start. Planning a budget ahead of time makes those months less stressful. Start by finding out exactly what your employer, any state program and any disability coverage will pay, and for how many weeks, so you can estimate your take-home pay during leave. Then list your regular bills alongside new expenses such as diapers, feeding supplies and medical copays. The gap between what comes in and what goes out tells you how much to save before the baby arrives. Practicing the leave budget for a month or two beforehand is a good test, and saving the difference builds your cushion.
Practical tips
- Confirm leave pay, length and timing with your employer and any state program.
- Estimate take-home pay for each month of leave.
- List fixed bills and new baby expenses side by side.
- Calculate the monthly gap and multiply by the months of leave.
- Try living on the leave budget for a month before the baby arrives.
- Trim or pause nonessential subscriptions during leave.
Free calculator
Try the Baby Cost Calculator with your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I save for maternity leave?
Estimate your monthly shortfall during leave and multiply it by the number of months you expect to be off.
Is maternity leave paid?
It depends on your employer, your state and any insurance you have, so check each source for the details that apply to you.
What costs should I include?
Include regular bills plus diapers, feeding supplies, medical costs and any childcare you will need when you return.