Define the fund before adding numbers
This calculator combines four user-defined planning categories: one-time preparation, expected medical out-of-pocket costs, income replacement during leave, and an initial childcare reserve. It then subtracts money already assigned to the goal.
The categories are prompts, not national averages or recommendations. A household may add, remove, or separately track expenses depending on insurance, employment benefits, family support, location, and existing supplies.
Funding equation
Target equals preparation plus medical plus leave-income replacement plus childcare reserve. Funding gap equals the larger of zero or target minus already saved. Required monthly deposit equals the gap divided by the positive whole number of months remaining.
The calculator no longer substitutes one month when the time field is blank or zero; it asks for a valid planning period.
Loaded example
The demonstration inputs total a $22,300 target. After $7,000 already saved, the gap is $15,300. Across nine months, that is $1,700 per month. These figures test the interface and are not evidence of what another family should spend.
Avoid overlap and false precision
Do not count the same expense in both preparation and childcare reserve. Use take-home income—not gross salary—when estimating a leave-income gap, and reconcile medical amounts with current plan documents and provider estimates. Keep recurring post-arrival expenses in a separate monthly budget.
Revise the plan when benefits, coverage, leave timing, care arrangements, or prices change. A deposit calculation does not determine medical, insurance, employment, or childcare eligibility.
Planning source and related tools
The CFPB's money-goal worksheet provides a general framework for defining a target, amount already saved, and regular contribution. It does not supply baby-cost standards.
Use Baby Monthly Cost for recurring categories and Childcare Cost for a separate care schedule.