WF-34 · Working Parents

Working Parent Childcare Planner

The true cost of having a child — from parental leave income gap to childcare tax optimization. Plan your leave, stack your benefits, then minimize ongoing childcare costs.

1
Model the Income Gap During Parental Leave
Stack employer paid leave, state PFL/SDI (CA/NY/NJ/WA/CO/OR), and FMLA unpaid weeks. Find the month-by-month shortfall, savings needed, and post-return recovery timeline.
Salary Negotiation Simulator #92 · AL-92
2
Optimize Dependent Care FSA vs. CDCTC
Find the childcare tax strategy that maximizes your savings: FSA alone, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit alone, or the optimal combination. Includes FICA savings on FSA contributions.
Dependent Care FSA vs. CDCTC Optimizer #130 · AL-137
3
Plan Your Parental Leave Income Bridge
Week-by-week leave schedule stacking all income sources. Know exactly how much savings you need before your due date and how long recovery takes after return.
Parental Leave Income Gap Planner #131 · AL-138
4
Model Total Compensation for Your Return
After leave, model your total comp including new childcare costs, benefits value, and any salary changes. Know your true net take-home before deciding on work schedule and childcare arrangement.
Total Comp Calculator #28 · AL-28

Navigating Leave, Childcare, and Benefits?

Post Oak Labs helps working parents optimize their leave elections, FSA decisions, and return-to-work financial planning.

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