Family & Lifestyle
Single-Income Sarah
UX Designer (on leave) · Columbus, OH
New mom. One income. Trying to figure out if the numbers work.
About Single-Income Sarah
Sarah and her partner Marcus just had their first child, Amara. Sarah planned to return to work after 3 months, but the childcare costs are $2,800/month — nearly her entire take-home pay. Now they're modeling whether one income actually makes financial sense.
Financial Snapshot
$88,000
Annual Income
$62,000
Net Worth
31
Age
Single-Income Sarah's Story — 3 Chapters
The Real Cost of a Child
Sarah and Marcus model the first year: hospital bills, gear, childcare, and the income gap during leave. The total first-year cost surprises them both.
Uses: having-a-childThe Childcare Equation
Sarah's take-home is $5,400/month. Childcare is $2,800. After taxes, commuting, and work clothes, returning to work nets her $1,100/month. She builds a full one-income model — and the numbers tell a story she didn't expect.
Uses: one-incomeThe 529 Decision(Coming soon)
Marcus wants to start a 529 immediately. Sarah thinks paying off their car loan first makes more sense. The model shows which path builds more wealth.
Uses: debt-payoff