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139. Can I afford to take time off? Financial considerations for a sabbatical or career break
Nov 30, 2025

We dive into a common listener question: Can I afford a career break or sabbatical? Career breaks for family, travel, burnout, or realignment are becoming increasingly common, and we wholeheartedly support the idea. However, the financial and mental preparation required for taking time off extends far beyond just checking your savings account balance. We provide essential, step-by-step guidance on all the considerations to thoughtfully answer this question, including your emergency fund, medical insurance, rehireability, planning for the worst-case scenario, navigating debt, and more. Learn how to create a financial plan that ensures you enter your break from a position of financial strength and confidence.  

Andrew joins this week’s podcast as we talk about:

– Calculating your bare-bones, non-negotiable monthly expenses

– The difference between job-protected leave (e.g., FMLA) and an unpaid career break where your job is not guaranteed

– Assessing your “re-hireability” and the challenges of having a resume gap

– Evaluating the financial safety net of a partner or spouse’s employment and insurance coverage

– The shockingly high cost of health insurance through COBRA or the ACA Marketplace when your employer is no longer subsidizing the premium

– The importance of paying off high-interest debt (like credit cards) before considering a career break

– Accounting for potential temporary income streams (e.g., house rental, side consulting) during your break.

 

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