Pre-baby money checklist

Do this before the third-trimester fog. The aim is a visible leave runway and fewer panic purchases — not a perfect spreadsheet. Figures should be ranges. Confirm tax and benefits details with HR or a professional; this is not tax advice. State and employer rules vary.

Checklist

Snapshot (one evening)

• List monthly take-home for each adult (use recent pay stubs)
• List fixed costs: housing, utilities, insurance, debt minimums, transport
• Note high-deductible medical exposure left this year (range)
• Write emergency fund balance and months of fixed costs it covers
• List debts with rates (know which is expensive vs cheap)

Leave runway

• Inventory paid leave, STD, state leave, and PTO for each parent
• Estimate leave take-home as a monthly range (include premium deductions)
• Calculate monthly gap = usual take-home − leave take-home
• Name the account that covers the gap
• Set automatic transfers into that account while still working
• Partner leave: model both "overlap" and "sequential" cash-flow versions

Insurance and benefits

• Health plan: deductible, out-of-pocket max, newborn enrollment deadline
• Disability insurance: employer STD terms; consider gaps if self-employed
• Life insurance: term coverage discussion if someone depends on your income
• Beneficiaries updated on retirement, life, and bank TOD/POD where used
• HSA/FSA: know leave contribution and claim rules for your plan
• Dental/vision: check newborn timing if relevant to your plans

Banking and bills

• Create a shared view of bills (app or spreadsheet) both adults can see
• Autopay critical bills; raise alert thresholds on low balances
• Keep one month of minimum payments liquid outside market accounts
• If self-employed: separate tax reserve; do not raid it for gear
• Card rewards: optional — do not open debt for nursery aesthetics

Must-buy vs wait-to-buy

• Must before birth: safe car seat, safe sleep surface, feeding plan supplies
• Wait if possible: gear that depends on baby size/preferences (carriers, some toys)
• Set a hard "registry / shopping" budget number both adults accept
• Check what your zip code's parents sell used in good safety condition
• Skip extended warranties sold at checkout unless you have a real reason

Childcare cost preview

• Get 2–3 infant care quotes (center and/or home daycare)
• Put median quote into the post-leave monthly budget as a placeholder
• Ask employers about dependent care FSA or backup care benefits
• If relying on family care: write a backup plan if that caregiver is sick

Documents to gather (folder)

• Pay stubs (last 30–60 days)
• Leave and STD policy PDFs
• Health insurance cards and plan summary
• Lease/mortgage and recurring bill list
• Life insurance / beneficiary confirmations
• Emergency contacts and account password manager access for partner

Decision freeze (optional but useful)

• Agree: no purchase over $X without a 48-hour wait in the last month of pregnancy
• Agree: medical bills get opened same week; payment plans beat avoidance
• Schedule a 30-minute money check-in for two weeks after return to work