Episode 5 of 6
The Return-to-Work Decision
Amara turns 3 and starts pre-K. Sarah gets a UX design offer for $94k — more than she made before. She models the household income boost against the costs of returning: commuting, wardrobe, after-school care, and the emotional toll of the transition.
Key Insight
With pre-K at $1,200/month instead of $2,800 daycare, Sarah's net contribution jumps from $1,100/month to $4,240/month. The dual income accelerates their mortgage payoff by 7 years and adds $312,000 to retirement savings by age 55.
Model This Scenario