Member-only story
How Motherhood and Growing Old affects Financial Independence
Many women loose some years for child rearing. How do you ensure, your absence from payroll doesn’t affect your finance? Income during maternity leave depends on the country and company you are in. In Europe, companies offer 60% of salary during maternity leave. But in countries which do not offer such provisions, you should always be in the look out for a second source of income. I might appear ruthless in saying this — use your maternity leave to boost your financial know how. While taking care of children are life time experiences, being old and needing medical assistance is a reality. Do not live as if you will live forever. Be practical. In the best cases, you will die suddenly without being a burden to anybody and yourself. But 80% women outlive their partners and are forced to live at the mercy of children.
Take the maximum benefits your organization offers regarding maternity leave. If they offer 1 year leave with 60%pay, by all means take it. But do not take more. Prepare yourself to go back to work. Many women find it understandably hard to go back to work and eventually quit. You would have a hard day to separate yourself from the baby. But take it one hour at a time, and in a mere 8 hours the day is over. Attack the problem one day at a time. Be shameless and ask for support from your friends or parents or in laws. Remember…
