Your maternity leave will be one of the most financially important years of your life — and the one most parents face with the least planning. This plain-spoken, judgement-free guide walks you through every money decision the year ahead demands: understanding what your employer actually owes you, mapping the gap between full pay and leave pay, building a realistic savings buffer, trimming everyday costs without misery, and claiming every benefit you're entitled to. You'll learn how to handle one-off baby expenses that matter (and skip the ones that don't), make smart family decisions about partner leave, protect yourself if you're self-employed or on a casual contract, and plan a return to work that your budget can survive — childcare and all. Written in short, readable sections with checklists you'll actually use, real worked examples, and honest notes on where rules differ by country, this book turns a scary financial unknown into a clear plan you can follow. Zero shame, no jargon, plenty of pocketbook sense. Part of The Pregnancy Companion Library.