Danica Nelson is a career break coach and expert helping professionals plan and take career breaks and sabbaticals with clarity and confidence. Through her platform, Liberty Leave™, she teaches burnt-out women how to pause, plan, and pivot into more aligned careers and lives.
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a career break or sabbatical but instantly thought, “this is a luxury I can’t afford,” you’re not alone.
As a career break coach who helps women plan purposeful career breaks, money is the number one barrier that keeps them stuck in a burnout cycle. In fact, according to HSBC’s recent study, 39% of respondents listed financial security concerns as one of the biggest challenges of taking an intentional pause from their career.
The idea of stepping away from a steady paycheck in this economy feels risky when your bills don’t pause with you. However, the reality is that if we continue to push through burnout and don’t proactively choose to take a step back from work by choice, our bodies may eventually force us to.
With the right plan, it’s possible to take time off work without draining your savings or sacrificing your financial sense of security. When I took my first career break, which I call my Liberty Leave, it took me 18 months to save the ~$12,000 USD I needed to make it happen.
Here are five practical ways to start planning your career break with confidence:
1. Know your numbers
Start by calculating what your career break will actually cost you. Factor in costs like rent/mortgage, health insurance, emergencies, entertainment, and groceries. If you plan to travel during your break, use Numbeo or Nomads to help you understand the cost of living in the city/cities you plan to stay in. And read up on other women's digital nomad journeys to discover what they learned (so you don't make the same mistakes).
2. Spend less
Focus on intentional spending during your saving season. Participate in low-spend challenges (like cutting back on takeout or shopping), cut back on what matters least, and redirect those savings to your break. Then, track your budget so you know exactly where your money is going.
3. Increase your income
Finding creative ways to earn more money can speed up the process of becoming financially ready for your break. Try freelancing or consulting on topics you already know, selling digital products, or decluttering and selling what you no longer need through apps like Poshmark, Depop, or Facebook Marketplace.
4. Start your sinking fund now
A sinking fund is a strategic way to save money for a specific future expense. Set aside a small amount each time you get paid and watch it grow over time. Treat it like a non-negotiable bill that you pay each month. Name the account something motivating, like “Liberty Leave” or “Sabbatical Savings.” Use a high-interest/yield savings account so your money makes money.
5. Redefine your relationship with money
As a Certified Trauma of Money Practitioner, I’ve seen how guilt and scarcity mindsets keep people working past their limits. Many of us were taught that rest is lazy, that our worth is tied to our productivity, or that stability only comes from staying in one job.
Shifting these limiting beliefs is part of financial readiness, too. When I took my first career break, I not only got the rest my body was craving, but within a few months of returning, I also landed a new job that paid me $50K more than my previous one.
A career break doesn't have to completely derail your finances. With the right plan, you can rest, reset, and return more focused and financially secure.
If you’ve been craving a break but fear money’s holding you back, take my FREE “Am I Financially Prepared for a Career Break?” quiz to see just how ready you are.
Want to learn more about planning your sabbatical? Listen to my Girlboss Radio episode here.
MORE CAREER-BREAK ADVICE FROM DANICA
5 Signs It’s Time to Take a Career Break
How to Talk About a Career Break (Without Hurting Your Job Prospects)
4 Types of Career Breaks That Can Actually Change Your Life
