Use money you can actually access.
Start with accessible savings. Keep any reserve you want untouched separate from your break budget. Include monthly living costs, required payments, one-off costs, and any reliable after-tax income that will continue.
Example · no income during the break
Six months fits. Nine months needs more.
- Accessible savings
- ₹6,00,000
- Reserve kept untouched
- − ₹1,50,000
- One-off costs
- − ₹25,000
- Six months at ₹50,000
- − ₹3,00,000
- Left above the reserve
- ₹1,25,000
If the next salary takes three more months, living costs rise by ₹1,50,000. The plan is then ₹25,000 short of keeping the full reserve untouched. It has not run out of all its cash.
The reserve is part of the original savings, not an extra expense. This example assumes unchanged monthly costs and no investment gains.
Before leaving work
Check when employer health cover ends and what replacement cover costs. Confirm any benefits, loan or visa conditions affected by leaving. Revisit the budget as actual spending and your return-to-work plans change.
The calculator compares your planned break with a later next salary and higher living costs.
Sources & limits
How the calculation works · SEBI investor education
Fictional example for education, not personalised advice or a recommendation. Official resources do not imply endorsement of this site. Full disclaimer.