Burn rate is just the start. Most quit calculations miss the one-time and recurring expenses that ambush you after day one.
You already know your rent and groceries. You don't know about COBRA, self-employment taxes, disability insurance, or the business tools you suddenly need. These are the expenses that turn a reasonable six-month runway into a three-month crisis.
**This is not financial advice.**This walks through the numbers so you can stop pretending they don't exist.
COBRA or marketplace health insurance
Your employer health plan ends the day you do. You get 60 days to pick COBRA or ACA marketplace coverage. Miss that window and you're uninsured.
COBRA continuation coverage
You pay the full employer premium plus a 2% administrative fee. Average cost for single coverage: $761–$812/month. Family: $2,100–$2,200/month.
$812/month average (single)**
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**Reality check:**Most people underestimate by $1,200-$2,000/month, which is 20-40% more than their stated burn. That cuts your runway from 6 months to 4.
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