How much to put aside for taxes, CPP and EI?

[Dreamalittledream]

Hmm, I was under the assumption that if I were to ever go off on maternity leave again that I had to pay into EI too. I know someone told me it was optional, but I'm probably going to pay into it only because we don't know if we're having another child .

Reggio, I believe, made a very good point on the EI contribution topic. That once you decide to contribute you can't just stop contributing (once you either decide no more babies, for example). So, for the amount you would pay in contributions well worth it not to (for the small amount you would get in return) and to put that money in an investment. Hope that all made sense.