Job Security is an Illusion: 10 Tips for Preparing for a Layoff

Preparing for a Layoff is Vital: How to Prepare for a Layoff

TheFinanceNewsletter.com
2 min readMar 3, 2023

By Andrew Lokenauth

Photo by Tonik on Unsplash

Preparing for a potential layoff is important. Aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund. If end up getting laid off, create a budget, apply for unemployment benefits, use your emergency fund wisely, and cut back on non-essential expenses. Here is how to prepare:

1) Build a robust emergency savings fund:

  • Save at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund.
  • Consider saving up to 12 months’ worth of expenses if you work in a volatile industry or have a high risk of layoff.

2) Prioritize your emergency savings:

  • Make emergency savings a top priority when putting away money.
  • Automate savings into a separate account to ensure consistent contributions to your emergency fund.

3) Adjust your budget:

  • Evaluate your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back, such as entertainment or dining out.
  • Create a bare-bones budget to ensure you’re living within your means during a time marked by layoffs.

4) Look for alternative sources of income:

  • Supplement your income during a potential job loss through freelancing, renting out a spare room, or picking up a part-time job.

If you end up getting laid off, here are tips for adjusting your spending while on the job hunt:

1) Create a new budget:

  • Evaluate your new income and create a new budget based on your current financial situation.
  • Prioritize essential expenses such as housing and food.

2) Apply for unemployment benefits:

  • If you’re eligible, applying for unemployment benefits can provide temporary financial support while you search for a new job.

3) Use your emergency fund wisely:

  • If you have an emergency savings fund, use it to cover essential expenses while you’re on the job hunt.

4) Cut back on non-essential expenses:

  • Look for areas where you can cut back on non-essential expenses, such as canceling subscriptions or temporarily reducing entertainment expenses.

What would you add?

If you enjoyed reading this, please follow me here on medium and like/ clap for this article! Also, follow my social media:

Weekly Newsletter: FluentInFinance.Substack.com

Youtube: Youtube.com/FluentInFinance

Twitter: @FluentInFinance

Facebook Page: Facebook.com/FluentInFinance

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/Lokenauth

TikTok: @FluentInFinance

Instagram: @Fluent.In.Finance

Facebook Group: Facebook.com/Groups/FinanceTalk

Reddit Community: r/FluentInFinance

#Wealth #Money #PersonalFinance #Finance #FinancialEducation #FinancialFreedom #FinancialIndependence

--

--

TheFinanceNewsletter.com

I write TheFinanceNewsletter.com for 50,000 subscribers. My expertise comes from real-world knowledge, sharpened by 15 years working on Wall Street and Banking.