The job loss playbook

Losing a job is both a financial and emotional event, and most of the financial mistakes people make in the first month are driven by panic. Having a pre-written playbook to follow removes the panic from the biggest decisions and lets you focus your energy on finding the next role.

Day 1–7

1. Do not make any major financial decisions this week. Not debt consolidation, not a new investment, not moving.
2. Read your separation paperwork carefully. Know exactly what severance, accrued PTO, stock vesting, and final paycheck you're entitled to.
3. File for unemployment immediately. Eligibility is broader than most people assume. Benefits often take 2–4 weeks to arrive, so file the day you're eligible.
4. Negotiate severance before signing anything. Even when it feels hopeless, asking often gets you another week or two of pay.
5. Inventory every subscription and recurring charge. Cancel or pause the non-essential ones within a week.

Day 7–30

1. Handle health insurance. COBRA is expensive but instant. The ACA marketplace is cheaper for most people and lower income qualifies for larger subsidies.
2. Triage your budget to 'essentials only' mode until you have a new offer. Housing, food, transportation, insurance, minimum debt payments. Everything else waits.
3. Map out your runway. Emergency fund + severance + unemployment = how many months you can last before things get tight. This number drives urgency.
4. Start job searching on day 1, not day 30. The longer the gap, the harder the re-entry. Even if you need a break, keep applying quietly during it.