What to do when your spouse loses their job

 

 When your spouse loses their job, it can be a challenging time financially and emotionally. This happend to us. My spouses position on eliminated during a downsizing.  This has been a difficult time for many reasons.  However, you can still work towards financial independence by making strategic adjustments and focusing on long-term goals. Here’s a comprehensive guide we came up with to help navigate this period:

1. Reassess Your Budget

Immediate Steps:

• Track Expenses: Identify all your expenditures and categorize them into essentials and non-essentials.
• Cut Non-Essential Spending: Reduce or eliminate spending on non-essentials like dining out, subscriptions, and luxury items.
• Negotiate Bills: Contact service providers to negotiate lower rates on utilities, internet, and insurance.

We change phone plans, reduce travel outside of points paid for trips, and put on hold IRA contributions while we figured out our budgets. 

2. Create a Crisis Budget

Essentials-Only Budget:

• Focus on rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
• Delay or minimize discretionary spending.

3. Build an Emergency Fund

Emergency Savings:

• If you don’t already have an emergency fund, start one immediately. Aim for 3-6 months' worth of living expenses.
• Use part of your current savings or reallocate funds from less critical savings goals.

This is something we had, but put more into it with the last few pay checks. 

4. Explore Additional Income Sources

Side Hustles and Part-Time Work:

• Consider freelance work, gig economy jobs, or part-time employment to supplement income.
• Utilize skills and hobbies that can be monetized.

5. Leverage Government and Community Resources

Unemployment Benefits:

• Ensure your spouse applies for unemployment benefits immediately.
• Look into other government assistance programs for which you might qualify.

6. Optimize Investments

Review Investment Strategy:

• Avoid panic selling; market downturns are often temporary.
• Consider shifting to more conservative investments if you need liquidity in the near term.
• Continue contributing to retirement accounts if possible, to take advantage of compounding interest.

7. Insurance Considerations

Health Insurance:

• Explore COBRA coverage or marketplace health insurance options if you lose employer-sponsored health insurance.
• Look into other necessary insurances and ensure they are up to date.

8. Reevaluate Financial Goals

Adjust Goals Temporarily:

• Adjust your financial independence timeline if necessary.
• Set short-term, achievable goals to maintain motivation.

9. Communicate Openly

Family Discussions:

• Have open and honest conversations with your spouse about the financial situation and the steps you're taking.
• Involve older children in understanding the need for temporary cutbacks.

10. Network and Skill Development

Job Search and Networking:

• Encourage your spouse to network and apply for new job opportunities.
• Both partners can focus on skill development and certifications that enhance employability.

After while we reached out to agencies to help with interviewing and resumes. To help get more attention along with Linkin and networks we already had. 

11. Stay Positive and Motivated

Mental Health:

• Maintain a positive outlook and support each other emotionally.
• Engage in stress-relieving activities and seek professional help if needed.

12. Monitor and Adjust Regularly

Regular Reviews:

• Regularly review your budget and financial plan to adapt to any changes.
• Celebrate small victories and progress towards your financial independence goals.

Resources for Further Reading:

• U.S. Department of Labor Unemployment Benefits
• Fidelity: Managing Finances During a Job Loss
• NerdWallet: How to Create a Budget

By following these steps, you can navigate through the challenging period of a spouse’s job loss while still working towards your long-term financial independence.  We are still going through it and with good planning of emergency funds my spouse can wait to find the right job.  Best of luck.