Arizona Tribune - What to Do Immediately After Job Loss

Focus on taking small steps forward every day as you adjust to your new normal - you're doing the best you can during a difficult time. Keep reading for a few ideas that might help you get back on your feet.

Review your finances

If you aren't as on top of your finances as you could be, now is a good time to review where you stand. Check the balance on your checking and savings accounts, as well as any investments, debts and loans.

Reviewing your financial standing may give you some peace of mind. You might find that you're okay for the time being, especially if you have emergency savings set aside - most experts recommend saving 3-6 months' worth of living expenses. If not, don't panic. There are potential solutions to finding cash in the short term.

If you have a lot of debt payments to cover, you could consider a debt consolidation loan. A debt consolidation loan can help you roll your debt into a single lower monthly payment and potentially a lower interest rate.

Keep in mind, however, that any loan you take out will require you to repay it in installments every month, plus interest and potential fees. A loan may not be the best idea if you can't afford to start paying it back right away.

Revise your budget

Once you have a better understanding of your financial situation, you might want to rethink your budget, at least in the short term, to account for the change to your income. Start by listing out your monthly expenses. You could enter them into an app or spreadsheet, or just note them down on a piece of paper.

Once you have a master list of where your money is going, take a hard look at your nice-to-have expenses and see where you can trim to make sure you cover your must-have expenses. For example, you might compare the cost of continuing your employer-sponsored health insurance through COBRA to more affordable marketplace plans.

Additionally, while you don't want to empty your savings account, it's okay to use it in the short term - that's why it's there.

File for unemployment benefits

Filing for unemployment could seem scary if you haven't done it before, but government assistance is there to help you through a difficult time. Unemployment insurance requirements and benefits differ from state to state, so it's best to research and read about it on your state's website.

Before you file for unemployment, make sure you have all the necessary details from your ex-employer. Will you be receiving severance pay, and for how long? Do you have ongoing insurance coverage, or do you need to find new health insurance? Having these details on hand could make the application process go more smoothly.

Update your resume

You could also start the process of updating your resume and LinkedIn page so that you have an accurate job history ready for potential employers.

Reflecting on your experiences and skills could also help spark new ideas about jobs you might be interested in, ways in which you could build on your existing skills through ongoing education and even new career paths. This could be an opportunity for a whole new adventure, or the motivation you need to start your own company, open a store or build a new business with friends.

Apply to jobs and look for temporary work

While it might be difficult to think about applying for new jobs right away, it could be a good way to remind yourself there are other opportunities available.

Reach out to your network and see if anyone knows of any job openings. You never know when a previous colleague, friend or acquaintance may have work available or may be able to connect you with someone who does.

You could also consider looking into consulting or freelance work for your specific skill set, or part-time work, such as food delivery, dog walking, tutoring or house-sitting. If you take temporary work while receiving unemployment, be sure to understand the rules and any income restrictions to make sure you don't disqualify yourself.

Take small steps forward every day

Job loss can be a time of confusion, sadness and fear of the unknown - there's a lot to process and come to terms with during the days and weeks afterward. Do your best to take care of yourself and your finances, and keep an eye out for new job opportunities. With some planning and care, you can help keep yourself afloat until you land somewhere else.

Notice: Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of [publisher] or its employees. Please be sure to consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances and options. This site may receive compensation from advertisers for links to third-party websites.

CONTACT:

Sonakshi Murze
Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE: OneMain Financial

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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