How to Manage Money When You’ve Lost Your Job, with Eric Rosenberg

After you have fully processed what happened, your next step is to look at your budget to find your unnecessary expenses. Pull out large recurring expenses that may provide you enjoyment, but aren’t providing any tangible benefits. A cable bill is a good example of this. Every dollar you have saved becomes important if you are unsure of how long you will be without work. Other expenses which should be cut are things you can make at home for a lesser cost, such as coffees and meals. Your financial accounts should be used in the following order: Checking — Use this fluid money first. Savings — Banks pay little to no interest in these accounts. Stocks — Sell off stocks if they are outside of a retirement account. 401K/IRA — Use this option only as a last resort. Do you have student loans? Eric says no matter which type of student loan you have, federal or private, you should notify the lending institution that holds your loan. Many times, during hardships these institutions offer deferments, which lower your monthly loan payments, but the company continues to earn interest on the balance. Ignoring health care coverage is a big no-no. In fact, under the Affordable Care Act, it is a requirement for individuals to have current health care coverage. Your previous employer is bound to offer you COBRA, which will allow you to keep your current level of coverage, but you must pay the employer’s previous contribution amount. If you do not have enough money saved to last for at least 6-months consider a part-time job to make ends meet or to avoid going into debt. Pro Tip — If you do spend money during unemployment, invest in something which will help you to get your next job! Eric Rosenberg Bio Eric Rosenberg is a finance writer who publishes the Personal Profitability Blog and the Personal Profitability Podcast. He has helped countless people clean up and fix their finances. Eric is proud to announce he has finally broken through the $10K a month threshold through his side business!  Find him on Twitter @EricProfits. Ben’s Job Search Resource: Ben’s resource this week is the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The site allows job seekers to search through 575 different professions. It includes a comprehensive job review, job requirements, and a job feasibility outlook through 2024. Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question: Today’s question comes from Dennis Mace, who asks, “How can I best utilize the Mac’s List website?” If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive either a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017) or a Mac’s List Coffee Mug, your choice. Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job. Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). The book offers practical, actionable, and proven tools to help you get clear about your career goals, find hidden jobs, ace your next interview and more. If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support! Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices