Preparing for Unemployment

Last Updated on August 15, 2020 by Ellen Christian

Wondering about preparing for unemployment? Years ago, when Marty and I were first married, he lost his job when a local manufacturing plant downsized.  All of a sudden, the two-income salary we were used to living on was cut in half. Sure, he received unemployment benefits but they are never equal to what you were earning at your job. We didn’t have that much in savings because it always seemed like something would break or need to be replaced just when we got a few dollars saved up. Because the economy wasn’t that great at the time, it took him quite a while to find a new job. We didn’t do a very good job at preparing for unemployment.

Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tips for preparing for unemployment

Preparing for Unemployment

Preparing for unemployment doesn’t have to be difficult. There are things that you can do to lessen the impact losing a job will have on your family. You don’t want to have to worry about losing your house or not being able to provide for your kids while you’re trying to focus on finding a new job. Following a few of these tips will make the time that you are unemployed a bit less stressful.

  • Never spend all of the money you earn each week. As Americans, we tend to spend everything we earn. When we get a raise or cost of living increase, we tend to increase our expenses to match our new earnings. It makes more sense to spend less than you earn so you can save some.
  • Regularly put money away for savings. Even if all you can do is put $5 away in the bank, that is better than nothing.
  • Put off major purchases. If you think you may lose your job or your company is less than stable, put off major purchases just in case.
  • Stop using your credit cards. Try living on what you make and stop using your credit cards. If you do lose your job, you won’t want to be saddled with extra debt.
  • Consider unemployment insurance.  You insure everything else in your life (health, home, car).  Why not insure your salary as well?

Supplemental unemployment insurance can help make up the gaps where state-funded unemployment fails.  That means that if you lose your job, you would have the ability to receive 50% of your previous salary. This can save your home when having to pay for your mortgage and help with expenses for your children while you are looking for a new job. When you sign up for IncomeAssure you receive the supplemental income during your period of unemployment up to 2 weeks before state unemployment is revoked (so if your state provides 24 weeks, IncomeAssure provides their supplemental insurance for 22 weeks.)

IncomeAssure is private unemployment insurance. If you get laid off or lose your job and are eligible for unemployment benefits, their supplementary unemployment insurance provides cash when you need it the most. State unemployment benefits can be as low as $235 a week. I don’t know about you but $235 a week won’t come close to paying my bills if I lose my job. Visit IncomeAssure for a fast free quote and benefit illustration. You can ensure your unemployment benefits for less than the cost of a cup of coffee each day.

Related reading

 

40 thoughts on “Preparing for Unemployment”

  1. All great tips! It's always good to have savings in the bank just in case something happens no matter whether you are employed or not.
    Reply
  2. All great points. I have been saying our income has tripled and I still never have any money. It is kind of crazy.
    Reply
  3. Thanks for sharing Ellen, great tips... it's always a good idea to save for a rainy day, you never know what happens down the road.
    Reply
  4. These are all fantastic tips to remember regardless of whether you have a job or you're recently on unemployment! I'm self employed due to health issues so bringing in anything is welcomed! It's so hard to do things like start saving when I can barely pay what bills I do have but like you said even $5 is a start!
    Reply
    • It is hard, Kayla, but I try really hard to at least put a few dollars away each week just in case. You really never know!
      Reply
  5. Great tips, thankfully this hasn't happened to us, my husband has come close and it has been scary since we do live on 1 income. 
    Reply
  6. Definitely some great tips. We went through a rough time when my husband's salary was cut 70%. He has a different job now, but it was rough for a while. 
    Reply
  7. great tips, while we all hope to not hav to go through this it is good to have money in savings just in case.
    Reply
  8. Unfortunately, in this economy, you really need to think about having this kind of insurance. It is crazy how many are losing their jobs unexpectedly. 
    Reply
  9. I had no idea there was such a thing as unemployment insurance! What a great insurance after so many people I know have been losing jobs the last 2 years! 
    Reply
  10. Wowza, I had no idea that unemployment insurance even existed!! I'm self employed and my husband has a pretty stable job but I think I want to check this out for him anyway!
    Reply
  11. These are great tips. I imagine most people, self included, are not as prepared as we should be. I don't think there is any such thing as job security anymore.
    Reply
  12. My husband works in the manufacturing field, so a layaway is always in the back of our minds. Being prepared is definitely the way to go. 
    Reply
  13. Ugh, my hubby's work keeps getting slow. He's been on and off jobs all year. This last time was a couple months that he's been on unemployment. It definitely makes us paranoid to spend ANY extra money!!
    Reply
  14. Always good to be prepared for mishaps or struggles, always save money back for certain things and this is one that would be number 1 on my list. 
    Reply
  15. These are great tips. It is always helpful to save for a rainy day. You never know when you will be without a paycheck!
    Reply

Leave a Comment