Prepare For A Job Loss
You Can Prepare For a Job Loss
A good friend of mine had been a very productive team member at his job for years. In fact, his team even got recognized for a couple of patents, and he was certain that his company valued the contribution he made. A few short months after he brought home his certificate and bonus money, the company decided to outsource his group. He arrived at work on Friday and was told he would not need to report in on Monday. Needless to say, he was unprepared for the job loss, financially or emotionally, and it was a devestating event in his life.
Companies are cruel these days, and few employees are really safe. In fact, over a million and a half workers were laid off in the last 12 months, and I’m sure most of these people were very good employees too. Most of us will get laid off a couple of times in our working lives. We cannot possibly prevent every possible reason for a job loss, but we can prepare ourselves.
Save Your Money, Just Like Dad Said
Your financial advisor, your friends, and your dad will tell you to sock away 3 - 6 months worth of living expenses. You need to have that money saved in a way that can be easilly accessed. Have you dont that? Well, if not, don’t waste time feeling bad about it. Honestly, I have the savings now, but I can tell you that I’ve had plenty of times in my life where I was lucky to have a week’s worth of living expenses saved in a cash account.
I know how hard it is to save, especially these days, with high fuel and food costs. Besides, one trip to the emergency room or mechanic can wipe out months of savings in about five minutes. It isn’t always possible to keep as much cash on hand as we should. And though I always advise people to look at their lifestyle for places to cut expenses if they just cannot save, I also have another suggestion.
Insure Against Job Loss
Look at job loss protection plans that pay you, and not the lender. Some mortgage unemployment insurance or credit insurance pays the lender. However, since you are the one paying the bill, I think you should be the one to get the cash!
Prepare Emotionally For A Job Loss
Also be sure to emotionally prepare yourself. Honestly, I have seen depression get to lots of people, almost as much as a loss of income does. A layoff can be a major ego blow, even though most layoffs are not personal at all. Understand that this is just one of those bumps in the road that almost everybody goes thorugh. Also know that many people - myself included - look back and say that, even though we did not feel that way at the time, that a layoff was a blessing, because it led to a better opportunity later. If you get the news that your services are not needed any more, stay cool. Some layoffs are temprorary, and no matter how angry you are at the moment, remember the other good advice your dad gave you about burning bridges. Gosh, the older I get, the smarter my dad gets!
Make sure you have your friends and business contacts stored where you can get to them if you cannot login at work too. You do not want to lose all of your valuable contacts just because you cannot get into the front door at work. The best way to find a good job as quickly as possible is through your network, and do not underestimate it.
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US Foreclosure Rates Are Still Climbing
American Are Still Losing Their Homes
This is a pretty painful subject for me because I do know people who had to leave their homes. They did manage to land on their feet, and seem to be thriving in a more modest dwelling then they used to own. They did go through a crisis, but probably ended off better then most. But people, wake up, this crisis is not over. For some more gloom and doom see: US FORECLOSURE RATES ARE RISING.
Now some people were victims of predatory lending, and were mislead into some pretty awful mortgage deals. Some others lost jobs unexpectedly, or perhaps savings were depleted by falling interest rates or stock prices. Frankly though, many more people were victims of their own consumerism.
I guess, when faced with the prospect of having no house at all, a more modest home seems pretty attractive. There is something purifying about living modestly, and about knowing that you are living a bit below your means. And if you are saddled with a mortgage you cannot manage any longer, why not free yourself from the stress?
If you have a way to get out of your loan, even if you have to sell the home for far less then you think it is worth, why not take the ticket out? In the long run, you will probably prosper more, and have a happier life. I know this advice seems a little bit heretical here in the land of consumerism, but it is what my friends did. They are doing alright now.
If you are still financially stable, but worry about losing your home in case of a death, disability, accident, or unemployment, consider an affordable mortgage protection insurance policy.
foreclosures, mortgage crisis
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