Financial Runway Planning

Could you handle a layoff?
Find out how long your money would last.

Whether you just got laid off or want to prepare before life changes, calculate your runway, estimate separation pay, understand your monthly shortfall, and know what to do next.

Free. No sign-up. Your numbers stay private.

Where Are You Right Now?

Choose your path.

URGENT
I just got laid off
Start with the 7-day checklist and calculate your runway — know exactly where you stand right now.
PREPARE
I'm worried layoffs may be coming
Stress-test your savings, expenses, and benefits before you need them. Know your number now.
SAFETY NET
I want to build a safety net
Know your burn rate, build emergency savings, reduce debt, and create a backup plan before you need one.
Start Here

Are You Financially Prepared?

Answer three quick questions to find out whether you should prepare, reduce expenses, or calculate your runway now.

Question 1
How many months of expenses do you have saved?
Less than 1 month — Build an emergency plan now
1–3 months — See how to extend it
3–6+ months — Stress-test your plan
Question 2
Do you know your exact monthly burn rate?
No idea — Calculate it now
Roughly — Let's make it exact
Yes — See optimization tips
Question 3
Do you know how to estimate your separation pay?
No — Estimate it now
Not sure — Check your numbers
Yes — See next steps
Before A Layoff Happens

Build Your Financial Foundation Now

The best time to prepare is before you need to. These tools and habits make all the difference.

Most Important

Know your monthly burn rate

Most people don't know exactly what they spend each month. Calculate your true baseline — it's the foundation of every other number on this site.

Use the cash flow calculator →
High-Yield Savings

Is your emergency fund earning a competitive rate?

Many traditional savings accounts pay very little. Moving your emergency fund to a competitive high-yield account can help your cash work harder while staying accessible.

See recommended accounts →
Budgeting

Track your spending before a crisis forces you to

Knowing where every dollar goes gives you real choices when things get tight. The best time to build this habit is right now, not after a layoff.

See budgeting tools →
Know Your Rights

Understand your separation pay before you need it

Knowing what's typical in your industry and state means you can negotiate confidently if the time comes. Don't find out for the first time on the day it happens.

Calculate estimated separation pay →
First 7 Days

Just laid off? Start with these 7 steps.

Before you update your resume or apply anywhere — do these first.

1
Save your layoff paperwork.
Keep your termination letter, severance agreement, and any HR communications somewhere safe.
2
Confirm final paycheck, PTO, separation pay, and benefits end date.
Get every number in writing before you sign anything.
3
File for unemployment.
Most states have a waiting period — file the same week so benefits start as soon as possible.
4
Estimate your health insurance cost.
You have 60 days to elect COBRA. Also check healthcare.gov — marketplace plans may cost less.
5
Calculate your runway.
Know exactly how long your savings will last. This one number changes how you make every decision.
6
Cut nonessential spending.
Review subscriptions, dining, and recurring charges. Even small cuts meaningfully extend your runway.
7
Create a 30-day cash plan.
Map every dollar coming in and going out this month. Knowing the exact picture removes anxiety and puts you back in control.
Tools

Calculate your financial runway.

See how long your money would last if income stopped, changed, or slowed down — and what steps could extend your runway.

✓ Free ✓ No sign-up required ✓ Results in under 2 minutes

Privacy: Your numbers stay in your browser. Nothing is stored, transmitted, or shared. This tool provides estimates only — not financial, legal, tax, unemployment, or benefits advice.

Savings & Assets
$
$
$

After-tax. Use the Separation Pay tab to calculate.

$
Monthly Expenses
$
$
$
$
$

Enter COBRA, marketplace, or private plan estimate.

$
$
Income Replacement
$
$

COBRA cost excluded during this period.

Total savings
—
Monthly shortfall
—
Your runway
—
0 months24 months
What-If Scenarios
No changes (baseline)
—
Cut spending 15%
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Cut spending 25%
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Add $1,000/mo income
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Want a complete 30-day layoff plan?

The calculator shows how long your money may last. The Layoff Survival Toolkit helps you decide what to do next — with a 30-day action plan, emergency budget worksheet, HR/severance checklist, COBRA worksheet, debt triage guide, job-search tracker, and creditor call scripts.

Save Your Results
Your Employment Details
$
$

Total gross severance amount offered.

$
Estimated net (after-tax) separation pay
—
Gross severance—
PTO payout—
Total gross—
Estimated taxes—
Estimated net pay—

Estimates only. Actual taxes vary by state, filing status, and other income. Consult a tax professional for exact figures.

Life Events

Financial Readiness For Whatever Comes Next

A layoff is one reason to know your numbers. Here are others.

JOB LOSS
Job Loss / Layoff
Know your severance, runway, and next steps before day one of unemployment.
HEALTH
Unexpected Illness
Calculate how long your savings carry you if income stops suddenly due to health.
CAREER
Career Change or Break
Planning a sabbatical, pivot, or time away? Know your exact financial timeline first.
My Story
"I built this because I lived it. I was laid off — and like most people, I panicked."

But when I finally ran the numbers, I realized I was in a better position than I thought. Years of paying off debt, building savings, and creating breathing room had quietly prepared me for exactly this moment.

The job search still took longer than expected. That part was hard and scary. But knowing my numbers gave me time, options, and a lot less panic than I would have had otherwise.

That's why I created My Layoff Plan — to help people understand their runway, protect their cash, and make a practical plan when life changes unexpectedly. You're not alone, and you're more prepared than you think.

Read my full story →
Resources

What Helped Me — Tools I Actually Use

These are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission if you sign up. I only recommend what I've personally found valuable.

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

The budgeting app that made my spending visible for the first time. Knowing where every dollar goes gives you real choices.

Try YNAB free →

Personal finance reads

The books and resources that shaped how I think about money, independence, and what financial freedom actually means.

See the reading list →

Subscription tracker

Most people underestimate what they spend on subscriptions. Use this free tool to see your true monthly and annual total.

Track my subscriptions →
Emergency Fund

Where should I keep my emergency fund?

If your emergency fund is sitting in a traditional savings account, it may not be working as hard as it could. A high-yield savings account can help your cash earn more while staying fully accessible — but the safest choice is not always the highest advertised rate.

What matters most
✓
FDIC or NCUA insured
Your deposits should be federally insured up to $250,000. Non-negotiable.
✓
No monthly fees
Fees eat returns. Look for accounts with zero monthly maintenance fees.
✓
No minimum balance requirement
Especially important during a layoff — you need to access your money without penalty.
✓
Easy transfers to and from checking
Your emergency fund needs to be accessible within 1–2 business days.
✓
Stable app and customer experience
You don't want to fight a broken app when you need your money.
Suggested setup
Keep 1 month in checking
Cover your immediate bills without touching your emergency fund.
Keep 6–12 months in a HYSA
This is your runway. Keep it liquid, insured, and earning a competitive rate.
Split across banks above FDIC limits
If your emergency fund exceeds $250,000, spread it across multiple insured institutions.
What to avoid
✕ Teaser-rate accounts that drop after the intro period
✕ Accounts requiring direct deposit to earn the advertised rate
✕ Unclear fintech sweep accounts for primary emergency cash
✕ Accounts that are not clearly FDIC or NCUA insured

Don't chase the highest rate if the bank is inconvenient or unclear. Safety and accessibility matter more than yield during a layoff.

Compare HYSA Options →
Coming Soon

The Layoff Survival Toolkit

A complete 30-day action plan, emergency budget worksheet, HR/severance checklist, COBRA guide, debt triage worksheet, job-search tracker, and creditor call scripts. Built for the first weeks after a layoff when everything feels overwhelming.

No spam. Notified once when the toolkit launches.