Know how long your money will last —
before life forces the question.

Whether you just got laid off, see it coming, or simply want to be ready — financial clarity changes every decision you make after.

Free · No sign-up · Results in under 2 minutes · Your data stays in your browser

Choose your path.

Start Here
I just got laid off
Start with the 7-day checklist and calculate your runway. Know exactly where you stand before doing anything else.
I'm worried layoffs may be coming
Stress-test your savings and expenses before you need them. Know your number now.
I want to build a safety net
Build emergency savings, reduce debt, and create a backup plan — so a layoff never catches you off guard.

"Most people don't realize how quickly uncertainty compounds — until they do the math."

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?
Question 2
Do you know your exact monthly burn rate?
Question 3
Do you know how to estimate your separation pay?
Different Starting Points

You might recognize yourself here.

Four illustrative scenarios. The numbers are always different — and almost always better than what you imagined before doing the math.

Senior manager, mid-40s
Laid off after company reorg. Single income household.
Executive
Total savings~$200k
Monthly expenses~$9,500
Severance6 months
Estimated runway~2 years
Assumed runway was much shorter before mapping the actual numbers. Severance coverage shifted the picture significantly.
Single parent, late 30s
Role eliminated. Sole provider with childcare costs.
Single parent
Total savings~$18k
Monthly expenses~$4,200
Unemployment~$1,800/mo
Estimated runway~7 months
Tight but clearer than expected. Knowing the number allowed for faster prioritization on where to cut first.
Independent contractor, early 30s
Project ended without renewal. No employer benefits.
Contractor
Total savings~$30k
Monthly expenses~$2,800
SeveranceNone
Estimated runway~10 months
Health coverage cost was the variable that most changed the calculation once it was actually entered.
Dual income household, mid-40s
One partner laid off. Mortgage, kids, college costs.
Dual income
Combined savings~$95k
Monthly expenses~$11,000
Partner's income~$5,400/mo
Estimated runway~16 months
The second income changed the monthly shortfall entirely. The runway was longer than either person had stopped to calculate.

Illustrative examples only — your actual numbers are yours to calculate. Find out where you actually stand →

Tools

Calculate your financial runway.

See how long your money would last if income stopped, changed, or slowed down.

Privacy: Your numbers stay in your browser. Nothing is stored, transmitted, or shared. Estimates only — not financial, legal, or tax advice.

Savings & Assets
$
$
$
Use the Separation Pay tab to calculate.
$
Monthly Expenses
$
$
$
$
$
Enter COBRA, marketplace, or private plan estimate.
$
$
Income Replacement
$
Auto-filled by state above. Leave blank = ongoing.
Enter your severance period — UI typically starts after severance ends.
$
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
—
Now that you know your runway, the next step is turning this number into a 30-day action plan.
Want a complete 30-day layoff plan?
The Layoff Survival Toolkit includes 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 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.

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 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. 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.
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 high-yield account can help your cash work harder while staying fully 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 now, not after a layoff.

See budgeting tools →
Know Your Options

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 →
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.
Divorce
Divorce or Separation
Understand your financial picture independently — before, during, and after a major life split.
Burnout
Burnout or Voluntary Leave
Know how long you can step away before financial pressure forces you back before you're ready.
Career
Career Change or Pivot
Planning a sabbatical or pivot? Know your exact financial window before you make the move.
Caregiving
Caregiving Transition
Stepping back to care for a parent, child, or partner? Map your financial runway before you do.
Why This Exists
"Fear gets louder when the numbers are unknown. The moment I actually calculated my reality, everything shifted."

I built this because I couldn't find what I needed when I was in it. Not a budgeting app. Not a motivational article. Just something that would show me my actual numbers — clearly, without noise.

So I built the calculator. Then kept going, because clarity about money is only part of what matters during a transition. The rest is understanding the terrain well enough to stop being afraid of it.

H
Heather, Founder of My Layoff Plan
Currently in transition. Building what I needed.
Read my full story →
What to Expect

How it usually feels over time.

This isn't a prescription. It's a map. Knowing the emotional terrain in advance makes it less disorienting when you're in it.

Month 1
"I need to figure this out immediately"
High adrenaline. Urgency in every direction. The work now: stabilize expenses, file for benefits, understand your actual runway. Not find a new job. Stabilize.
Month 2–3
"Why is this taking so long"
The urgency fades, then doubt moves in. Rejections accumulate. Routines matter more than motivation here. Keep moving.
Month 4–5
"Something is shifting"
Often the hardest financially, but also when clarity about what you actually want starts emerging. The pressure creates focus.
Month 6+
"I know more than I did"
The person who takes the next job is not the same person who lost the last one. What gives you juice now?
You're Not Alone

Things worth remembering right now.

For the moments when the spiral starts.

The urgency you feel is real. The timeline is not.
Job searches take longer than anyone expects. That's not a reflection of your value. It's just how the market moves.
Most people are further ahead financially than they think.
Before you've done the calculation, your brain fills in the worst numbers. Most people discover they have more time than the fear was suggesting. Do the math first.
Losing a job is not the same as losing your capability.
Everything you built — the skills, the relationships, the judgment — none of that left with the job title. A layoff is a contract ending. It's not a verdict on who you are.
Clarity is cumulative.
You won't know what's next at the end of week one. That's fine. Every decision you make — however small — builds momentum.
Resources

What Helped Me — Tools I Actually Use

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)

I tracked everything in a spreadsheet I built myself. But if I were starting over, I'd use YNAB. It handles the psychology of budgeting in a way spreadsheets don't.

Try YNAB free →

Personal finance reads

7 books that shaped how I think about money, independence, and what financial freedom actually means — with a note on each one.

See the reading list →

Subscription tracker

Most people underestimate what they spend on subscriptions. See your true monthly and annual total.

Track my subscriptions →
Emergency Fund

Where should I keep my emergency fund?

If your emergency fund is 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. Zero monthly maintenance fees.
✓
No minimum balance requirement
Access your money without penalty during a layoff.
✓
Easy transfers to and from checking
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 bills without touching your emergency fund.
Keep 6–12 months in a HYSA
Liquid, insured, earning a competitive rate.
Split across banks above FDIC limits
Over $250k? Spread across multiple insured institutions.
What to avoid
✕Teaser-rate accounts that drop after intro period
✕Accounts requiring direct deposit for the advertised rate
✕Unclear fintech sweep accounts for primary emergency cash
✕Accounts 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 →

Rates and terms change. Always verify current APY, fees, transfer timing, and FDIC/NCUA coverage directly with the institution before opening an account.

"You are not failing. You are in transition. Let's make the next steps a little clearer."
My Layoff Plan
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.