Free Post-Layoff Budget Planner
Know your numbers, kill the panic. This template helps you figure out exactly where you stand financially, in about 15 minutes.
Download the Template
CSV file, open in Google Sheets, Excel, or Numbers. Fill in your numbers and see your runway instantly.
Download Budget TemplateTo use in Google Sheets: Download → Go to Google Sheets → File → Import → Upload the CSV
What's Inside
Step 1: Your Runway
Add up your savings, severance, unemployment benefits, and any other income. This is your fuel tank.
Step 2: The T-Chart
Two columns: “Must Pay” (rent, utilities, groceries) vs “Can Cut” (subscriptions, dining out, gym). See exactly where your money goes and what you can eliminate today.
Step 3: Your Numbers
The template calculates your monthly surplus or shortfall, and tells you exactly how many months of runway you have. Knowledge kills panic.
Step 4: Action Checklist
A checkbox list of everything you should do ASAP, file for unemployment, apply for SNAP, review health insurance, call creditors about hardship programs, and more.
Pro Tips
- 1.Do this with your partner if you have one. Being on the same page financially reduces stress for both of you.
- 2.Call every subscriptionand ask to cancel or pause. Most will let you pause for 1-3 months. That's free money.
- 3.Call your credit card companiesand ask about hardship programs. Most will lower your rate or let you skip payments temporarily. They'd rather work with you than send you to collections.
- 4.Apply for SNAP immediately.If your income just dropped to zero, you almost certainly qualify. That's $200-400/month off your grocery bill. See our Resources page for links.
- 5.You probably have more runway than you think. Once you add unemployment benefits and cut discretionary spending, most people find they have 3-6 months before things get truly tight.
Ready to file for unemployment? Find your state guide:
Find Your State