How Will You Pay Your Bills If You Lose Your Job?

Layoffs are up 42 percent since last year, with over 75,000 job cuts putting the livelihoods of many Americans at risk.  And despite growth, both the retail and energy sectors are leading the way in job cuts. Are you next? How would you pay your bills if you found yourself suddenly without a job?

Unpaid Debts

Job losses can come at anytime.  If you lose your job you may feel that you have no other choice than to stop paying your bills. You may begin paying just the minimum on credit cards, skipping mortgage payments, and putting off the payment of your electricity bill. Unfortunately, it’s this type of strategy that can make the damage of job loss worse. By delaying the payment of your bills, you create a domino effect of interest, late payments, charge offs, and lawsuits that can harm your credit.  And in some cases, bad credit can make it difficult to get hired especially in a field where you’re handling money.

Prepare Now

While it’s impossible for anyone to totally avoid the consequences of a job loss, by preparing in advance you can relieve some of the pain and avoid many of the major pitfalls.

1. See the red flags. Let’s face it, this economy is connected—all sectors depend on each other. So when you see major layoffs in one or two sectors, you will likely eventually see layoffs in others. Recessions are a part of modern life, so learn to recognize the red flags when they’re staring you in the face.
2. Have an emergency savings. Building an emergency savings account may seem like a no-brainer, but it can feel like a luxury when you’re struggling to pay the basics. Make sure you have at least six months savings in a bank account. When you lose your job, you’ll be glad you have enough cash to pay the rent while you figure out your next move.
3. Consider bankruptcy.  Everyone wants to pay their bills, but sometimes it’s simply not possible. If you have so many debts that they significantly outsize your income you need to seriously consider filing bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy will help you take the sting out of a job loss because it frees up your money so that you can put it into a savings account, your home, or some other useful investment.

Don’t Delay

If we’re facing another major recession, it’s smart to take care of your financial troubles today. Every day that you put off paying your debts in Chapter 13 bankruptcy or discharging them in Chapter 7 is another day that interest racks up and creditors continue to hound you for payment. Don’t delay getting a fresh start any longer, call me today to learn about your bankruptcy options in California.