Many people dream of quitting the 9 to 5 hustle. For some, the idea of going into business for themselves or taking a travel-sabbatical sounds exhilarating. Others may need to exit a toxic workplace before they’ve found a new job with a different employer. Whatever the reason for wanting to quit your job, if you’re like most, you’ll still have bills to pay.
Quitting your job without a plan for keeping up with your financial obligations could prove challenging without a regular paycheck, steady benefits, or a smart exit strategy. So, if you’re already plotting your resignation, here are six money moves to consider first—and well before you quit your job for good.
6 Steps to Financially Prepare to Quit Your Job
The drop in income that usually comes with quitting a job can cause a lot of anxiety and fear. Along with reducing spending, increasing saving, and paying off debt, having an exit strategy can make the transition smoother.
1. Build up your emergency fund.
Experts recommend having three to six months of living expenses in emergency savings to cover surprise bills or ongoing costs if you’re out of work. If your essential expenses are roughly $3,000 per month, that would mean having at least $9,000 to $18,000 set aside in emergency savings before quitting your job. However, if you plan to have no income for longer than six months or want more of a financial buffer, setting aside even more is recommended.
According to April 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, it’s been taking about five months on average for unemployed workers to find a new job. Saving up as much money as possible can provide a buffer in case it takes you longer than expected.
2. Create a bare-bones budget.
A bare-bones budget means cutting your spending down to the bare minimum—covering only the most basic, necessary expenses—with minimal to no discretionary spending. Bare-bones budgets are very restrictive, so they’re typically used only as a temporary measure (not as a long-term budget plan) to dramatically reduce spending. Cutting back to just the basics for a few months (or more) before quitting your job can help you build savings faster and help your savings last longer once you decide to leave.
Start building a bare-bones budget by isolating your necessary expenses from your other spending. Your credit card and bank statements can help you quickly identify and highlight those transactions. Basic expenses generally will include items such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, health insurance, groceries for meals cooked at home, childcare, minimum debt payments, and basic transportation. Once you’ve identified your necessary expenses, it’s much easier to decide what expenses should be cut.
Ordinarily, it makes sense to budget for things you want or enjoy, such as concerts, dining out, or streaming services. But when you’re reducing your spending to save as much money as you possibly can before quitting your job, every penny counts. Contributions to a retirement plan should remain a priority, however, this may mean temporarily reducing the amount you set aside each month.
3. Consider your options for medical insurance.
Once you quit your job, you’ll continue to need medical coverage in the event of injury or illness. COBRA allows you to continue coverage (usually for up to 18 months) after you leave your employer. You can also buy an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan through a public exchange or the health insurance marketplace. Or switching to your spouse or partner’s plan may be a possibility.
When it comes to cost, marketplace plans are usually more favorable, however, COBRA has no pre-existing medical conditions clause that would prevent you from receiving treatment. If you’re under age 26 you may be able to get coverage under your parent’s health insurance plan.
4. Consolidate high-interest debt.
Well before you decide to leave your job, plan for how you’ll continue paying off debt, such as credit cards and student loans. For example, while you’re still employed, you might consider taking out a fixed-rate personal loan to consolidate multiple high-interest credit cards into one single monthly payment. Consolidating at a lower interest rate than you’re paying on all those cards combined could reduce your overall cost of borrowing.
After you leave your job, in some instances student loan borrowers may be able to pause payments with a deferment or hardship forbearance during an employment gap, depending on whether you have a federal or private student loan. Check with your lender if you think you may have trouble repaying your student loans. Generally, for federal loans, you must be receiving unemployment benefits or actively seeking work to get an unemployment deferment. Also, interest may still accrue even with payments suspended, increasing your balance. Making interest-only payments during deferment or forbearance can prevent your loan balance from growing.
5. Decide what to do with your 401(k).
If you have a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, log into your account to review your balance and other details that may require attention. For example:
Will you need to do an IRA rollover? Typically, you can keep your 401(k) with your former employer, roll it over into an IRA, or cash out the account when you leave your job (though cashing out may result in a substantial tax penalty). Rolling the funds into an IRA is usually best to avoid penalties. Be sure to compare the fees from your existing plan versus an IRA and make a cost-effective choice.
Did you borrow money from your 401(k)? While some employer plans may allow you to continue making installment payments on a 401(k) loan, others may expect immediate repayment when you leave. If you don’t repay what is owed according to your employer plan, it could result in an unexpected tax bill.
If you leave your retirement savings with your employer, just don’t forget about it. A 2023 study found that there are an estimated 29.2 million “forgotten” 401(k)s representing $1.65 trillion in assets. Even if your account is small, it’s worth keeping an eye on given the potential long-term growth you could see from those returns.
6. Start your new business (or job search) while still employed.
A common exit strategy is to stay at your current job to keep a steady income flow until you’ve either received a new offer from another employer or are truly ready to launch out on your own. If you’re not anxious about making your rent or mortgage payment, you’ll be able to focus your attention on what is important, such as making sure your idea is viable, pricing your services, or taking your time to interview potential new employers. It will also give you time to prepare for whatever comes next: opening a business bank account, setting up bookkeeping and tax software, creating a go-to-market plan, or obtaining a certification.
The Bottom Line
Quitting a job before lining up another one was once considered taboo. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision, and depending on the circ*mstances, it could be the right one for you. If you want to plan for what to do before quitting your job, the steps above can help get your money in order before you make a move.
With enough savings in the bank, debt and expenses under control, and an exit strategy in place before you say goodbye, you’ll have more peace of mind whenever you finally do decide to quit.
You May Also Like
Related Resource Center
Money and mental health: Is burnout affecting your finances?
Take control of your money and personal wellbeing with tips to recognize burnout and restore your physical, financial, and emotional health.
Personal Finance
Jul 28, 2024
6 min read
5 ways to make sure you stick to your budget
Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but having a clear goal and rewards can help you stay on track.
Personal Finance
Jun 27, 2024
4 min read
Debt Snowball Method: 6 Steps to Decimate Debt
Are you making only minimum payments on multiple credit card and other debt balances? If you’ve got a bit of extra cash earmarked for debt repayment and need a little motivation to start paying those balances down, now could be just the right time to consider putting the debt snowball method into action.
Personal Finance
Jun 26, 2024
8 min read
Soft inquiries won’t impact your credit scores, and hard inquiries can hurt your scores slightly. Here's what you need to know.
Personal Finance
Jun 25, 2024
7 min read
How to Build a Strong Financial Foundation in 5 Simple Steps
A recent survey shows 60% of U.S. adults, including more than four in 10 high-income earners, are living paycheck to paycheck. How can we all get to a place where we’re empowered with our money?
Personal Finance
Jun 25, 2024
5 min read
Related Impact
Members Earn More Cash Back and Rewards With Stackit
From groceries and diapers to Halloween costumes for pets, nearly 60% of American consumers prefer to shop online for everyday items that make life more convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable. And with rising prices showing no signs of stopping anytime soon, we’re pleased to introduce StackitTM from LendingClub Bank—a new browser extension that automatically finds and rewards eligible members with coupons and cash back for extra savings at more than 15,000 favorite online retailers.
Company News
Nov 13, 2022
2 min read
LendingClub Rewards Checking Nationally Certified as Trusted, Affordable
Even in today’s low-yield, high-inflation environment, it’s essential to keep a certain amount of money in an easy-to-access checking or savings account for things like daily household and emergency expenses, or to meet short-term financial goals.
Company News
Oct 2, 2022
5 min read
LendingClub Surpasses 4 Million Members
Since 2007, LendingClub has been on a mission to deliver a world-class experience to all our members. This month we took a moment to reflect on the more than four millionmembers who have chosen LendingClub as their partner to help them reach their financial goals.
Company News
Apr 19, 2022
2 min read
LendingClub Celebrates One Year as a Digital Marketplace Bank
In March 2022, we hosted our first quarterly webinar where we celebrated our one-year anniversary as a digital marketplace bank.
Company News
Mar 6, 2022
less than a minute read
Changes to Our Business Model
LendingClub completed the acquisition of Radius Bank in February 2021. At that time, in addition to the direct-to-consumerdepositbusiness, we inherited a fintech partner program,andseveral lendingbusinesses.As we reach the one-year anniversary of the acquisition, and in conjunction with the conclusion of a strategic review of our business operations, we have made the decision to discontinuecertain businesses that don’t fit our mission.
Company News
Jan 2, 2022
2 min read
Related FAQ's
How Do I Make Payments on Auto Refinance Loans?
We offer several ways for you to make your monthly auto loan payment, so you can choose the method that works best for you. A statement will be mailed to you every month that shows the payment amount and due date.
Auto Refinance FAQ
Nov 29, 2023
less than a minute read
Is There a Summary of Annual Earnings for My Account?
LendingClub provides a year-endstatementthat summarizes your account activity, including how much interest you’ve earned and information regarding Notes tied to loans that have beencharged off.
Investing FAQ
Jun 7, 2023
less than a minute read
How Do I Make Changes to My Payment Date?
How Do I Make Changes to My Payment Date?
Business Loan FAQ
Jun 7, 2023
less than a minute read
Where Can Investors See Ongoing Collection Activities on Late Notes?
LendingClub makes every effort to bringlate Notesback to "current"status. We'll update you with any collection activity related to your Notes throughthe Loan Performance pagein your Member Center.
Investing FAQ
Jun 7, 2023
less than a minute read
How Do I Apply for an Auto Refinance Loan?
Our quick application process asks for a few details to get you the best rate possible and to make sure your Auto Refinance runs smoothly.
Auto Refinance FAQ
Jun 7, 2023
2 min read
Related Glossary
Revolving Credit
{noun} A type of credit that allows the borrower to make charges and payments against a set borrowing limit, paying interest only on outstanding balances.
R Letter Term
Sep 6, 2023
4 min read
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
{noun} The total annual cost to borrow money, including fees, expressed as a percentage.
A Letter Term
Mar 21, 2023
3 min read
Accrued Interest
{noun} The amount of unpaid interest that has accumulated as of a specific date, either on a loan or an interest-bearing account or investment.
A Letter Term
Mar 21, 2023
4 min read
Charge-Off
A debt that is written off as a loss because the financial institution or creditor believes it is no longer collectible due to a substantial period of nonpayment.
C Letter Term
Feb 7, 2023
3 min read
Fixed Interest Rate
{noun} An interest rate that remains the same for a set time, usually for the life of the loan.
F Letter Term
Feb 4, 2023
3 min read