Take Work Where You Can Get It... My husband is a paramedic and his company allows overtime. Without hesitating, he immediately started requesting to work any open shifts he could find. I used my network to find some freelance work so that I still had some money coming in. Don't be afraid to reach out to your contacts and let them know what happened and that you're available immediately for short-term projects. Also think about skills you have that may or may not be in relation to your previous job: Things like tutoring or dog-walking can be quick, easy ways to get a little extra cash flow while you figure out your next step.
...But Don't Assume You Can't Apply for Full-Time Jobs Too. "If you aren't visibly pregnant, I wouldn't even mention [the pregnancy]. But if you are, you need to make clear that you are enthusiastic about the position and willing to jump right in right until you give birth," says Levit. Just save any maternity-leave questions until you actually receive an offer. "It's not appropriate to ask about it until you are being offered the position—just as you would ask about medical benefits, vacation, 401(k), etc.," says Bruzzese.
Make Sure You're Living Within Your (New) Means. My husband and I recently made the move to the 'burbs where our rent and all-around expenses are much less than they were in the city. But we also eliminated our habit of taking cabs and ordering takeout every night. My husband joked that just by quitting cabs alone we were practically making money!
Find Your Support System. "The Working Moms discussion boards on websites like babycenter.com are terrific for advice on this kind of thing," says Levit. "You may feel alone, but I guarantee you will find hundreds of women who are going through, or have gone through, the exact same thing."
Prep for Another Shake-Up. Levit says it's ideal to put 10 to 15 percent of every paycheck away. You also should use resources available to you to figure out a personal savings plan: "Visit your local bank or community financial center and see if they can help you set up a budget," says Bruzzese. While you're growing your savings, you should also grow your network both online and offline. She continues: "You need to always have a plan in place so that if you were to lose your job tomorrow, you have some emergency funds stashed away, and can begin making calls to find another position."
Look for the Bright Side. I wish my husband and I had both been more vigilant with our finances before we had to be. But here we are, having no choice but to go into survival mode, and it's been amazing to see how the experience has helped us transform into parents, making sure we're doing everything we can to give our baby a good life. I also have to admit something: I feel a bit of relief. In the weeks before the layoff occurred, I was stressing about commuting with a giant belly, asking for extra days off for the crush of doctor appointments in the last stretch of pregnancy, as well as planning for my maternity leave. All these things kept me up at night, even though I loved my job. Will I go back to full-time work? Absolutely. But for now, I'm going to enjoy my new role: mom.
If you were laid off tomorrow, would you be prepared for it? Share your backup plan in the comments!
