I was laid off. Which money decisions come first?

A layoff can put several money questions in front of you at the same time. The fastest choice is not always the clearest choice. A short pause to build one complete view can make the next step easier.

First, collect the facts

Begin with the documents and dates that can change your options. Put them on one page. Do not rely on memory while everything is moving.

You do not need to solve every item today. You need to see which dates arrive first and which choices can wait.

Next, choose an order

Sort the decisions into three groups: now, soon, and later. The exact order depends on your documents, household needs, and available options.

Now

Protect the basics. Confirm the next pay dates, the health coverage end date, and the amount of cash available for regular bills.

Soon

Review choices that have an enrollment window, election date, or plan deadline. Write the actual date beside each choice.

Later

Give long term account moves and investment changes enough room for a real comparison. A career change does not require every account to move at once.

Then, connect the choices

Severance, equity, health coverage, retirement accounts, cash, and taxes may appear on separate forms. They still affect the same household plan.

Before making a large move, ask what else changes with it. Does it affect near term cash? Does it create a tax question? Does another benefit election need to happen first? Is a plan deadline involved?

The goal is not to predict everything. It is to keep one choice from quietly creating a problem somewhere else.

A good first meeting should leave you with a short order of operations, not a longer pile of choices.