Some thoughts:<p>Put your money into an HSA rather than an FSA. It's a free extra retirement account.<p>You don't need to worry about being locked out of your 401K after being sacked. It's still your money and they have to give you access to it, even after you're sacked. Transfer the money out to a separate 401K account that only you control after you've left the company. (Or don't, because I'm pretty sure they have to keep your account open indefinitely, but IANAL so ask a professional)<p>You should practice interviewing well before your last day. Interview somewhere you'd like to work at least every 6 months. Tell them you're not looking to move right away but you're curious about their company and team an open to hearing about new opportunities. Keep in contact afterward.<p>Not mentioned there, but commuter benefits cards have an expiration after which you can't spend the money, so make sure if you have a balance that you spend it before it expires. I once built up $250 on a card and forgot about it.
A Note about FSA vs MSA/HSA. in the United States<p>FSA = Flexible Spending Account.<p>Every year you elect to set aside a certain amount of money. (ie $2000 per benefit year). This money is deducted over the course of the year, but you are eligible to access the entire amount once the benefit year starts. But here is the rub, if you don't spend it you lose the money to whomever is managing the spending account.<p>MSA/HSA = Medical Savings Account/ Health Savings Account
You elect to set aside a certain amount of money per paycheck into a tax advantaged account. The Money is deducted per pay period. The Amount accessible is whatever the account balance is. You do not have to spend all of the money in a calendar year. You maintain access to that money forever.<p>Things to consider if you have an FSA account:
1) Are you ahead or behind in your reimbursements vs. payroll contributions.
Behind = You have paid more into the account than you have received in reimbursements
Ahead = You have paid less into the account than you received in reimbursements.<p>2) Do you have any expenses that you have not submitted? -- Do that NOW<p>3) Can you generate new expenses that you can submit for reimbursement before your window closes? Do that NOW.<p>The goal is to be ahead on the curve. Ideally you want to submit expenses that will bring your account balance to $0. Remember when I said if you don't spend it someone else gets to keep it? Well, the flipside is also true. You are able to access the entire balance on Day 1 of the benefit year. If you have valid expenses, you can be reimbursed for the entire balance on Day 2. If the company lays you off on Day3 before you contributed a dime, sucks to be them. The same entity that gets to keep the excess, is the same entity that must make up the difference.<p>So, if your benefits end at the end of the month, now is the time to get new glasses or dental work to draw down that balance - either to $0 or to where you are Ahead.<p>Things to consider if you have an MSA/HSA account:
You can use this money for medical-related expenses. It may allow you to maintain your prescriptions and minor health issues long enough for your new job benefits to kick in and avoid the expense of COBRA. You have a certain window after termination to elect for COBRA so its something to consider.
> Document your accomplishments<p>I’ve had a quarterly updated resume and longer form career document for over a decade. I don’t think I’ve ever had to update my resume specifically for a job opportunity. It’s constantly updated.<p>> While you still have access to Slack, ask your manager, previous managers, and/or colleagues you worked closely with if they would be willing to give a reference check for you for your next role.<p>You should already have them as contacts on LinkedIn<p>> Potentially also ask for endorsements on LinkedIn<p>On the other hand LinkedIn is merely a place to keep my contacts. I find it to be more of a self aggrandizing cesspool than Facebook.
Related discussion from 2 days ago:<p><i>Effective Immediately: A central hub for people who've been recently laid off (2020)</i><p><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35670646" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35670646</a> (98 comments)
I think this is really smart. I made a runbook for a previously-announced layoff including contacts I'd reach out to, companies I'm interested in, etc. I had a full checklist of activities to help me feel productive if I was laid off. Making that checklist was a really helpful exercise to help calm my mind while I was waiting to find out if I was laid off or not.<p>Thankfully I wasn't laid off this time, but I plan on keeping this list updated over time.
> If you are receiving severance, sign the necessary paperwork as soon as possible so that your first payment is not delayed.
> NB: after reading the paperwork to make sure none of the clauses are non-starters for you.<p>PLEASE PLEASE consult with a lawyer to make sure you are getting what is fairly owed to you, and don't sign until you do.<p>In many places you have to be given time to do such a consult; if not then the document isn't binding.<p>If you've consulted and things are okay, then don't delay, I fully agree.