The “panic premium”: the hidden cost most people miss Look, the real budget risk in a layoff isn’t just the paycheck going quiet. It’s reaction time. The cost shows up in the first 30-60 days when stress is high and you’re making fast, expensive decisions, late fees, swiping high-APR cards, cashing out retirement because the rent clock doesn’t care. I call that pile-up the “panic premium,” and it’s sneaky-big. The Federal Reserve’s G.19 data shows the average credit card APR on accounts assessed interest was about 22-23% in Q2 2025, call it ~22.8% if I remember correctly. Carry $4,000 for…

What pros wish you knew about sabbaticals (and cash) So, here’s the thing about sabbaticals and cash in 2025: the number you need isn’t “six months of expenses.” That’s a vibe, not a plan. What pros actually build is a Sabbatical Number with three distinct parts, your sabbatical living costs, your re-entry runway, and a separate, do-not-touch emergency fund. Three buckets. Three different jobs. If you mix them, you’ll overspend or panic early. I’ve seen both, more than once. Your Sabbatical Number = (1) Sabbatical living costs + (2) Re-entry runway + (3) Emergency fund. Simple equation, but the inputs…

The hidden cost you’re probably missing: fees, shutoffs, and time So, here’s the thing, when money’s tight, it’s not just the bill you see that hurts. It’s the sneaky add-ons that turn a tough month into a full-blown cash flow spiral. Late fees, reconnection fees, court costs, the hours you lose on hold with three different agencies, those stack up fast. And in 2025, with rents still elevated in a lot of metros and utility prices swinging with heat waves and storms, speed matters. A lot. What actually happens when you fall behind? Late and reconnection fees aren’t small. Across…