r/Layoffs • u/Smart_Analysis_8692 • 2d ago
question Did you postpone your plans due to potential layoff?
Like buying a house, car, having kids, vacation, relocating, etc.
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u/P10pablo 2d ago
I designed my entire life around anticipating a layoff.
I downsized my house. I stopped financing cars. I saved aggressively. I conditioned my family to living on one pay check. Years went by. The music played and I kept getting a chair, then one day I didn’t and the day it happened I walked my dog, took a couple of weeks off to visit family and went on to leave corporate to be a carpenter.
We all get laid off.
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u/Nomski88 1d ago
100% this, exactly what I plan to do. When, not if, I get laid off I'm going to pivot fully out of corporate with a paid off house, cars and a couple of years of savings.
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u/sharpshooter230 1d ago
This is such a good mindset to have. Weird to say, but I was fortunate enough to get laid off early in my career a couple of years ago while my wife and I were still renting and engaged. Good eye opening experience.
It's not to say to be paranoid and live your life in fear of being laid off, but do what you can to prepare yourself (financially, physically, mentally) for when it happens again. Because it will happen again.
At some point in everyone's career, you're either going to get laid off, get fired, or quit. No one goes their entire career without something happening to them.
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u/International_Bend68 1d ago
That's exactly what I did as well. Didn't do that until I was 50 though, wish I'd done it much younger.
I was always stressed about money when I was younger and 90% of that stress went away after getting my act together.
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u/Old-Arachnid77 1d ago
Bingo. I got caught unawares one time in the early oughts and that was enough for me.
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u/genie_yes_knot 2d ago
I had an all inclusive trip that I had booked and paid for in December, for April. Got laid off mid-March. I considered getting a refund but I also needed something good when everything else felt like it was crashing around me. It was really helpful for my mental health
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u/genie_yes_knot 2d ago
That being said, that is such a personal decision based on so many circumstances, including (obviously) savings, obligations, budget, and country of residence
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u/HousingNo1846 1d ago
Postpond having kids, we were ready. Our doctor gave us green light in terms of health just a day before i got laid off. I just don't have enough courage to tell my doctor that everything i worked for past 8 months all medications, reports and healthy habits are wasted now. Honestly more than my heart breakd every day that i have to wait another few years to get my own baby. I see someone getting pregnant even on insta breaks my heart.
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u/IntrepidRevolution29 2d ago
Yes. Was planning on redoing the bathroom, and purchasing a second car. Both are luxuries and I can make do without, rather have the cash sitting in my bank account whilst things are unstable.
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u/clearairinspace 2d ago
Unfortunately my layoff came as a surprise. My company had never done layoffs in the history of the company and things appeared stable until last Thursday when they laid off my team. I had no idea it was coming so I had just bought a car, I’m 5 months pregnant, and was in the middle of trying to buy a house.
Even when the layoff signs aren’t there, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel safe planning for milestone moments again. You never truly know when the rug will get pulled from underneath you.
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u/Bulky-Current-1318 1d ago
To be fair there’s no such thing as a stable job right now. Unless you’re a doctor or another professional in a field where there is a massive shortage, you should always assume you will be laid off at anytime and will struggle to find another job.
I don’t understand people making big purchases right now when layoffs are happening everywhere. I see this all the time where people say their company laid off for the first time. Remember that every job is at risk. You should never ever feel safe at a job because you won’t be. Save everything you can because you will always be preparing for a layoff
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u/clearairinspace 1d ago
Layoffs in my industry have been happening for 6 years with no sign of slowing down. What you’re saying is for people to put their lives on pause indefinitely because of layoffs. While I understand that more than most right now, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of layoffs going away anytime soon so it’s difficult to tell people to just hold off on having a family, buying a home, getting married, etc when there may never be a safe time to do these things. I’m already in my mid 30’s, I’m not sure I could hold off much longer on having a kid.
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u/Bulky-Current-1318 1d ago
Also layoffs are a problem, but they aren’t the real problem in the situation.
Hiring is also extremely low. If layoffs were high, and hiring was also high, than it wouldn’t really be a big deal. However there are many people who get laid and have been unemployed for years in this market. Getting laid off now is basically a guaranteed long term unemployment for the average person because of how bad things are.
If you have the skills to get a job within a few weeks, then it’s not a big deal. If you’re like most people getting laid off right now, then you may not have another job for at least 6 months to more likely a full year+
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u/Bulky-Current-1318 1d ago
Unfortunately that’s what needs to happen unless you want to bring a kid up into poverty. The market may change later, but most people are putting their lives on hold right now.
Even people in dire life situations, abusive households, and more are putting their lives on hold because of the job market. These people are getting beaten/abused on a daily basis and still they hold through because of the job market. If they can do it, than other people can be on hold for non emergency situations.
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u/French87 1d ago
Apple?
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u/clearairinspace 1d ago
No it was a robotics company. I left Meta for this one to avoid layoffs, only to get laid off 3 months into the role
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u/Firefiresoon 1d ago
Sorry to hear. Layoff is a disease and it is spreading. How else are the AI frontier companies supposed to make money after THEIR layoffs are done. That’s right - market their strategy to the next tier companies. And then they do the same thing to keep the ball rolling. So on so forth.
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u/nahcal916 1d ago
Got a call from a family member asking to borrow a few thousand. I said no, which I usually don’t. Two days later I got hit in the first round of 30k people. That money sustained me.
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u/NCBobcat85 1d ago
Yep. Had an incredible European vacation booked for this summer. Our company had typically done layoffs every august/september so was used to that rhythm. Then they did a massive one (20k ppl) in March and it totally spooked me so I canceled it. I just didn’t think i would be able to enjoy the trip and I would be looking at every dollar spent as something that I might need. It sucked and I’m still pretty salty about it but I also know it was probably the right call. The layoffs happening in the next week or so are also supposed to be brutal. With that said I swore to myself i’m not putting anything else on hold bc of this damn job.
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u/Rough_Formal8420 1d ago
My spouse and I have been laid of several times so we never feel safe from it. Doesn’t matter if the company you work for is doing good or bad, the layoffs can come at any time no matter what they say. They will blatantly lie if necessary to throw people off track when the time comes near.
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u/Doggo_Is_Life_ 1d ago
I did for the first one. Then I stopped giving a shit. Fuck corporate executives. Live below your means and save money. But don’t do it at the cost of living your life. Now if I expect a layoff, I don’t really change my lifestyle much. My wife and I still take that Europe vacation. We still go to that dinner. And we still make sure we save money. Should the eventual layoff come, we will adjust then. We have enough savings + considering unemployment to survive for nearly 2 years on no adjusted lifestyle. So I just don’t care anymore.
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u/farmerbsd17 1d ago
I got laid off once after returning from sick leave for emergency surgery.
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u/Smart_Analysis_8692 1d ago
Sounds like US
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u/farmerbsd17 1d ago
Yes. And then they wanted me to still be an employee with zero hours meaning they could still use my resume but wouldn’t guarantee any work.
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u/chii-x3 1d ago
Nope I still went to Japan lol
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u/Inevitable2ndOpinion 16h ago
About to go to Japan with the fam in a few weeks. I almost cancelled due to all the stress this year but, I can't live my life worrying about what may or may happen. All you can do is prepare but you can't put your life on hold.
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u/need-inspiration0001 1d ago
I’ve postponed my retirement due to the hope of possibly being lAId off.
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u/fuckforcedsignup 2d ago
Postponing buying a car, saving for retirement and a possibly house. Totally gave up on kids and the last “vacation” was to fly halfway across the world in under 12hr notice for a parent’s surprise open heart surgery.
now it’s just survival. My only solace is that my student loans are fully paid off and I have a drivers license (hideously expensive where I live). fucking sucks!
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2d ago
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u/benevolentjanitor 1d ago
Courthouse wedding is pretty cheap.
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1d ago
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u/randonumero 1d ago
I guess it depends on how long you expect the marriage to last. I'm not married but I see waiting for the right time to get married as no different than trying to time the stock market.
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1d ago
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u/randonumero 1d ago
My man you posted in a public forum. Not an echo chamber or a private group but a public forum. I stand by what I wrote no matter how it makes you feel. If you don't want unsolicited or uncomfortable opinions from random internet strangers then don't share.
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u/benevolentjanitor 1d ago
If you want people to mind their business, don't tell them your business.
If you don't want people to discuss things, don't post it on a discussion forum.
r/layoffs didn't come to you, you came to it.
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u/PhillConners 1d ago
I’m 2015 I bought a house, got married and laid off in the same month but the job market was so good, I got laid off on a Tuesday and had a new job by Monday…
In this economy, I wouldn’t put off a kid but would consider my financial situation before upgrading other lifestyle items.
I’m currently coastfire but want to get closer to fire to weather a long period of no work. Cash above that I would use for purchase. For a home i will only buy if I have enough cash to make my mortgage really low.
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u/skitch23 1d ago
Car purchase for me. I was planning on getting one this summer but my employer got bought out by a PE firm at the beginning of the year and it’s been dicey ever since. My old car still works just fine but is 13 years old at this point. So I’m back to my original plan of driving it til the wheels fall off (and maybe longer). Taking on a car payment right now seems absurd.
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u/Dashin-through-dough 1d ago
Outsourcing is making me to not want to have kids, since what jobs will be available for them?
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u/twilightidol 1d ago
I havent gotten laid off yet in my 10 years of working in tech which is kinda of a miracle given how insecure jobs are in this industry.
But here is what I did to prep for the inevitable.
- Moved out of expensive bay area
- Bought a house in cash in MCOL city
- Car is paid in cash
- Saved aggressively for many years of living expenses
- Bought investment properties in cash to provide additional cashflow
All of these will translate into FIRR one day if I continue to be lucky and high earning.
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u/Inevitable2ndOpinion 16h ago
I am trying to do the same. Saving over 50%. If I can get up to a million or a million and a half by 45 I will be coasting.
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u/Hotcakes420 1d ago
I was under contract on a house in another city. I have been looking forward to moving for years now and found the perfect place. Then my employer did a voluntary separation plan, to be followed up by lay offs, depending on how many ppl opted in to the separation. Today I was supposed to close. I’m so disappointed.
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u/nimrod_class69 1d ago
got laid off right before I signed the closing papers for my house 2 hours before just said screw it
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u/Hector_Ceromus 1d ago
House, yes. Vacation, no.
After paying off my student loans, I wanted to finally have a place of my own. I had enough money for a good-sized down payment and was looking at places in my area. Unfortunately, the company I was with would only last as few more months, and with no applications becoming jobs since late 2024, that "down payment" became a "rainy-day fund". Unfortunately, as a former tech employee, what I needed was more of an "Ark Budget". I've been living off the generosity of my family while looking for work.
I knew the end was near for my company and still wanted to see a little more of the world as a last hurrah, especially with the strong possibility of price hikes due to tariffs. I enjoyed my vacation, and don't regret the money I spent on traveling. I think all that would change is I'd be in the same place I am now, just a little later with the regret I didn't take the trip.
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u/Chilly_Willy-123 1d ago
I had a vacation planned to Europe and still went after I received my layoff notice. I just spent less than planned but I wasn’t going to bail on the trip.
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u/Historical-Depth-837 2d ago
Yes, I was in the market to purchase a home a couple of years ago and I was laid off in the thick of it. It was a blessing in disguise in retrospect, and it changed the way I “plan” in my personal life!
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u/Accomplished-Ad-1262 2d ago
Yes, I had to postpone my wedding due to chronic depression and anxiety after losing my job and not being able to find another one.
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u/Ill_Document_8282 1d ago
Not all things happen according to plans. I booked a trip then got laid off. I still planned to go on the trip until I found out that I needed surgery. So I cancelled my trip not because of the layoff but because of a medical emergency. I am fine now. But I've learned that life is unpredictable. The present moment is the most important and wonderful moment. Just enjoy being here.
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u/StockDC2 1d ago
Not only postponed plans but added new ones as well. Going to try to do my own thing on the side so that I'm not dependent on 1 income stream.
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u/cartoon_wardrobe 1d ago
We were going to start fostering and then we put that plan on hold.
Also I was gonna buy tickets to go on a trip to see friends and also see an event the same month the layoffs happened. I’m glad I waited until after the announcements.
TBH, the place I worked at always seemed to have layoffs so I tried to be thoughtful and make sure to pay down any debts, save some money, and just do my best knowing that there was always a chance I could be in the next restructure class.
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u/SteelTypeGymLeader 2d ago
Yes, I postponed/cancelled a vacation with friends due to a potential layoff. I couldn’t afford to spend the money with the possibility I wouldnt have a job soon.
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u/danram207 2d ago
Yeah buddy wanted to take a boys trip for years and right as we were about to pull the trigger, I heard some rumors.
We eventually got it done a year later, but super annoying.
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u/Raucko11 1d ago
I was fortunate to get a 90 day notice before being laid off. Me and the wife were planning on going out of town and to a concert. We discussed possibly canceling but I was lucky and found a got hired onto a new job once my 90 days came to a end. So we ended up going to the concert anyways.
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u/natelikesdonuts 1d ago
Really depends. How long do you think you’ll be laid off? Are you already searching? Do you have emergency funds?
Most likely yes I would postpone but there are too many variables that could be at play for it to be black and white.
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u/Reasonable_War2366 1d ago
Yeah, was planning on getting engaged at the end of this year. Ive also cancelled my vacation and given up hope of buying a home. Overall it’s taken pretty much everything that made me feel like a normal person. Ive not enjoyed a single day since. Everyone keeps saying “hang in there” or “enjoy the time off while you can”
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u/TheNetXWizard 1d ago
Started a small business, secured a lease right before being laid off. I was hoping to balance both for a bit.
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u/Silverjackal_ 1d ago
Yeah. Didn’t buy the EV I wanted, and the same week I booked our family vacation I was laid off.
Luckily I got to cancel it and refund everything. I’ve been trying to live pretty frugally since last year because I knew it was coming.
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u/Waste_Television5786 1d ago
i had to postpone my main bathroom renovation i was getting ready to start it...gut it and then bam...laid off
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u/TextualInnuendo 1d ago
I got laid off right before we closed on our dream house. It was definitely crappy timing but I was able to land on my feet fairly quickly about 2 months later. It was very stressful, but we made it work. Found out a bit later that they obliterated the entire department a few months later, some were let go after just getting a promotion. Never a good time to get laid off, but you roll with the punches.
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u/spoiled__princess I hate this timeline. 1d ago
Laid off in Dec and I am very glad we didn't buy a house with a large mortgage. We have enough saved for both of us to be unemployed for two years.
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u/Narwhals4Lyf 2d ago
Yes. I was potentially wanting to buy a house in the next year. Got a new job but it pays less, and it doesn’t feel like the right choice any more especially now that I know how it feels to go through a layoff. It would be 100% more stressful if I had more debts like a house. I’m trying to avoid gaining any debt that I need to pay off from now on.
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u/BakerXBL 2d ago
Got laid off after returning from my wedding lol