Runway math (how long cash lasts)
Runway is: cash available ÷ monthly essential spending. Example: $12,000 cash ÷ $3,000 essentials = 4 months. Start with current cash, then subtract only essentials (housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, minimum debt payments). This number guides every decision and reduces uncertainty.
Lower burn rate fast (without breaking your life)
Cut recurring expenses first: subscriptions, unused memberships, and nonessential services. Then negotiate the big items if needed (rent, car insurance, phone plan). Protect the essentials that keep you job-search-ready.
Map income bridges
If you have severance or unemployment, map out when it arrives and how long it covers. If not, treat any bridge income (freelance, part-time work, selling items) as runway extension. Small amounts matter when your burn rate is lower.
Weekly runway ritual
Once a week: update cash, confirm upcoming bills, and set a spending cap for the next 7 days. Mini checklist: runway months, bills due in 14 days, job-search costs, and one cut you can make. When runway improves, you’ll feel it immediately—and that confidence helps you stay consistent.