Here’s How To Budget If You’re In The Middle Of A Job Change

Unsplash/Artem Beliaikin

Changing jobs (or planning to)? You may have gotten a glorious offer, but what happens if your first day at the new company doesn’t fall immediately after your last day at your old company? Even if the timelines do match up seamlessly, depending on the new company’s pay schedule, your first paycheck may be delayed a few more weeks than you realize. So how do you budget? Well, here’s everything you need to consider to stay afloat.

1. Your Old — And New — Pay Schedules

Get a good idea of when you can first expect to be paid by listing your old company’s pay schedule and comparing it with your new company’s pay schedule. That way, you know when you’ll be paid last and how long you’ll have to wait to be paid again.

Unsplash/Eric Rothermel

2. Your Bills

When are your bills typically due? After you figure out your pay schedules and know when you’ll be paid again, check when you pay each of your bills. Attempt to extend those payments if you can until your next paycheck. If you can handle paying the bills during this time period, though, pat yourself on the back.

3. Your Old Job’s Payout

Aside from receiving your last paycheck, make sure to ask your old employer if they plan to pay you out for any unused paid time off or vacation time. You could plan for some extra cash if your old employer is willing to throw you whatever time you didn’t use as part of your last paycheck.

4. What You’re Working With

After considering your payout from your old job, how long you’ll wait till you get your first paycheck at your new job and what bills you’ve got to pay in between, figure out how much money you have left. If it’s not livable, look into pausing unnecessary subscriptions or get a budgeting app just to get you situated during this time.

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