NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
Start Feeling Better About Money Today and Learn How to Manage Finances After a Layoff
Mon, 12 May 2025
Learn how to navigate job loss and reshape your money mindset to feel more in control — emotionally and financially. What should you do with your money after losing a job? How can you feel better about money and stop stressing about finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss managing job loss and improving your relationship with money to help you understand both the practical and emotional sides of financial well-being. NerdWallet writer Kim Palmer joins the show to share her conversation with Aja Evans, a financial therapist and author of Feel-Good Finance: Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being. They discuss money taboos and financial trauma, with tips and tricks on how to open up about money, build healthier habits, and understand your emotional triggers. Then, Bri, a listener from Chicago, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss navigating job loss and making tough financial decisions. They discuss how to choose between COBRA and marketplace health insurance, when to consider tapping savings or debt, and how to balance job search priorities without derailing your financial future. They also share smart strategies for cutting spending, staying motivated with rewards-based goals, and deciding what to do with old retirement accounts. Learn more about NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast Book Club: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/bookclub In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: job loss finances, what to do after losing a job, COBRA vs marketplace insurance, unemployment benefits, high-yield savings accounts, emotional spending, financial trauma, money shame, how to budget after layoff, unemployment job search tips, how to choose health insurance after job loss, rollover retirement account, how to talk about money, financial therapy, coping with job loss, 50/30/20 budget rule, rebuilding emergency funds, how to negotiate salary, unemployment and freelance work, how to cut spending fast, when to tap retirement savings, mental health and money, money mindset, smart budgeting strategies, financial stress relief, marketplace health insurance, spending triggers, navigating layoffs, unemployment and part-time work, personal budgeting goals, rebuilding after job loss, job loss recovery plan, financial therapy techniques, affordable health insurance options, rolling over 401(k), money taboos, improving financial habits, saving during unemployment, and the emotional impact of job loss. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
Chapter 1: Who are the hosts and what is the episode about?
Hey Elizabeth, when you think about your life and your money, what feels good about your finances?
I think what feels really good for me right now is for the first time in a while, I am sticking to my budget and I also don't feel deprived. So I feel, if I might say, in control of my finances.
I love to hear that. I thought you were going to say spending money feels good. I know that's always true.
It does, but I'm spending within my budget and that feels great.
So responsible. We love to hear it. Well, we know it's not always easy to feel good about your finances. So this episode, we got some advice so you can feel better about your money mood. Welcome to NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, where you send us your money questions and we answer them with the help of our genius nerds. I'm Sean Piles.
And I'm Elizabeth Ayola. This episode, we talk with a listener who was just laid off about the smart money moves they should make at this pivotal moment in their life.
But first, we have the next installment of our nerdy book club series, which is led by regular Smart Money guest and friend of the pod, NerdWallet writer Kim Palmer. Kim, who are you talking with this episode?
I'll be talking with Asia Evans, a financial therapist and author of Feel Good Finance. Untangle your relationship with money for better mental, emotional, and financial well-being. She has a lot of really helpful ideas about how we can improve the way we talk and how we handle money in our lives.
Sounds great. Well, we also want to remind listeners that you can enter for a chance to win our book giveaway at nerdwallet.com slash book club for our next book club pick. And with that, Kim, take it away.
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Chapter 2: What are the financial taboos and how do they affect our money mindset?
Yeah, that totally makes sense. The very first thing I did was file for unemployment, and thankfully that was approved. I certified for the first time last week, and one of the questions is, did you turn down any paid work?
And that's in the back of my mind as I think about like a part-time role, for example, where it's something to help get me through, but does that compromise or jeopardize the unemployment rate? if I say yes, that I turn down something or even a full-time role for that matter.
I am not entirely certain how saying whether you turn down a role could impact your unemployment benefits. That's something that you would want to ask that office about because the rules can vary by state. But in general, if you are working a job, even if it's just a part-time job, that can impact the amount of unemployment benefits that you receive.
You could still receive partial benefits if you're working while on unemployment insurance, but you have to report the income that you're getting.
I also wanted to ask you kind of related to what you're saying. I know that when I have gone through gaps in my resume, whether it be leaving a job or losing my job, I have always leaned on contract work. So how much of an option is that for you? Are you open to that? Are there freelance opportunities that you can explore?
Yeah, it's interesting. I've done contract work in the past. The instability of it makes me nervous. And so I think if my back was against the wall and I was choosing, I'd probably take even an in-person part-time role locally in Chicago and keep searching for something more before I did contract work, just to have some sort of stability and reliability along the way.
It's easier to get a job when you already have a job. So if you have a chance to get in the door, that may well be your best chance to find something better.
That's a really great point. I had not thought about that.
I understand wanting to do your due diligence at this new job and really put in the effort, but you have to follow what's right for you and your career. So even if a month in, you get a job offer from somewhere else that is a much better fit, That's what's right for you. And I wouldn't feel guilty about leaving that new job.
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