Welcome back to Live Rich Retire Rich.

I saw a stat this week that made me pause: according to a recent Gallup survey, 6 in 10 Americans expect unemployment to rise in 2026.

That means a lot of people are quietly doing mental math while making dinner. A lot of people are checking their email with tension in their shoulders. A lot of "I'm fine" is actually "I'm trying not to panic."

Deep breath, my friends.

Worry is human. The goal isn't to shame yourself for feeling anxious. The goal is to convert that anxiety into action so you feel steadier, stronger, and more prepared no matter what the economy does next.

Here's the truth: whether the economy turns is out of your control. Whether your company reorganizes is out of your control. Whether your boss changes priorities is out of your control.

But are you prepared? That's entirely in your control.

And preparation is powerful. Not because it guarantees nothing bad will ever happen. But because it means if something happens, you won't fall apart. You'll pivot. You'll breathe. You'll move.

Today I'm giving you three steps to prepare for a layoff (or any income disruption) without spiraling into fear.

These are not complicated. They're not trendy. They're not "get rich quick."

They're practical. And they work.

You know my rule: I want you to have eight to twelve months of living expenses in a liquid savings account.

Yes, I said eight to twelve. Not one. Not two. Not "I have a credit card so I'm okay."

In a healthy job market, the average job search takes months. In a market where unemployment rises? That timeline stretches. Industries tighten. Hiring freezes happen. Budgets get weird.

And if you're over 50, hear me clearly: your job search may take longer. That's not pessimism. That's reality. Older workers often face longer timelines because hiring can be slower, pickier, and biased.

It's not eight months of your full lifestyle. It's eight months of baseline survival: housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, minimum debt payments, insurance, basic phone/internet.

Total one month of those essentials. Multiply by eight. That's your minimum target.

If that number feels intimidating, good. That means you're being honest.

Instead of staring at the full goal, build it in rungs:

Every rung changes how you sleep at night. Don't skip the first one because it feels "small." Small is how you win.

High-yield savings account, separate from checking. The point isn't earning a fortune in interest. The point is: it's accessible when life happens, and it doesn't get casually spent.

And please: don't invest emergency money in something that can drop right when you need it. The emergency fund is not there to perform. It's there to protect.

There is never a bad time to audit your spending. But if you're worried about your job, doing it now gives you two things: more money to direct into your emergency fund, and confidence because you're taking control.

This is not about punishment. This is about building a financial life where one unexpected event doesn't knock you off your feet.

Pull up your last 30 days of spending and label every category:

Need: keeps life functioning (housing, utilities, groceries, basic transportation)
Want: enjoyable, optional, flexible (eating out, streaming, shopping)
Leak: you don't even care about this but it's still happening (unused subscriptions, random fees, impulse orders)

Most people find $150-$400 in leaks and soft wants without changing their identity or happiness.

Every dollar you save needs a new job. Otherwise, it quietly gets reassigned to random spending.

Priority order:

If you're worried about job stability, an emergency fund stays at the top.

Don't stop at wants. You can also cut the cost of needs: call for insurance re-quotes, negotiate internet/cell plans, meal plan to reduce grocery waste, shop your prescriptions, review recurring memberships. These aren't glamorous moves. They're grown-up moves. They add up.

If you're concerned about losing a job, plan for a cost that blindsides many families: health insurance premiums.

A lot of people assume, "If I lose my job, I'll just keep my insurance." Technically yes, through COBRA. But there's a huge catch:

Your employer will no longer pay their share.

You'll be responsible for 100% of the premium, sometimes 102% to cover administrative costs. That's why COBRA feels like a punch in the chest. People go from "my paycheck deduction is manageable" to "wait… it's HOW much per month?"

Find out what your current plan costs in total (not just what you pay), and what COBRA would cost monthly for you and your family. You can usually get this from HR or your benefits portal.

Then compare it to ACA options at healthcare.gov. Even if you never use it, knowing your potential range gives you power. You're not guessing. You're planning.

Write down a one-page plan, so your brain doesn't go blank under stress.

If I lose my job, I will:

Stress makes people freeze. Plans keep you moving.

Preparing for a layoff is not negative thinking. It is self-respect.

It's you saying: I'm not going to let my life be one emergency away from chaos.

And if unemployment doesn't rise? If your job stays stable? If nothing changes?

You still win.

Because you built savings. You reduced waste. You strengthened your foundation. You created options.

That is what it means to live rich now: peace.

And retire rich later: stability.

Now is the time to prepare.

With your stability in mind,
Najma Zanelli
Explore Offerings
Founder, NAZ Global Consultancy
Follow me on IG: @najma_zanelli
Email: [email protected]

P.S. If this newsletter calmed you down even 5%, forward it to someone who's quietly stressed right now. Sometimes the best support isn't advice. It's a plan.