How this calculator works
You give us six inputs. We simulate your finances month-by-month for up to 18 months and tell you the exact month your accessible savings run out. The math is not clever — it’s just careful about the things people get wrong.
What’s included in the simulation:
- Starting cash = savings + severance (both after tax). Severance lands in month 1 in the model.
- Monthly income = UI benefit while weeks remain + side income starting in month 2.
- Monthly burn = your reported monthly expenses, held flat (no fantasy cuts).
- UI benefit converts weekly to monthly at 4.33 weeks/month, then stops when your available weeks run out.
- Side income starts in month 2 to reflect real ramp time.
What runway categories mean
The verdict badge tells you which zone you’re in:
- Green (6+ months): You have real space to interview well, negotiate hard, and not take the first offer. This is where good career moves come from.
- Amber (3–6 months): Enough to run a focused search but not enough to be picky. Start now, don’t wait, and take any 10-minute action that increases surface area (public writing, warm intros, application volume).
- Red (under 3 months): Move immediately. Cut discretionary spend, file for UI the day you’re eligible, take a bridge role if one appears at your level, and don’t hold out for a dream offer that may not come in time.
Common mistakes this calculator prevents
- Counting your 401(k) as runway. Early withdrawal is a 10% penalty on top of income tax. It’s not the same dollar as your HYSA. Only include liquid, unpenalized savings.
- Using a lean budget you won’t actually hit. Job searching is stressful. You will order takeout. Use your real last-3-months burn, not the fantasy version.
- Assuming UI covers a big share of a high salary. California’s max UI benefit is around $450/week — roughly $1,950/month before tax. A former $300K/year engineer sees a fraction of what they were making. Great to have; not enough to skip runway planning.
- Not budgeting COBRA / health insurance. COBRA for a family in the US can run $1,500–$2,500/month. If you’re losing employer coverage, add it to monthly expenses.
- Overestimating side income. Consulting sounds like $200/hour. Landing paying clients while job-searching in the first 30 days is hard. Model it conservatively; upside is a bonus.
Actions to extend your runway
- Delay large purchases. Cars, home renovations, big trips — every deferred expense is another week of runway.
- Renegotiate rent if you’re mid-lease and unemployed. Some landlords will accept a short-term reduction to avoid vacancy.
- Pause 401(k) contributions immediately — this frees cash without touching the underlying account.
- Move to an HDHP or ACA marketplace plan if COBRA is unaffordable. HSA-eligible plans can be dramatically cheaper.
- Consider a temp/contract bridge role at 60–80% of your target rate. Extends runway indefinitely while your primary search continues.
- File for UI the day you’re eligible. Every day of delay is a day of benefit you don’t get.