Well today was my last day at work but don’t feel sorry for me as I got a generous severance package. And it came at the perfect time, right before summer so I can take a very long vacation traveling South America where it’s nice and cool.
It’s strange but the three times I’ve been laid off in my career were at times of great economic financial crisis. The first was in 2008 (Great Financial Crisis), the second in 2020 (Covid), and now 2025. The firm I worked for seems to be in deep financial trouble because they’ve done 3 rounds of layoffs this year and cut all expenses, I was axed in this last round.
I have money in my deferred comp plan so I hope to get that out before the end of the year because the last time this happened in 2008, the company ended up going bankrupt and employees lost everything. If history and the pattern holds, we’re heading for some type of great financial crisis over the next 12 months possibly with many bankruptcies. I don’t want this to happen but history has a way of repeating and I always hope for the best but plan for the worst. The really worrying thing is Warren Buffett has sold off all his financial stocks according to the last report filed.
Of course, I’ve been preparing for this scenario since 2023 and I’m glad I did. I have no debt at this point except for a loan on one property rental. I’ve cut most of my expenses, reviewed my risk management strategy and I am debating whether I want to fully retire now or start looking for a new job when I finish my summer vacation.
I am hoping I’ll get “refreshed” after a very long vacation and able to work another year or two but I won’t know that until later this year. I’ve written about burnout twice here and here and it’s very real for me but right now I have euphoric relief I’ll be able to take time off.
What’s Next
I have been using the recent stock market rally to offload stocks that I’m iffy about. I am raising cash just in case we are headed for a major crash at which point, I’ll re-invest some funds. I should have just listened to Warren Buffett’s trading strategy and sat on cash entirely.
I’ll probably head to South America for the summer. I will probably visit 3 or 4 countries and I’ve already had a friend asked if he could join me on my trip.
Oddly enough, I’m not worried about money or a job and it’s a great relief.
Share The Wealth
Are you worried about being laid off or have you been laid off? Let me know in the comments below
Hang in there bro. you got it.