A Week In Philadelphia On Unemployment

📋 The basics

I am 37 years old, living in Philadelphia, PA. My life looks a lot different than it did a year ago. I was laid off from a $225,000/year Finance Director role in January. Right now, I am technically unemployed, though I am working my tail off as a fitness franchise manager (getting it off the ground) and doing some part-time organizing work.

• 💰 Income: $605/week (Unemployment) + $20/hour (Part-time organizing).
• 🏦 Assets: $364,000 in a brokerage account (mostly old RSUs), $154,000 in a 401(k), and $40,000 in an emergency fund.
• 🏠 Equity: ~$100,000 in our $550,000 home.
• 👫 Partner: T. is a consultant, but his income has been minimal lately due to health issues. He has a sizeable inheritance coming, which helps our long-term outlook.

💸 Monthly expenses

• 🏠 Mortgage: $3,500 (Includes taxes and insurance)
• 🚗 Car Lease: $750 (I know, it is high, but it includes maintenance)
• ⚡ Utilities: $319 (Electric, gas, and water)
• 📱 Tech: $249 (Cell phones and wifi)
• 💳 Debt: $273 (0% interest credit card)
• 🏋️ Gym: $79
• 🤖 Business Software: $289 (CRM for the franchise)
• 📺 Streaming: $0 (Covered by rewards/points)

🧐 The bigger picture

This week was a mix of "scrappy entrepreneur" and "former corporate executive." I spent a few days in Brooklyn visiting family and friends, which meant a lot of transit costs and some social spending. I am trying to be mindful because my income is a fraction of what it used to be, but I still have the fixed costs of my old life.

The $165 for Home Appetit is a non-negotiable for me. I hate cooking, and if I do not have pre-made meals, I will just spend way more on takeout. The biggest hit this week was my hair. I spent $284 on a root touch-up and blowout. It felt like a lot given my current "salary," but I had a photoshoot for the business and needed to look the part.

🏁 Final thoughts

Total spending for the week was $936.04. It is weird to be "unemployed" while spending nearly $1,000 in a week, but I am viewing my brokerage account as a bridge to get me to the point where the franchise is profitable. I am definitely feeling the pressure of the career pivot, but having the savings cushion makes the transition possible without a total lifestyle collapse.