How to Help Your Husband After He Loses a Job

Work with your husband as he looks for a new job.

The husband and father is the primary breadwinner in some households. And if he loses his job, this can significantly impact the family finances. It can take several weeks or months to secure new employment after being fired or laid off. If put in this situation, you can assist your husband during this difficult time. Making ends meet and avoiding serious problems such as foreclosure calls for teamwork. Couples must work together to ensure that they stay financially afloat after a job loss.

Instructions

1. Provide your husband with emotional support. He may feel defeated or like a failure after losing his job. Repeatedly reassure your husband that he will secure new employment and that he didn't let the family down. Allow him to vent his frustrations and listen as he speaks.

2. Spend the family's money wisely. If living off a severance package or unemployment compensation, adopt frugal habits to stretch the dollars. Buy generic items at the grocery store or use coupons to save money. Avoid shopping sprees and other needless spending and prepare meals at home.

3. Help with the job search. Establish a game plan for helping your husband secure another job. For example, your husband can regularly check the classified ads in the local paper and drop his resume off at local businesses, and you can focus your attention on online job searches.

4. Be flexible. Your present city or area may present few job opportunities. Be open to the idea of relocating.

5. Discover ways to bring in additional cash. If you're not working, consider a part-time or full-time job to help offset the drop in income. Create your own business to generate cash. For example, you could perhaps start a home day care or begin a housekeeping or office cleaning business.

References

• Canada Living; What to Do When Your Husband Loses His Job; Lisa Harvey
• Focus on the Family: Coping When Your Spouse is Unemployed; Roberta Rand Caponey