Any of you out there in Stashland have advice on things to prepare for while becoming voluntarily de-employed? Again, my goal is for this to be temporary, but after struggling for a year waiting for the work situation to improve or stop worsening, I've decided it's not worth the mental and physical toll to keep working at this while searching for something else. What should I prepare for?
I'm digging what you're putting down, sylph! GOOD JOB! I'll offer some thoughts, they may be obvious to you in your scenario:
Plan it after the holidays (if you are in the US) if possible, so you get your allotted holidays.
Make sure you know exactly how much vacation time you have left and make sure you get it. If you have any doubts, take the days off ahead of time to get your value.
If you are in FSA and you have money due back to you, get all that money as quickly as you can. They will cut you off and take your FSA money if you have any remaining after termination.
Some benefits run to the end of the month of your termination - find out which ones, if any. That will give you a little more time to take advantage of that benefit.
It may be obvious by now, but make sure you've slowly, inconspicuously, taken all your personal things home. Very sharp people may detect this and comment, but you can easily put them off. Also, make sure you bring back anything you have that belongs to the company.
Any inherent benefits that you enjoy, take advantage of them. Cafeteria extra-good and makes something you really like? Maybe get the recipe from the chef. Cheap drinks in the drink machine? I'd take one home each day. Can you get a super discount on a product the company makes? Try to buy one then.
If you have a retirement plan you are contributing to (401k and the like), decide how you want to handle that going forward: Dial it up to get maximum matching and savings, or dial it down to get maximum cash flow.
I think you already mentioned you are taking care of some things like car stuff and the like? Just be aware of what bills you have coming due, when.
You might be able to get a decent side-gig this time of year with UPS (nighttime shift handling packages) or with any of the major retailers. You might even start that process now to get a jump on it.
BTW: I don't know if you work in IT/high tech, but the holidays are HAPPY HUNTING DAYS in those fields, because usually if the company needs headcount, they try hard to fill those headcounts before the holidays go into full swing or by year-end so they don't lose the funding for the position. So I encourage you strongly to look very hard during the holidays.
I've always had great luck looking for a job toward the end of the calendar year!