What to do when you want to quit your job but need the money

Waking up to feel the dread of going through the motions. You know what I’m talking about, the fake smiles, dealing with a difficult boss, irritating emails, watching the clock and feeling like your life is passing you by. You’re not alone! As a Career Coach, many of my clients come to me and say, “I want to quit my job but I need money.” If you’re feeling like this, it’s a signal that it’s time for a major change. In this article, I’m going to walk you through steps you can take if you want to quit your job, but need money.

I first want to start off by saying I need you to believe that this is a possibility for you! You may FEEL stuck, but you are NOT STUCK. With a clear plan and clarity, you can make a much-needed change in 90 days or less. If you want a jump start to organizing your goals, you can download the Career Growth Goal Journal.

If you need help with organizing your thoughts in a more personal format, I’m here for you! We can knock out a plan in a Power-Hour! or meet for more sessions for additional support. The power hour is a great option if you’re interested in getting a confidence boost, feeling more empowered, and developing a plan that you can begin taking action on the next day. Whatever program you choose, I’ve got your back!

FAQS

How to quit your job when you can’t afford to

Have you heard of golden handcuffs? That’s exactly what most jobs are. We feel tied to them because of the money and benefits. While the money and benefits are great, it can also create unnecessary stress and the false belief that you can’t “make it on your own.”

Well, I’m here to tell you… you are more than capable of making the money you need in order to let your current job go. With the internet and so many freelance and contract options, out there, dreams have become tangible possibilities (and opportunities).

What to do if I hate my job but need the money

This is a question I often hear from professionals at all levels. The good news is, I wrote an article to address this! Check out my article, I hate my job but it pays well.

12 Things to do if you want to quit your job but need the money

1. Get Clear on Why You Want to Quit

You know you want to quit, but do you know why you want to quit? Here’s the thing… if you quit prematurely without having a full understanding of your motivation behind it, you’ll end up repeating the same mistake (by getting in the same type of position). So before you submit that resignation letter, take the time to fully understand your motivations.

You need to ask yourself some important questions. Are you feeling burnt out? Is your workplace toxic? Are you bored? Do you want a new career path with more growth opportunities? Do you want more flexibility? Identifying your reasons for leaving ensures you make a decision that aligns with your long-term goals rather than acting on impulse. Clarity also helps you determine what you’re looking for in your next role.

I need to also mention, there’s no right or wrong answer here… the answer is yours! And you don’t have to justify it to anyone. It’s for your information only.

Start by writing down your key reasons for quitting and what you hope to gain in your next role. If you’re leaving due to workplace toxicity, define what a healthy work environment looks like for you. This will serve as a roadmap for your next steps and help you avoid repeating the same mistakes in your future job search.

2. What Do You Value?

When you’re at a place where you can’t quit your job because you need the money, it’s usually because of a mismatch in values. You need to know what you value! Having a strong sense of self, knowing your needs, what motivates you, and how your values tie into your overall satisfaction plays a crucial role in your level of career happiness (and fulfillment).

If your job doesn’t align with your values, you’ll likely feel like something is missing no matter how much money you make. Do you value flexibility, creativity, or financial stability? Knowing your priorities will help you make better career choices moving forward.

I recommend making a list of your top five values and compare them to your current job. If work-life balance is a top priority and your job demands constant overtime, it’s clear why you’re unhappy. Use this list to guide your job search and ensure your next role supports what truly matters to you. Again, the Career Growth Journal can easily guide you through putting your thoughts down on paper.

If you’re at a crossroads and ready to rediscover who you are and live out your purpose, consider checkout out the course, Rediscovering Your Purpose.

3. Identify Red Flags You Missed

Hindsight is 20/20 isn’t it? If you’ve ever met with me or if you follow me on LinkedIn, you know I’m BIG on SELF-REFLECTION, especially when it comes to our careers. Looking back, you may realize there were warning signs you ignored at your current company when accepting your current job.

High turnover, lack of career growth, toxic work situation, or an unclear job description are common red flags that people overlook in desperation to land a role. You don’t want to find yourself in the same scenario again!

Reflect on what went wrong in your current position and why you want to quit your job. From there, make a checklist of warning signs to watch for in the future. If your last job had a high turnover rate, research company reviews and employee experiences before applying elsewhere. Learning from past mistakes will help you avoid stepping into another bad situation.

Pro-tip: Reflecting doesn’t mean, “beat yourself up.” We all make mistakes. The intention of reflecting is to identify areas of weakness, learn, and grow from it.

4. Assess Your Skillset

When is the last time you took an honest and transparent assessment of your skills? Here’s a couple good questions to ask yourself. When is the last time you attended a conference? Or a webinar? When is that last time you challenged yourself? Have you learned a new program lately?

In this competitive landscape, you need to constantly be reinventing yourself and learning new skills. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will also help you determine which roles you qualify for and where you need improvement. Sometimes a career change or industry change feels scary, but you might already have transferable skills that can open new doors.

List your hard and soft skills and compare them to job descriptions in your desired field. If you want to move into project management but lack certification, consider enrolling in a relevant course. Investing in your skillset now will increase your chances of landing a higher-paying role.

The beauty of the internet is ACCESS! Below are some of my favorite learning platforms.

LinkedIn Learning

If you’re interested in becoming a manager, of course, I’m going to shout out my top-rated course!

Skills for the modern manager from Skills for Your First 90 Days as a New Manager by Chelsea Jay

COURSERA

Ready to upskill and stay competitive in today’s job market? Coursera offers industry-recognized courses from top universities and companies. Learn at your own pace and enhance your career. Find your next course here!

EdX

This is another great platform for developing your skillset for a career change, promotion, or boost in your current role!

5. Have You Built a Personal Brand?

In today’s digital world, personal branding is a must (it’s no longer optional). Having a strong online presence makes you more attractive to potential employers, clients, and opens you up to an abundance of networking opportunities. It also positions you as an expert in your field and increases visibility.

Start by getting comfortable with LinkedIn. Optimize your LinkedIn profile, share insights in your industry, and engage with professionals in your network. If you work in marketing, start posting content about industry trends and campaign successes. A strong personal brand can help you land a job without even applying.

If you thrive with step by step directions, check out my ebook.

My Branding Blueprint Guide is your step-by-step roadmap to mastering LinkedIn, standing out in your industry, and landing your next role—without constantly applying to jobs. Inside, you’ll find expert strategies to optimize your profile, build a compelling personal brand, and attract the right opportunities.

Whether you’re job searching, looking to grow your network, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, this guide gives you everything you need to succeed. Now is the right time to create your online presence! Get your copy today and start unlocking new career possibilities!

6. Understand Your Money

How comfortable are you with your money? Or maybe I should ask, how knowledgeable are you when it comes to YOUR MONEY? For example, can you answer how many subscriptions you have? (without looking it up). When is the last time you analyzed your bank account? How much money do you really need to pay your essential bills? Do you currently have enough money to get through 3 to 6 months without your job as your main source of income?

I know this one makes a lot of professionals cringe, but financial awareness is a key part of making a successful career transition. Without a clear understanding of your expenses and savings, you could find yourself in financial distress after quitting.

Try tracking your expenses for the last three months and identify where your money is going. If you spend $300 on dining out, consider cutting back and redirecting that money into an emergency fund. This will give you more financial stability during your transition.

Pro-tip: If you have the time and capacity try exploring ways to boost your financial security through finding ways to make passive income and look for ways to diversify your income streams so in case unexpected expenses arise, you have a backup plan and a way to get through that transition period. 

7. How Much Do You Really Need to Survive?

Let’s shift right into this, how much do you really need?! From personal experience and after speaking with a lot of professionals, we often over estimate the amount of money we really need to survive. Knowing your financial baseline helps you determine when you can afford to quit. It also allows you to plan ahead and avoid financial insecurity.

Calculate your essential monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, food, and insurance. If your survival budget is $2,500 per month, aim to save at least three months’ worth before quitting. Having a financial cushion gives you peace of mind while exploring new opportunities.

8. Get Creative: What Can You Sell or What Service Can You Provide?

This is one of my favorite ways to make extra money! The majority of people have stuff laying around their house in great condition that they don’t use. For example, in 2024, I sold $4,300 worth of items within a month in my house… literally, things I hadn’t touched in years.

If you need additional income before quitting, you have got to get creative! If you don’t want to sell physical items, think about selling your skills!

Make a list of marketable skills. For example, if you have graphic design or writing and editing skills, think about starting a side hustle! These small steps can make a big difference in securing financial stability. (Bonus: who knows… your own business can end up turning into your next full-time job). 

9. Change Your Mindset

What stops us from making the moves we dream of? Our own darn minds. Your mindset plays a crucial role in how you navigate this transition. Fear and self-doubt can hold you back, but shifting to a growth mindset will help you see opportunities instead of obstacles.

The best thing you can do is start a daily affirmation or journaling practice to reinforce positive thinking. Instead of saying, “I’m stuck,” reframe it as, “I’m learning how to navigate my career change.” Focusing on possibilities rather than limitations will keep you motivated.

10. Start Networking

Never stop networking… and if you’ve slacked… pick it back up. In today’s competitive job market, the phrase “it’s all about who you know” rings truer than ever. Today, many job opportunities come from networking rather than traditional applications. In my experience (and those of my clients) submitting an application online, rarely receives a response. Instead, reach out to your people! Your network can open doors to referrals, mentorship, and unexpected job offers.

Reach out to professionals in your industry and schedule informational interviews. A casual coffee chat with a former colleague might lead to a new job opportunity. Consistently connecting with others will increase your chances of finding the right fit.

If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn, right now is the time to do it. Download the Branding Blueprint to get recruiters lining up in your inbox!

11. Build a Plan and Commit to It!

With how fast life moves, it’s easy to get distracted and lose focus on the main goal. Start writing down your desires and wildest dreams! Why? Because a structured plan helps reduce uncertainty and keeps you focused. Without one, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stay stuck.

Make it real, by seting a timeline for your transition and break it down into smaller weekly goals. If you plan to quit in six months, use month one to update your resume and month two to apply for five jobs weekly. Staying committed to your plan will make the process smoother and more manageable.

Pro-tip: If you are someone who needs accountability, grab a partner to keep you on track, this is the best way to stay on top of your goals. This could be a family member, friend, mentor, or colleague. Whoever it is, it’s a good idea to choose someone you trust and who is disciplined. 

12.  Get Support

You don’t have to go through this alone. Navigating a career transition alone can be extremely stressful. Having a solid support system can provide you with guidance, encouragement, and accountability on the hard days.

You can consider joining career-related groups, seek mentorship, or hire a career coach. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, a career coach can help you clarify your direction and refine your job search strategy. Surrounding yourself with support will make the transition less overwhelming.

Conclusion

I want you to get unstuck and get out of the box of “I want to quit my job, but I need the money.” As you know, it’s not a fun position to be in. Earlier this year, I met with a friend who retired 5 years ago. She shared something with me that really struck a chord when I was battling my own tough decision. She said, “life is too short, and now that I’m older, I spend most of my days regretting decisions I didn’t make and actions I didn’t take when I could.”

I strongly believe in taking chances and living your life fully and unapologetically… but it’s more assuring when you hear it from someone with experience. Wherever you are on your journey, I want you to know that YOU CAN do it. It’s time that you start prioritizing your mental health and personal desires. I don’t want you to live with regret or wondering how things could’ve been different.

Life is too fragile to be stuck at a job that drains you, doesn’t fulfill you, and leaves you wondering “what if.” Please don’t wait until you get to a breaking point before you decide to make a change. I also want to remind you that you can always pivot or make a change if something doesn’t work out.

Also remember that you may have a unique situation and you don’t have to follow a pre-made map that someone else created. You are your own boss when it comes to your life. You do deserve to be happy, fulfilled, and satisfied. You, my friend, are worthy and know what the right direction is for you. 

Save this article for the days you need the reminder and share it with a friend who needs to hear this too. Stay in touch and I can’t wait to hear about all of your big wins and big actions in the near future. 

Cheers to your success!