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Losing a job and taking a lower-paying role can feel like a setback. But a sudden pay cut doesn’t have to derail your long-term financial goals. You can realign your finances and stay on track with careful planning.

Checking your expenses and keeping tabs on your lower cash intake should be your first course of action following a pay cut. Keep an eye on all revenue streams in addition to necessary expenditures like rent, bills, insurance premiums and loan interest payments. Prioritise necessary spending and cut back on certain luxuries. Maintaining a smaller budget helps you stay in control and enables you to pay for necessities without depleting funds.

If you have an emergency fund, use it only when absolutely necessary. If not, start building one by setting aside a small portion of your monthly income. To cover unforeseen expenses like repairs or medical bills, have three to six months’ worth of expenses in liquid savings.

A lower income makes it more important to manage existing debt well. If you are unable to make payments, contact your lenders to see if you can receive a short-term moratorium, an extension of your loan term or a rescheduling of your EMIs. Don't take new loans until absolutely necessary. Paying back existing debts on time preserves your credit history.

Rearranging long-term financial objectives, such as retirement savings or child education funds, may be necessary as a result of a pay loss. Cash for necessary expenses can be freed up by temporarily reducing contributions to investments like mutual funds or pension plans. To stay in line, evaluate these adjustments frequently and make up contributions when income rises.