What Is Laid Off Playbook?
Laid Off Playbook is a digital layoff recovery toolkit designed to help US workers navigate the first 90 days after losing their jobs.
Its central idea is simple: instead of searching dozens of websites for information about severance, unemployment insurance, healthcare and job hunting, users can work through a structured programme that brings these topics together.
The toolkit currently advertises:
- A 90-day layoff recovery plan.
- A severance calculator and negotiation resources.
- State-specific unemployment and employment-law information.
- A COBRA versus ACA health insurance comparison.
- A 90-day budgeting calculator.
- More than 20 email templates.
- Job search and interview preparation tools.
- Resources for finding an employment attorney.
Unlike a conventional make-money-online course, Laid Off Playbook is primarily about protecting your financial position and preparing for your next source of income.
That distinction is important when deciding whether the product meets your needs.
How Does Laid Off Playbook Work?
The system follows a structured 90-day journey divided into three main phases.
Phase 1: Stabilise — Days 1–3
The first phase focuses on the immediate practical issues that follow a layoff.
These include organising relevant employment documents, understanding benefits, investigating unemployment assistance and establishing your current financial position.
The aim is to replace a long list of unanswered questions with a manageable sequence of tasks.
Phase 2: Negotiate — Days 4–10
The second phase focuses on reviewing your severance offer.
The toolkit provides calculators, negotiation benchmarks, email templates and practice scenarios for conversations with HR.
This phase is particularly relevant to workers who have received a severance agreement but aren’t sure what its terms mean or which elements might be negotiable.
Actual rights and deadlines depend on the agreement, jurisdiction and individual circumstances, so professional legal advice may still be necessary.
Phase 3: Relaunch — Days 11–90
The final phase turns toward rebuilding your income.
It covers updating your LinkedIn profile, reconnecting with professional contacts, preparing interview examples and maintaining a structured job search.
This is also where the product becomes relevant to people considering freelancing, remote work or a work-from-home side hustle alongside their search for employment.
However, Laid Off Playbook doesn’t advertise itself as a dedicated business-building course.
Laid Off Playbook Key Features
Let’s examine what the toolkit actually includes.
1. Severance Calculator
One of the headline features is the Severance Calculator.
The software is designed to help users assess an offer using information such as:
- Employment tenure.
- Salary.
- State.
- Bonus arrangements.
- Health insurance considerations.
- Equity compensation.
It then produces reference figures intended to support a potential counteroffer.
The website says its benchmarks draw on published employment and compensation research.
Why could this be useful?
Someone receiving a severance package might have no previous experience negotiating one.
A structured calculator can help organise the financial components of an offer and identify questions worth raising.
However, the resulting figures should be treated as planning estimates, not amounts an employer is legally required to pay.
Severance arrangements depend on contracts, applicable law, employer policy and individual circumstances.
2. Severance Negotiation Templates
Laid Off Playbook advertises more than 20 ready-to-send email templates.
These cover situations such as requesting additional time, drafting counteroffers, following up with HR and contacting an attorney.
Rather than starting with a blank email, users can work from a prepared structure and personalise it.
What can you negotiate?
The product identifies 11 potential negotiation topics, including additional severance pay, health insurance reimbursement, bonuses, accrued paid time off, equity arrangements, outplacement services and reference letters.
Not every item will be negotiable or applicable to every employee.
The practical benefit is having a checklist of topics to investigate before making a decision.
3. HR Call Roleplay
Negotiating with HR can be uncomfortable, particularly if you’ve never done it before.
Laid Off Playbook includes an interactive HR Call Roleplay feature covering eight difficult conversation scenarios.
Users can practise responding to situations such as being asked to sign quickly or being told that an offer cannot be changed.
The tool provides branching responses and feedback.
This could help someone organise their thoughts before a real conversation.
It shouldn’t, however, be mistaken for personalised legal representation or professional negotiation services.
4. COBRA vs ACA Health Insurance Comparison
For US workers, losing employer-sponsored health insurance can create an urgent financial decision.
Laid Off Playbook includes a comparison tool covering:
COBRA: Continuing qualifying employer-sponsored coverage, generally at a substantially higher personal premium than when the employer contributed.
ACA Marketplace: Exploring individual or family health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
The software compares estimated costs using information about household circumstances and income.
Why does this matter?
Healthcare costs can have a significant impact on how long someone’s savings will last.
The comparison could help users identify options worth investigating.
Nevertheless, actual premiums, subsidies, eligibility, provider networks and enrolment deadlines need to be confirmed through official insurance resources.
The calculator should support that research rather than replace it.
5. The 90-Day Runway Calculator
This is one of the features most relevant to a side-hustle audience.
The 90-Day Runway Calculator helps users understand how long their available money might last.
You enter information about your finances and expenses, and the tool models three different spending scenarios.
These include maintaining current spending, reducing discretionary expenses and making more substantial cuts.
Understanding your financial runway
Imagine you have enough accessible savings to cover four months of essential expenses.
Your immediate financial decisions may look very different from those of somebody who has only a few weeks of savings.
A budgeting tool helps make that distinction visible.
It can also help answer a question that matters to aspiring entrepreneurs:
Can I afford to spend time building a side hustle, or do I need more immediate income?
The calculator doesn’t make that decision for you, but it could provide useful information.
6. State-Specific Employment Resources
Laid Off Playbook is designed specifically around the United States.
It advertises information covering all 50 states, including links to official sources on unemployment insurance, final pay, paid time off, non-compete restrictions and layoff-related rules.
This is potentially useful because employment requirements vary considerably between states.
However, laws and administrative guidance change.
Users should verify important details directly with the relevant government agency or a qualified employment attorney before acting.
For UK readers: This toolkit is not designed around UK redundancy law, statutory redundancy pay, Universal Credit, NHS coverage or UK employment procedures.
That geographical limitation is particularly important if you’re reading this review from Britain.
7. Job Offer Comparison
Getting a new job offer is encouraging, but comparing two opportunities isn’t always straightforward.
Laid Off Playbook includes an Offer Compare tool.
It considers compensation components such as:
- Base salary.
- Bonuses.
- Paid time off.
- Health insurance arrangements.
- Equity.
- Retirement contributions.
The objective is to help users compare the financial components of different employment offers.
This could be useful when deciding between two positions with different salaries and benefits.
Of course, financial compensation is only one part of a career decision. Flexibility, working conditions, location and personal preferences matter too.
8. Interview Story Builder
The Interview Story Builder helps users prepare examples using the STAR interview framework.
STAR stands for:
Situation → Task → Action → Result
The toolkit advertises support for developing six interview stories.
These can help you organise examples of your experience and achievements before attending interviews.
For someone returning to the job market after several years, this structured preparation could be useful.
9. Employment Attorney Finder
Laid Off Playbook includes resources for locating professional assistance.
The website advertises six national services and organisations, including employment-law and legal-assistance resources.
It also provides an attorney intake script.
This feature recognises an important limitation of the product: some employment situations require qualified professional advice.
Potential discrimination claims, complicated equity arrangements, restrictive covenants and substantial severance agreements may need individual legal review.
A self-service toolkit cannot reliably resolve every such issue.
Does Laid Off Playbook Include AI?
The website advertises two additional AI-related products:
Power Hour
A proposed AI companion intended to help users navigate the playbook and discuss their next steps.
War Room
A proposed extended companion designed around the full 90-day recovery process, including reminders and ongoing guidance.
Both are currently presented as coming soon.
The standard self-service toolkit is the product being sold now.
I would therefore evaluate the $69 purchase based on its existing calculators, templates, guides and other available features rather than relying on future AI functionality.
Can Laid Off Playbook Help You Make Money Online?
Not directly.
Laid Off Playbook doesn’t claim to be an affiliate marketing platform, dropshipping system, freelance marketplace or digital-product creator.
Its purpose is to help users manage a layoff and prepare for their next career move.
However, there are several ways it could fit into a broader online-income strategy.
Side Hustle Idea 1: Use Your Existing Professional Skills
If you’ve been laid off, you may already possess valuable skills that businesses need.
Examples include:
- Writing.
- Administration.
- Customer service.
- Graphic design.
- Bookkeeping.
- Software development.
- Marketing.
- Project management.
You could potentially offer these services independently through freelance platforms, professional contacts or your own website.
Laid Off Playbook’s budgeting and job-search tools could help you organise the wider transition.
It doesn’t provide clients or guarantee freelance work.
Side Hustle Idea 2: Explore Remote Work
If your previous job involved tasks that can be performed online, remote employment or contract work might be an option.
For example, someone with customer service experience could investigate remote customer support positions.
An experienced administrator might explore virtual assistant work.
A marketing professional could investigate freelance content creation or social media management.
The important distinction is that Laid Off Playbook helps with career planning rather than supplying a database of guaranteed remote jobs.
Side Hustle Idea 3: Build a Small Online Business
A layoff can sometimes prompt people to reconsider how they earn their income.
Possible online business models include:
Affiliate marketing: Recommending products and receiving commissions from qualifying sales.
Digital products: Creating and selling eBooks, templates or online resources.
Freelancing: Selling professional services directly to clients.
Online tutoring: Teaching subjects or skills you understand.
Content creation: Developing a blog, newsletter or video channel around a particular subject.
These models require different levels of time, investment and expertise.
Some take months to develop and may never become profitable.
That’s why understanding your financial runway before committing significant resources is important.
Could a Side Hustle Replace Your Lost Salary?
Possibly, but it shouldn’t be assumed.
Most new side hustles require time to attract customers and establish reliable income.
Affiliate websites need traffic.
Digital products need buyers.
Freelancers need clients.
Online businesses often have startup costs and unpredictable revenue.
If you’re dealing with a recent layoff, it may be sensible to distinguish between two goals:
Immediate income: Employment, temporary contracts or freelance assignments using skills you already possess.
Long-term income development: Building an online business that might eventually provide additional revenue.
Laid Off Playbook’s financial planning features could help you evaluate how much time and money you have available for each approach.
How Much Does Laid Off Playbook Cost?
The official website currently advertises the Self-Serve Kit for $69 as a one-time payment.
It states that there is:
- No subscription.
- No automatic renewal.
- No account required.
- Access to the complete self-service toolkit.
- A seven-day money-back guarantee.
The website also says users can save progress locally in their browser and export information to PDF.
This is worth noting if you’re concerned about storing sensitive employment or financial information online.
However, you should still check the product’s current privacy information and take care when using shared devices.
Does Laid Off Playbook Have a Refund Policy?
Yes.
The website currently advertises a seven-day money-back guarantee for the Self-Serve Kit.
It says customers can contact support to request a refund during that period.
Before purchasing, check the current refund terms and retain your purchase confirmation.
Is Laid Off Playbook Beginner Friendly?
Based on the advertised interface and features, the product is clearly designed for people who don’t necessarily have specialist knowledge of employment law, benefits or financial planning.
Its main selling point is structure.
Rather than requiring users to work out what questions they should ask, the system provides a guided sequence.
That could be useful for somebody facing a layoff for the first time.
However, accessibility and accuracy are different things.
An easy-to-use calculator still needs correct inputs and current information.
For consequential decisions, independent verification remains essential.
Laid Off Playbook Advantages
Structured 90-Day Plan
The programme organises a complicated transition into smaller tasks.
Multiple Tools in One Package
Severance, budgeting, benefits and job-search resources are combined in one toolkit.
Ready-Made Templates
Email templates could save time when communicating with HR or seeking professional assistance.
Financial Planning
The runway calculator can help users understand their available resources.
Job Search Preparation
Interview stories, networking guidance and offer comparisons support the return to employment.
One-Time Pricing
The current Self-Serve Kit doesn’t require a recurring subscription.
Things to Consider Before Buying
It’s Designed for US Workers
The employment-law and healthcare material isn’t directly applicable to UK or other international employment systems.
It Isn’t Professional Legal Advice
The toolkit explicitly describes itself as an educational resource.
It Doesn’t Guarantee Better Severance
Employers aren’t obliged to accept a counteroffer simply because a calculator produces a higher figure.
It Doesn’t Guarantee Employment
Job-search templates and interview preparation can support your efforts, but they cannot ensure you’ll receive an offer.
Some Features Are Still in Development
The advertised AI companions are currently listed as coming soon.
There Are Free Alternatives
Official government resources, unemployment agencies, healthcare marketplaces and public employment services may provide much of the underlying information for free.
The paid product’s proposition is primarily convenience, structure and integrated tools.
Laid Off Playbook Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Structured 90-day recovery programme | Primarily useful for US workers |
| Severance calculation and negotiation tools | Not a substitute for an employment attorney |
| More than 20 email templates advertised | Cannot guarantee better severance |
| Health insurance comparison | Insurance calculations require verification |
| Budgeting and financial runway tools | Doesn’t directly generate income |
| Job-search and interview resources | Doesn’t guarantee employment |
| State-specific resource links | Legal information can become outdated |
| One-time $69 purchase advertised | AI companions aren’t available yet |
| Seven-day refund policy advertised | Some underlying resources are freely available |
Who Is Laid Off Playbook Best For?
The product could be particularly relevant to:
- US workers who have recently been laid off.
- Employees reviewing severance agreements.
- People comparing post-employment health insurance options.
- Workers trying to establish a realistic household budget.
- Professionals preparing to return to the job market.
- People considering freelance work after redundancy.
- Individuals who prefer structured guidance rather than researching everything independently.
It is less directly relevant to someone who simply wants to learn affiliate marketing or start an online business from scratch.
Is Laid Off Playbook Legit?
Laid Off Playbook presents an identifiable digital product with specific advertised features, a published price and a refund policy.
Its website provides descriptions of the calculators, templates and guides, alongside examples of the interface.
The underlying problems it addresses are genuine: severance agreements, unemployment benefits, healthcare costs and job searches can all create difficult decisions after a layoff.
However, the existence of a product and its advertised features doesn’t independently establish the accuracy of every calculation or the quality of every resource.
I haven’t personally tested the software or verified its calculations.
I’d therefore treat it as a potentially useful organisational tool rather than an authoritative source of individual legal or financial advice.
Is Laid Off Playbook Worth It?
That depends largely on your circumstances.
For a US worker dealing with several unfamiliar decisions at once, having a structured plan, calculators and ready-made templates in one place may offer practical convenience.
The one-time price also makes the cost relatively easy to understand.
However, if you’re comfortable researching official government resources, already have access to professional advice or only need help with one specific question, you may not need the complete toolkit.
For international readers, the US-specific focus is a substantial limitation.
And for somebody interested exclusively in building an online income, a dedicated freelancing or business-training resource would address a different set of needs.
Laid Off Playbook Review: Final Verdict
Laid Off Playbook is a layoff recovery and career-transition toolkit rather than a conventional make-money-online system.
Its main features cover severance preparation, healthcare comparisons, financial planning, employment resources and job-search organisation.
The 90-day structure is designed to help users work through these decisions in a manageable order.
From a side-hustle perspective, the financial runway calculator and career-planning resources are particularly relevant.
They could help you evaluate whether you need immediate employment, can pursue freelance opportunities or have the financial flexibility to develop a longer-term online business.
But the product itself doesn’t provide a ready-made income stream.
The bottom line: Laid Off Playbook is designed to help US workers organise their response to a layoff, understand important decisions and plan their next career move. Its usefulness depends on how closely those needs match your own circumstances.
👉 To learn more please click here to visit the product website.
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