A person who has been working freelance for 20 years reflects on the surprise and stress experienced by a school acquaintance who was made redundant from her HR job, despite receiving a year's salary as severance pay. The acquaintance's financial situation, with a large mortgage and recent loft conversion, exacerbates her stress. The author expresses surprise that people do not have backup plans in place for such eventualities, highlighting their own approach to financial security, which includes freelancing, investing in bitcoin, hustling, and living in a low-cost location with minimal expenses, allowing for a cushion against job loss and financial uncertainty.