Getting fired is never fun, especially in these uncertain economic times. But if you have been saving up for a rainy day, and you have a cottony cushion sitting in the bank, there might be a silver lining to recession-related job cuts.

Let’s be honest with ourselves… how many times have you sat at your desk fantasizing wistfully that you would be “let go” so you could have the time to do the things, like traveling, that seem to keep getting pushed aside for the sake of slaving away at a 9 to 5?

You haven’t?

It’s just me?

I hope my boss isn’t reading this.

Ahem. In any case, if you’ve got some cash stashed away, you can use this unexpected break in work to your advantage… instead of rushing headlong back into the shaky job market, you might consider picking a low-cost travel destination. Stretch your time and money out. Clear your head and reassess. Go backpacking in India or take a long trek through South America. Retreat to an ashram on the subcontinent or go spend a few months being a beach bum in Thailand. Have you always wanted to volunteer abroad? Now might be the time to do it.

You will return rich with experience and gifted with a new perspective on the life– and work– you left behind.

Next topic: Sitting out the recession in India.