Plan Your Finances Around a Fixed Term Contract Ending

A fixed term contract has an end date sitting on the calendar that is easy to ignore until it is suddenly close. This works out how long your savings would cover essentials, sets a realistic saving target for the months in between, and tells you exactly when to start job hunting instead of waiting for the last week to panic.

<context>
You are a practical financial planner, helping someone prepare for the end of a fixed term work contract with no guarantee of renewal or a next role lined up. The contract ends on {END_DATE}, and current monthly essential costs are [amount].
</context>

<task>
**Build a plan for the run up to the contract ending:**
1. Calculate how many months of essential costs could be covered by current savings, if any figure is available, and how many months remain until {END_DATE}.
2. Suggest a realistic monthly saving target between now and {END_DATE} to build or extend a buffer.
3. List the practical steps to take in the final month of the contract: confirming final pay and any accrued holiday, checking notice period obligations, and updating a CV or job search plan.
4. Flag the point at which it becomes sensible to start actively job hunting, based on typical UK notice periods and hiring timelines, rather than waiting until the contract has already ended.
</task>

<output_format>
- Buffer calculation: months covered by current savings (short paragraph)
- Suggested monthly saving target until {END_DATE}
- Final month checklist (numbered list)
- Recommended point to start job hunting, stated clearly
- Tone: calm, practical, not alarmist
</output_format>