In the first three months after a tragedy, postpone any irreversible major decisions
During this period, your ability to judge what truly counts as an “opportunity” is at its weakest. People will approach you with offers — some claiming to let you contact the deceased, others promising to multiply your money, some urging you to quit your job and start anew elsewhere, and still others seeking a business partnership. Set a strict rule for yourself: any decision involving an amount greater than one month’s income, or any choice that would be costly to reverse, must be postponed for three months. First, discuss it with someone who has no personal stake in the matter; you simply need someone to listen so you won’t have to decide on the spot.
There is no monetary cost — you simply delay decisions, wh…
This rule helps you avoid making irreversible financial moves when you’re still reeling from a loss and your j…
There is no monetary cost — you simply delay decisions, which may cause you to miss certain opportunities. It can be hard to accept at the time, since opportunities often seem to vanish quickly.
This rule helps you avoid making irreversible financial moves when you’re still reeling from a loss and your judgment is impaired. Such moves include selling your home, quitting your job, investing a lump sum of bereavement or compensation payouts, rushing into a new marriage, or acting as a guarantor for someone else. These decisions often involve sums ranging from tens of thousands of yuan up to the value of a house, which is why the benefit level is rated as moderate. Official documents also list “family tragedy, job loss, or dropping out of school” as risk factors for psychological distress that communities should monitor — meaning this period is already recognized as one where outside support is needed.
作者经验，无直接文献；「家庭变故、失业、失学」作为心理危机风险的表述见国家卫生健康委等 25 部门 (2026). 健全社会心理服务体系和危机干预机制实施方案（国卫医政发〔2026〕8 号）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202604/content_7065035.htm
Open source linkIf you have no such neutral third party nearby, call 12356 and explain your situation (see item 11 in this section on using this line to talk to someone). You can also write down your thoughts and reread them after three days. The “three‑month” timeframe is an author‑set guideline with no scholarly backing, which is why the evidence grade is C. Common scams targeting bereaved individuals and seniors are covered in sections 17 (investment and housing schemes) and 6 (fortune‑telling). Pitfalls related to guarantees and promissory notes are discussed in section 8. A few financial actions must be handled promptly and cannot be postponed: withdrawing your housing provident fund balance, claiming social insurance benefits, and receiving compensation for a work‑related death — details are provided in sections 25 and 19.