On the Margin: Making It

If you’re living on the margin, or may be soon, the amount of income you have may be a fixed number you just have to deal with.  It also might be an income much lower than you’re used to if you’re one of the newly unemployed.  In this, the fourth installment of the “On the Margin” series, I’ll tell you what I’ve learned when it comes to living without a lot of money.  If you have ideas of your own, please share them in the comments.

On the Margin: Work

If you’ve lost your job recently, you may already have a sense of panic or dread about finding work. In this third part outlining what I’ve learned about marginal employment, I hope that you find something interesting and leave some good information for everyone else.

On the Margin: Habits

If you’ve recently lost your job, you’re looking at a whole new world that you will have to deal with.  I’ve learned a lot by being marginally employed, and in this second installation I’d like to share what I’ve learned about this world.  I don’t know everything, and I’ve certainly made mistakes.  If you have some other ideas, please comment at the end and share what works for you.

On the Margin

In January 2008, 78.3 million Americans had jobs.  By November, that was down to 76.7 million people and shrinking fast.  The 3.9 million who were unemployed in 2007 have seen their ranks grow by 41%, meaning that a lot of people are unemployed now that haven’t been in the recent past.  Those who have been there before probably know a thing or two about how to survive the situation, but the newcomers likely don’t.

This series is written for those of you who have recently left the middle class with what feels like a bootprint on your ass.