Reply #6: We are doing everything we can to PREPARE...

[CoffeeCat]

...at this point--no one is immune.

We're in a precarious situation, because my husband's job is nuts. He works for a high-tech
start-up. He's survived four rounds of lay-offs, and the company being purchased. It's like
a giant roller-coaster ride. The company is 100 percent backed by venture capital. My husband has
worked there for 7 years, but we both understand that it could end today.

I'm a stay-at-home mom--and I'm going to be seeking some kind of employment, in case his job tanks.

We have cut back on EVERYTHING. We pared down our budget. I canceled magazines, newspapers, health-club
membership, one cell phone. We're down to mortgage and utilities. I make my kids lunches. We go for walks
and to the park, instead of to the mall or to the movies.

We have a stockpile of food, paper goods and other essentials, that could last us 3-4 months. The money we
save each month (and we're pinching major pennies) is going into a cash fund at home.

I live in the suburbs, and most of the friends in my area are hunkering down as well. Most of these
people are either one- or two-income families who make six figures. They're scaling back and paying
off debt, and cutting down on everything.