Surviving a job loss - the collateral damage

Another 627,000 souls hit the unemployment line. There are nearly 5 million of us out here by now, or a bit more than the entire population of Colorado.

And it is getting weird. A Fed economist in San Francisco predicts we're on the way to losing more jobs than anytime in the last half century. But surprisingly many people seem to believe losing a job will never happen to them.

More kids go to school sick because Mom or Dad doesn't want to risk a pink slip. And psychologists, who are still employed, but Lord knows why, come up with fancy names for the shock, fear and pain they think we feel.

We've talked before about some of the immediate things to do if you lose a job. I'd say, bet it will happen and map out what you'll do next. Then, even if you keep your job, you're still better off than before.