Do I Cut the Red Wire, or the Blue Wire?

I have to make a decision that may blow up in my face.

In this ticking time-bomb of an economy, we’re all concerned for our jobs, and our families’ futures. And just like so many millions of other regular people, I live paycheck-to-paycheck. And THAT means I’m just one unemployed month away from homelessness. Saving money is a great idea on paper, but in the real world, most of us don’t make enough to save AND pay the bills. And if your luck is like mine, if you do find yourself sitting on, ohhhh....say $400 with no earmarks, and you open a savings account, the car breaks down and it’s a $600 repair. It happens to me every time! I almost would rather NOT save money, because at least when I’M broke, nothing else is.

So, here’s my dilemma: With lay-offs looming large on my horizon, do I stay at my job until the bitter end and hope I survive the cut? Or do I jump ship now, and start looking for a new job at a company that’s hiring? I mean, if I wait until I’m laid off, and THEN start looking for a job, it could take weeks. And unemployment compensation in my state is the same for everyone, very little, and only about a third of my current pay. Counting on that to see my family through is simply NOT an option! But if I start looking now, and actually find a job at a company that’s hiring, I could wind up with a job that’s a wrong fit.

So, which is it?

The red wire - where I stay at my job, (which I LOVE, by the way), holding on in breathless, white-knuckled despair until things ease up?

Or the blue wire - where I find a new job now, and wind up in breathless, white-knuckled despair working for a boss who’s turned out to be Buttholius Maximus.

The red wire - stay at my job hoping the company survives, giving everything I have in the way of prayer, good vibes, positive thinking, sacrifice and elbow grease, only to see the company tank and lose my job anyway?

Or the blue wire - where I LEAVE my current job in order to avoid a possible lay-off, only to see the company make it through with flying colors and leave my ship-jumping, disloyal self in the dust?

Ah, but I forgot! In the movies, when the guy looks at his partner for a decision, red or blue, he always chooses the THIRD option…the green wire!

My green wire - my third option - is to move to Scottsdale.

At least that way, when I end up homeless and living under a bridge, it will be a nicely landscaped, fashionable one, with a great view!