It's sad to hear stories like this (unemployment in our area is around 10% now) and layoffs aren't the employees' fault ... BUT it also underscores the importa

It's sad to hear stories like this (unemployment in our area is around 10% now) and layoffs aren't the employees' fault ... BUT it also underscores the importance of (a) living at or below your means when you do have a job and (b) saving money for emergencies like this. Probably at the very least 2 or 3 months living expenses, which gives you time to job hunt, relocate, etc.