Putting food on the table

I'm a few weeks into the job search. This week it goes into full swing when I send a half-dozen packets out to newspapers.

I spend an hour or so every night, perusing the various jobs and company websites. I research interesting newspapers. But I haven't looked at the classifieds.

I did today.

I've thought a lot about the newspapers and whether they'd be a good fit. But until now, I haven't thought about whether I could survive in the communities they cover. I told a reporter Friday night about the newspapers I was interested in, and he asked if I wanted to eat. And today, a managing editor told me to look at the housing classifieds before I seriously consider a job there.

I have that problem now -- working in a city that I can't afford on my stipend. I plan acccordingly and have a budget. I come out even with Mom's help and plenty of dinners on Ben. It's a temporary sacrifice.

Reporters don't make much. I know that. But I don't want to be an outsider to the community I'm covering, because I can't afford to live there.

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I return to the classroom next month. I've decided to take Spanish two evenings a week.