This last week, I began a new job in a Technical Services department (the part of the library/library system that handles new or problem materials). In some ways, this is the end of my “freelance life.” (But not really, because I plan to continue blogging and consulting, since both are fun.) It’s a 40-hour a week job, but I’m happy about it because it’s a job doing something I want to do and plenty of it.

I’m essentially sure that I found the right job.

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It’s official, we are in a recession and more and more people face the fear of losing their jobs. It is one thing to deal with the shaky economy while employed, quite another ballgame if you find yourself joining the ranks of newly unemployed. Although no one is guaranteed employment in today’s economic climate, there are ways you can improve you chances of staying on the payroll. If you want to stay out of debt or stop the downward spiral into further debt, securing a steady paycheck is the first step toward financial security.

If you are losing sleep over the prospect of losing your job do yourself a favor, stop worrying and start acting. The economy may be slowing, but you cannot allow yourself that luxury if you want to keep your current job or if you are searching for a new one:

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Most of us know that the best way to get ahead financially is by spending less than we earn. That translates into spending less or earning more, or both. But even those are too general, which is why most PF blogs exist. We spend our time coming up with ways to save money (or to motivate ourselves to keep saving money), spend more efficiently, and earn more.

Jason at Live to Budget just asked a group of personal finance writers if he could put together some of their top articles for a free eBook. …

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One of the things I dislike most about ING Direct’s recent integration with ShareBuilder is that every time I login to check something in my bank accounts, I can also see my poor little Roth IRA. It’s being pummeled about by the ups and downs of the market and some days it’s quite depressing.

But there’s something I’ve learned from all of it too…

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Another aspect of freelancing with which I had a love-hate relationship was the schedule. The freedom I had was amazing. I didn’t have to miss gorgeous afternoons, I could just take a break and go for a walk. I could sit down and read a novel and then get back to work. That’s the love part…

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