Only through frugality and perseverance am I better off financially than I was 4 years ago, but it's a very fragile state of affairs due to working temporary or contract jobs, because employers don't want to pay out benefits for direct hires.

I've been able to more than double my hourly pay rate over the last 8+ years, but that's NOT the norm for most people in the country!

If I want to move just 5 miles, into the state where I choose to work, then I would be upside-down financially because the cost of affordable housing at least doubles from what I'm currently paying. It's all about location, location, location!

Unfortunately working remotely might cause a sharp reduction in potential unemployment benefits if my residential state Governor gets his way and stops the non-resident employment tax deductions which is currently happening.

Fortunately in my case, that would result in a one-time tax refund, but it would also change which state would administer my unemployment benefits in the future.

Going from the #1 state in maximum unemployment benefits to tied for 26th place would cut my potential unemployment benefits by about 66%. And it complicates where to file for the initial claim because of the number of weeks/months worked as an employee in the 1st state vs. the 2nd state, depending upon the effect date of the potential change in tax deductions. Until next June, I still have benefits remaining on my unemployment claim in the state where I choose to work.

So although I'm currently better off financially, that could change very quickly and without any notice, as has happened many times over the last 8+ years.