Where I am currently, I would (at this point) make more in fast food than to continue on as a paralegal. However, I did have a good amount of experience in custodial and transit positions. I have already "fallen up" into a custodian position through a temp agency and have plans to get into a local utility company through my contacts there. Hard part for me atm is preserving as much of my hard fought gains as I can until I am in a more stable position. I am taking your advice and investing in precious metals though and you are dead on with the advice.