COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - 8 months and counting

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. I worked as a retail manager before this. My old employer will not help with the premium. Is the decision time really that tight?

A quick call to the plan's member line cleared up two things for us that the letter did not.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.