COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - 8 weeks in

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a line cook. I have been trying to stay organised about it. My old employer will not help with the premium. Did anyone switch mid-year?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.