COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - 9 months and counting

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as an administrative assistant. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My old employer will not help with the premium.

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.