Salary expectations: how do you answer? - 14 months and counting

I have been out of work for 8 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. There are 5 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I also do not want to sell myself short. What did you say?

Check several sources for pay in Pittsburgh, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.

Asking about the range for the role first worked for me. Some recruiters share it.