Salary expectations: how do you answer? after 12 years as a teaching assistant

I have been out of work for 10 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. I worked as a teaching assistant before this. I also do not want to sell myself short. What did you say?

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

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