Let's admit it...since the Great Recession of 2007, we have all become much better at calculating almost every aspect of our lives. For example, we know much more about what it cost for groceries at the local Mega Mart in comparison to that convenience store on the corner. Not only that, we are more apt to figure out how much gas we will use to go to the Mega Mart and calculate whether we will spend more money in gas than we will save by going there.

The recession has made mini math experts out of most of us, at least as far as our private economy is concerned. And for those of us who have been laid off our jobs, we are beginning to realize that there is a significant investment in funds associated with looking for and starting a new job.

Let's say that you are one of the lucky ones who have been able to find a new job - possibly having to change your career path. Congratulations if you have, but have you started adding up the cost associated with that new job. S. L. Carroll a Yahoo Contributor has provided us with brief overview of just how much it cost her to start a new job - her figure, $719.46. Oh, by the way, she shares that her first paycheck totaled $380.

Not very promising, is it? How was that cost calculated? Well, new clothes are not necessarily a must unless you have accepted a job that requires a different look than the one you left. In her situation, she found herself in a professional environment and felt that a new wardrobe or at least a few professional pieces were necessary to get her started. Total cost - $275.46. Now all of us might not have to invest that much, but many of use are finding ourselves in new careers and, of course, we want to make a good impression.

So now she has a few new pieces to get her started. But once that has been done, she had to ensure that she could get to her job everyday. It would be devastating if she started out one day and her car, which probably hasn't been getting the best of care due to her financial situation, just stops and she ends up being late on the first, second, or even the third day. Not good - she has a 30-day probationary period and those types of incidents just don't look good. So to avoid having that issue she has to get her car checked out. We all cross our fingers when going to get our oil changed because we know the mechanic is trying to find something else that needs fixing. In her case, she needed a new radiator and she could not afford the hassle of second opinions. Total cost for her trip to the mechanic for an oil change - $250.

Her financial reserves quickly diminishing, she starts calculating how much it would cost her to get to work everyday and how far she would have to stretch her remaining funds. Gas, at least enough to get to work before her first paycheck - $100. Another necessary expense - food came to $94. This included several days eating out, even though she tried to eat her breakfast at home every day.

I think she did well if she stuck to just these areas - for myself, I could think of a few other areas that would contribute to my pitiful financial state, and though I am not one to frequent the local payday advance outlet, might have to reconsider. After all, there is still rent, lights, gas, water, etc., etc.

Perhaps the idea of working from home is not such a difficult concept to embrace...