Tuesday, September 16, 2008 . 8:41 AM

Last week, the topic of the benefits of working for a bank came up on two occasions.

The first was brought up by Grandma, but Grandpa quickly defended me, saying that it's not all glitz and glamour working for a bank. Well, guess what? He's absolutely right. I'm glad I'm not in the banking sector now. (Sorry, Sharon... I'm not rubbing it in. Thank God you didn't go over to Merrill Lynch.)

As it is, the collapse of one bank and sale of another does not bode well for my plans for a job change. Like it wasn't tough enough trying to find employment in present climate. I was expecting an economical downturn, but this, this is so out of the blue.

Well, at least I didn't do anything rash and quit my job first. That would have been nightmarish. Having gone through an extended period of unemployment... I kind of like it.

What's not to like? I wake at noon and drift through the day. Watching drama series and reading books are the most strenuous activities I'll be doing the entire day. Do I really have to wait till retirement to be able to do that?

What would I give up for a life like that? Maybe, I can settle for not owning a car. And... not buying new clothes. If I'm going to be home like 95% of the time, why would I need new clothes? I wouldn't need cosmetics, but I need the basics: cleanser, toner, moisturizer.

I wouldn't need to do my hair every other month either.

Maybe I can survive on... $500 a month? Wishful thinking... I've got phone bills, gym membership and credit card bills to contend with. I've got books to buy, lots of them if they're going to relieve my boredom. Perhaps... perhaps I can take a few days leave just to laze... I mean, RECHARGE at home.

Worth considering.