This message is intended ONLY for those who entered the museum profession with
both eyes open (that is, they knew going in that it doesn't pay well enough
but they wanted to pursue their chosen career anyway):

How about getting a second job? The younger you are, the easier it is to do
this. It's the holidays now, and it's a good time to get a part-time, no-
brainer retail job. After I graduated from school, I ended up getting a second
job to make ends meet. When I moved to an expensive city (Washington, DC), I
continued to work 2 jobs: one that paid the bills, one that fed my soul. At
one point I even had 3 jobs! And when my soul was full and I got tired of
working so much, I got a job that paid real money.

We all make choices in life. If you find a great job but it doesn't pay
enough:
1. Consider working a second job to make ends meet;
2. When offered a low-paying job, negotiate a 3-month or 6-month salary
review, but be prepared to tell your employer specifically how much you want.
Don't just say, "I need more...";
3. Determine in your mind how long you intend to stay (e.g., a year or 18
months). And BEFORE that time comes to an end, start looking for a better-
paying job. You may even be fortunate enough to be able to tell your employer
about your job search, and explain it's a financial decision. Most people will
understand. (And who knows? If you've done a great job and they have the
resources, you might get a raise.)

Good luck.