After being forced out of my high paying, good ole boys career at the beginning of the year...i got a job offer at 1/4 my former hourly rate. The insurance is only major medical and doesn't cover my college kid. It is an entry level completely opposite my 35+ work career, but my transferrable skills and business degree make me much more valuable. Yesterday I filed for my pension and countered the offer to be at 1/2 my former hr. wage, I like that its very close to home but, I will most likely have to pay for our own insurance and continue to save before I throw in the entire towel completely in 5-7 years. Good news is I am debt free, thank you Jesus! So insurance cost will be the only nut. Speaking of nuts...Am I nuts?

A college kid can be covered, just not for free. I believe they have to offer until after 26.

Sorry that happened to you but you are not alone. It's economies of scale...there are more people looking than available jobs so this always make the salaries go down and they are at an all time low at the moment. I've seen salaries quoted at what they were over 12 years ago! But the cost of living is not what is was 12 years ago. Only you know your situation and what is the minimum you can bare to work for. People don't value experience any more, they value just enough because they don't want to pay when they can get someone with just enough experience, pay them less and train them up. So, asking for 50% more of what they are paying will hardly ever work out in your favor. The percentage is just too high. It's better to not apply for jobs where their offer is too low because if they would pay 50% more the salary would have not been listed that low. So, it's best to figure out the least you can accept and still live and don't apply for any roles lower than that. With the state of salaries and over 100 people applying for 1 role with many of those people being very qualified, a company will move on to the next if you are requesting 50% more and be upset that you wasted their time. IF they were to pay more it may be only 5% to MAYBE 10%. But even in today's economy I wouldn't be surprised if they said there is no wiggle room. So, I would ask if the salary is up for negotiation before countering. Usually they will say in the offer that the salary is non-negotiable. They have 99 others waiting, they don't have to negotiate in today's job market. Good luck!