Hanging on the cliff

In a recent editorial in The Dallas Morning News an important question is asked and point made as to whether you are "asset-poor". This question doesn't target any certain age group or gender but more so what financial standing your in. According to the author 39 percent of Dallas residents live on a "financial cliff" meaning, that if these residents were to lose their job they would not be able to support themselves and or family for the next 3 months enough to stay above the federal poverty mark. With this being said residents lack the savings, insurance and proper investments to stay financially safe for even 3 months. One third of Dallas residents have an annual income 45,000- 70,000. Twenty percent of those earning 70,015-107,000 are on this Financial cliff, for such an exceptional income I believe that many of these residents lack the financial responsibility to save themselves from this problem. Seeing this problem before people actually don't sink their own ships does help us prepare for the worst, but I also think that warning residents of this issue and raising awareness of the problem could reduce the numbers of financial instability we see. The author says that big Nonprofit organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank have already seen problems like this arising and are preparing more for long term assistance. Whether it be certain lifestyles or just plain bad luck there are steps that can be taken by furthering education or changing spending/ saving habits that can really save someone from falling into financial poverty.