Last month, President Barack Obama laid out his plan to address America's huge unemployment problem.

Recent reports show the U.S. unemployment rate is down slightly, but analysts point out the economy is not really adding jobs.

That is expected to be the center of the economic debate as lawmakers pound out legislation aimed at job creation.  But what can Americans do in the mean time if they lose their job?

Click play for advice from author and financial advisor Rodney Ballance.