The NYT reports that the number of young adults living with their parents has risen and the number of new households dropped by 80,000 since 2007 (pre-recession times). To state the obvious, in times of economic downturn, people have learned to make do and consolidate. Black folks’ have a long tradition of keeping the family close, often living with one or two extended family members, so this much “new” cultural norm is more of the same for us. Living with family members definitely has its benefits (money, taxes, health, childcare needs, sense of community) but is it always the best solution? Would you move in with Big Mama’nem if times got hard?