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Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

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Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#11

Post by jacquesm »

throawawy3242 wrote: post #6
jacquesm wrote: post #2

I'd stop using Uber because you can't afford it and I would talk to my landlord to get them to give you better terms to break the lease since you clearly can't afford that either. Offer them to help find another tenant or try to get them to allow you to leave without another tenant lined up because they will end up with a renter in default, which will make it harder for them to get rid of you and will likely lose the…

I only use Uber because there's no other transportation except for the 4 hour bus ride one-way.

When you are long on time but short on money things like Uber are no longer on the options list. Rule #1 of surviving when you are short on money is to make every decision right.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#12

Post by stealthmodeclan »

One of my friend was in your shoes. After he got fired from the startup where he did lots of hard work without payoff. He just lost his faith in the system and sold off everything, moved to China.

Now he gives talks in local Chinese and Indian conferences shillings consultancy for companies.

He meets a lot of Chinese and Indians and now he has saved a lot of money to retire even by American standards.

One thing we don't recognize is that we might be more valualed in a country where we weren't born.

You are failing in America doesn't mean you'll fail in Thailand, India, China where my friends just because they are white get paid thousands of dollars for smiling for photops

There are many businesses in East who don't know anything about the US but still have software products which can potentially undercut western products on prices, if you show them the way to enter western market - you too can charge a premium for this.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#14

Post by Noumenon72 »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #9
throawawy3242 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I only use Uber because there's no other transportation except for the 4 hour bus ride one-way.

4 hour bus ride it is then, the one thing you do have an abundance of is time.

Or at least $25 Uber ride in to arrive on time, 2-hour bus ride home. Or the reverse if you have groceries.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#16

Post by probinso »

You are living life backwards. You have increased your expenses on how much you are making, not now much you have.

Regardless of the amount on your first paycheck, 7K should be your goal to cover rent FOR THE YEAR. 7k to break your lease, and uncertain employment, measures that you are living well beyond your means.

you cannot afford your place. Live like a student until you can manage your expenses.

Also immediately file for unemployment.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#17

Post by tuananh »

stealthmodeclan wrote: post #12

One of my friend was in your shoes. After he got fired from the startup where he did lots of hard work without payoff. He just lost his faith in the system and sold off everything, moved to China. Now he gives talks in local Chinese and Indian conferences shillings consultancy for companies. He meets a lot of Chinese and Indians and now he has saved a lot of money to retire even by American standards. One thing we do…

> One thing we don't recognize is that we might be more valualed in a country where we weren't born.

That's not quite true. Asians often think highly of Westerners for some reasons.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#18

Post by csomar »

You planned up on saving money by taking a $2k/month rental? You just started your career. People start their career by co-habitating with several of their colleagues.

The first step is to stop haemorrhaging cash. Check your local renting laws. If it allows you to stay for a few months before the law kick you out, then stop paying rent.

Take a side job (preferably night job) to make some cash to survive. Keep looking for a job. If you don't find and your rental kick out is approaching then rent a room.

And forget about Uber. Pretty sure there is some public transport bus that goes your way. (not necessarily your way but will connect you through). How do you think the majority of people are doing?

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#19

Post by staticautomatic »

A somewhat related aside: If you have any retirement savings, do not spend them unless you absolutely have to. Go bankrupt first. Many people who file for bankruptcy do not realize that retirement savings are generally untouchable even by a bankruptcy court.

Re: Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?

#20

Post by segmondy »

Stop mopping about it. Search for remote work as well, pick up cheap programming work online even if it's $10/15hr. Anything to get some pocket change coming in. Get a night job somewhere (security, inventory at a grocery store) that way you have your days free for interviews. Whatever you do you need extra income coming in, lack and loss of money is a major stressor. Talk to your landlord, they might someone to take over the lease. Place an add looking for someone to take over the lease. If a nice city, AirBnB the place once in a while, or sublet your room and sleep in the living room. Get outside everyday, go for a walk/jog, it's important to get fresh air. Everything will be alright.
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