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Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

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Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#101

Post by gigatexal »

wyclif wrote: post #74

I hesitate to post here because I really don't like talking about my problems and have never written anything like this before. I'm one of the original members of HN and I've been here for a long time; since week one I think. I'm an American technologist who has done web dev work in the past, but right now I'm stuck on an island in the Philippines without income or employment, and things are getting pretty desperate…

That sucks. I’m sorry you’re in such a bind. Have you considered teaching? It’s not the most lucrative thing in the world but it can be something until something better comes along. And a storied tech person like yourself might be able to leverage the foreigner card to get an outsized salary teaching the local children or adults tech in a school or university setting.

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#102

Post by gigatexal »

qingcharles wrote: post #47

Just want to say thank you to OP for this offer! I'm homeless after ten years in pretrial detention simply because I couldn't get access to my money to bail myself out. By the time I got out everything was gone. I am doing fine though and am on the road to recovery. It's been a hard few weeks as all the food pantries I went to over the Thanksgiving holidays were closed, when you would expect them to be open, but my r…

I’ll spot you a a few months at Hetzner — I’ve no coupons will just spot you the cash. I like the company and am willing to help you out as well.

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#103

Post by gigatexal »

atdrummond wrote: post #70
Azametzin wrote: post #16

I really don't feel comfortable asking for help, even though I'm in an emergency mode with my whole day focused on trying to fix this. I've been trying to get back on my feet for months and I feel terrible about having to sit with my face in front of a screen all day trying to sort out my financial situation with short breaks to spend with my family, especially my son. I canceled a trip to see my parents for Christma…

There’s no shame in asking. If you change your mind, my email is in my profile and I’d be happy to help. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Same. I’m happy to contribute what I can

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#104

Post by gigatexal »

fsck_init wrote: post #87

My wife moved to the US from Portugal 3 years ago - during Covid lockdowns. Today we have three children and she has still yet to see her family. She only recently received her Green Card (I was her sponsor), and was forced to remain in the US until it was approved. Now, we don’t have the money to fly the family there, and her family does not have the money to fly here. Watching my children get to know their grandpar…

If you set up a go fund me or something similar I’d chip in. This is such a laudable effort I want to do what I can to help!

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#105

Post by gigatexal »

kuekacang wrote: post #96

Asking for advice. I work as programmer with salary equivalent of ~7500$/yr. Around this area, this feeds the family fine, me and spouse. No child. Really little savings. Recently spouse got cancer. No personal insurance due to limited salary--even now. We, through our govt. has ok healthcare coverage but arguably weak service. The thing is my employer healthcare is just too good, I just need to worry with logistics.…

I’m risk averse. So in your situation I’d stick it out and help your wife beat cancer. Sticking to the job you have and staying productive and employed will probably be the least stressful way on you to be available to help her. Starting a new job is so much stress and full of unknowns that it will preoccupy your time and distract you from being there for her.

If you can maybe do an inventory of your burn and see what ancillary services / costs you have that you can save on. Maybe ask family to chip in to help with childcare or cooking meals etc etc to save money but also give you more time.

Cancer sucks. I’m sorry. I hope you all make it through.

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#107

Post by gigatexal »

spdgg wrote: post #98

Hi Alexander, Thank you for doing this. I work in cybersecurity for state government. Last year I got divorced. Between rent, food, childcare, and meager wages I barely have enough money for food. What I need help with is my car. My rear window broke last week and its due for inspection and registration. I can't afford new tires either. I have a 4 year old and made sure he had toys for Christmas so I've got that cove…

How much is the window? How can I chip in to help?

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#108

Post by m348e912 »

wyclif wrote: post #74

I hesitate to post here because I really don't like talking about my problems and have never written anything like this before. I'm one of the original members of HN and I've been here for a long time; since week one I think. I'm an American technologist who has done web dev work in the past, but right now I'm stuck on an island in the Philippines without income or employment, and things are getting pretty desperate…

If you are comfortable maybe I could take a look at your resume. Not getting ANY response from employers is unusual. Perhaps part of the problem is US/EU companies don't want to hire Philippine residents directly, especially if they don't have a presense there. You might be better off working for a Philippine firm that contracts with US/EU companies.

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#109

Post by spdgg »

gigatexal wrote: post #107
spdgg wrote: post #98

Hi Alexander, Thank you for doing this. I work in cybersecurity for state government. Last year I got divorced. Between rent, food, childcare, and meager wages I barely have enough money for food. What I need help with is my car. My rear window broke last week and its due for inspection and registration. I can't afford new tires either. I have a 4 year old and made sure he had toys for Christmas so I've got that cove…

How much is the window? How can I chip in to help?

I believe it is $200 for the window motor replacement. The most help I could ask for would be food. If I can get help with food it will free up what I have to address the other stuff ($70 of food would pay my registration for example.)

I can be reached at spdgg@fastmail.com. I'm also just interested in connecting with folks who: are dads, have gone through divorce, work in IT, live in New England, or anyone also just looking to connect. For anyone wanting to do that please feel free to reach out.

If you are someone with auto mechanics knowledge,it is a power window that will go down but not up. It doesn't need to work, it just needs to go up for the winter. Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

Re: Ask HN: Who needs help this holidays?

#110

Post by neilk »

Beijinger wrote: post #82

What an incredibly great man you are. My buddy Travis in Vancouver needs help. But I have no idea how to reach him. Seems not to access his Facebook profile anymore. Supposedly he lives on the streets.

If you mean Vancouver, Canada, that’s where I live. A friend of mine used to work with a social service agency. He might know where I could put up flyers or something. It is common to see these sorts of things just pasted up on lampposts, too. Do you have a picture? Other details? Email me at the address in my profile if you want to be more private.
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