I'm hitting 6 months of unemployment and funds are running dry. My journey into becoming a Stock Marxist is going... ok I guess? I'm learning a lot and know so much more than I did in December, but the money isn't there to prove it.
So I'm looking for something to do that will not make me go insane. I had a temp job that ended in November, and before that I was working in a Software Dev role that caused my autistic self a lot of grief. My mind was in a dark place. It still is kind of there TBH.
I don't want to get back into software. The tech changes too much, the frameworks methodolies and endless meetings are frustrating, AND because everyone was told to "learn to code" I have close to 0% shot my resume gets picked out of a pile of 1000s of other applicants. I've been branching out into more data analysis/database type work and there's an AI tool I'm paying for to automate applying. I know it's not what I'm supposed to do, but I also know spending all day filling out job apps is not where I want to be either.
What other options are out there? Things I'm considering:
Rover (pet sitting)
Data Annotation (AI training)
Flipping things I can find for free or at thrift stores?
Fiverr? Help people with their WordPress sites or something...
IDK, any other ideas?
Long term: try giving your state or city government’s job portal a look. Like others mentioned, GIS and IT analyst roles are in demand and you have the background for it while not necessarily being a code monkey. State govs often have very long hiring processes and lower pay so they have hard times filling positions, they just sit empty. Not to mention the elite benefits and pension.
Short term: I agree with the rideshare, you’re taking a big mileage hit but cashing it in for money now and the bills won’t wait for you.
Also consider leveraging your technical background to be a stronger candidate for less technical positions. I studied engineering and now do operations management in a tradie industry but I like it a lot.
Good luck out there, just gotta keep up the applications even if it seems hopeless
Also idk if I would recommend trading. Unless you have insider knowledge, it’s literally just luck. Maybe try getting into boglehead strategies? They are proven to beat the vast vast vast majority of traders with 0 effort.
I invested a little money (like tens of dollars) into Chinese ETFs during this tariff pump and dump (didn't sell), some of my ETFs already have 20% gains or more. I just invest for the long term when I have some cash, and it has worked out better for me since.
Though I did this while still working. I haven't traded since losing my job. I only recommend this when you have income.
It’s actually really interesting you mention Chinese ETFs. I am focusing on paying off my student loans before I can aid comrades or invest (high % compound interest is a bitch…) but I also play with small amounts to see how I want to spread in the future.
I really think the Chinese market will be the future and overweight them in my 401k. I get a decent match so I think of it as funneling capitalist money directly to China (but still poor and net in debt for the foreseeable future…).
I do agree that investing wide in ETFs like you did is the way to go. I like to buy the whole market and hold because that’s the only guarantee to beat the rigged game but well researched plays can pay off for sure.
The game is definitely rigged. Sony algo and high frequency trades cause institutions to move the biggest tickers where ever they want. When I trade I'm trying to follow what they're doing and come along for the ride.
But NGL I've learned more ways to NOT trade recently! Stay away from SPY lol