Ask HN: Having $2K and no job, how would you drastically improve your life? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Having $2K and no job, how would you drastically improve your life?

That is my situation right now. Years ago I had emergency budget to last six months, but my last job search drained it all, taking upwards of two years. Now I have just $2k for a short contract developer gig I recently finished. I live with my parents and would like to move out again.

I want to drastically improve my life within a relatively short time, a month or two, either by making myself more employable with the money, or doing something else with it. What would you do with it?

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1) To improve your skills. Buy a subscription to an online training library. I like safari books online for this. They have videos and books and 'learning paths'. There's a monthly plan option.

2) To do a targeted job search. Borrow from the library or buy the book: what color is your parachute. This will help with your job/contract search. The odds of getting a job with just sending out a resume is ~2%. This book teaches you how to figure out what your strengths are and how to do a targeted job search.

3) Start going to Meetup groups to network with people in your chosen field. Let people know what you can do, and build a network of people who can open doors to jobs/opportunities for you... this is a long term endeavor. Better yet, present at these meetup groups... to be seen as an expert/skilled person.

You don't need to spend much $, to do this.

I think spending any amount of money is unlikely to make you more employable in the short term. There's just no magic certificate or course that will have the effect desired.

If you have a side project or something that generates a bit of money, you could look to spend that money on advertising.

easy - save 90% of it - but give 10% to a charity you trust to do smartly with it - then, consider how blessed you already are - if you are healthy, and smart (which it sounds like you are) then you are already miles ahead of your peers - take some time to realize how fortunate you are for where you are today - then - do as others say - contemplate your navel - think about how you love to spend your time - and do that - don't be a corporate suckup if you don't have to - do something you are proud of - then you will always be at peace :-)

Fly to a nice destination with beaches and low cost of living. Chill a bit. Get another couple short contract jobs. Enjoy life.

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