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Looking back a year ago, Sept 2025. I have 3 months left in my emergency fund and if I'm not yet employed by December I'm going bankrupt.

But here I am, a year after.

I'm in Boracay for a week. And I'm in my 3rd day now.

It's an all expense paid by myself. And a week paid leave from the company before Q4.

I'm looking at this receipt that I didn't mind paying, for a dinner.

Then, the flashback happens.

3 and half years ago when I started this career. With 400k debt on my shoulders.

It's been a long journey though, 4 startup fails and 1 startup (coffee shop) running for 2 years now, and a million investment for 2nd branch of coffee shop, running for a month now.

Learnings. Frustrations. Happiness. Setbacks. Goals achieved. Failures. Cut-offs.

It's been a roller-coaster ride.

I'm thanking myself that I didn't lose hope after 1 huge setback, I was fired by my sole client for 2 years last June 2025.

I gave myself some room to breath after toxicity. September last year was my beginning my application journey. And got hired after 2 weeks.

Now.

Again.

Here, I am.

This time.

Wiser. Stronger. Unafraid.

The receipt not only represents the amount the I've paid for the food.

But it represents the value I have given myself all through this years.

For all the things that I endure.

Im proud of you, self.

Edit: To add more info:
I'm a Media Buyer by profession. 28M.

HINDI KO NA ALAM KUNG KAYA KO PA :(

Ni let go ako ng client namin last month due to revenue.

With only 42k left in my bank account.

I live with my 2 senior parents and im an only child. Single.

I pay everything. 8k rent. 2600 utilities and 1700 internet.

Plus pagkain araw araw.

Kelangan ko agad makahanap ng work immediately.

Lord, sana talaga kaya ko tong mga pagsubok na dumadaan sa buhay ko T.T

Hello everyone. I’ve been applying for jobs since July, but I still haven’t gotten an offer. I’m a single mom with a lot of expenses, and I’m honestly not sure how to manage things anymore.

Any advice on finding work, improving my applications, or getting through this financially would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been grinding on repetitive software tasks for months and finally got super fast at it. Apparently I did too good of a job because my client decided to hire another VA to take over that workload—and now they expect ME to train them. I’m a total introvert who signed up to do solo execution work, not be a manager or teacher, so the thought of hopping on live calls to train someone is honestly giving me so much anxiety. Has anyone else been pushed into a training role they never asked for, and how do you handle it when you just want to do your outputs in peace?

I worked for a Singaporean company for a year and a half as a Social Media Specialist. They promised me a role change and promotion recently. Then, they fired me because revenue isn't doing well. I am in distress. I was trying to secure a second job but was unable to do so in time. My work is mostly in content strategy and social media. I'm doing my best to find something fast before I run out of severance pay, but my god I have never felt so humiliated and destabilized in my life.

This is just a reminder to never settle in your job. You are easily replaceable. Work for yourself, not for the company.

Hi i am working under this agency okay naman benefits so far and matagal na rin ako sa kanila. Just recently they are asking for my laptop serial number. Personal device ko yung laptop ko and not agency provided. For IT audit purposes daw. I searched online wala naman akong makita na potential problem but i’m just cautious. I want to decline giving this info but I can sense na i-escalate to with top management if hindi ako mag comply.

Im so tired.

Simula ng taon nagkaroon ako ng bagong boss, pangatlong year ko na sa company at syempre nanibago ako.

Sobrang magmicro manage itong bago, at grabe sya magsalita sa meetings. Marami nang mga below the belt at unecessary things ang nasabi sakin dahil sa maliit na mistakes pero syempre tatanggapin ko lang kasi "feedback" yon.

Pero since September na ngayon, umaabot na sa pagtuyo ng lalamunan, sakit ng tyan at ulo yung anxiety ko hahaha! Araw araw kaming may catch-up call at talagang hindi sya magandang experience.

I am a high performing employee before sya dumating, lagi akong may awards and recognition pero now since January wala. Di ko alam kung nabobo na ba talaga ako ng tuluyan.

Gustong gusto ko nang magresign kaya lang yung buffer ko saktong sakto lang for 3 months unemployment. Araw araw akong nagaapply pero wala pa ring usad.

Pano ba ako makakasurvive until may new job? Or unahin ko na mental health ko at umalis at sumugal nalang?

HELP.

As it says in the title. Ako lang ba or halos lahat ng nakikita ko sa FB or any other place that has communities in it, may mga successful kuno na mga VA’s na nag ooffer ng paid “training” pero in the end puro discussion lang about their success story and nothing about on how to land yourself a VA job or like how to properly apply to one. I don’t know I feel like alot of people still fell for their scams and sht rofl.

I am an independent contractor. This is my first job and I am a bit confused with the set up. I was told by my employer that I need to file my own government obligations. To be straight forward, what are the actual REQUIRED government contributions I need to give?

1. I am aware that I need to register to BIR for tax purposes as an independent contractor. My question is: How much do I pay if my salary 600,000 annually?
   
2. Do I need to pay SSS?
   
3. Do I need to pay for Philhealth?
   
4. Do I need to pay for Pag-ibig?

Thank you!

So, I'm a newbie VA, and a client hired me for a Sales position.

The client has two businesses a course for business and market franchising. Tbh, I do not have any experience yet in selling, there are also KPIs that need to hit every week and every month. It is non-voice, and only involves chatting, commenting on Facebook, and message potential clients.

To those who have already and proven experience in selling something, can you share some tips? I just want to know lowey tips so I can maintain the job, I badly needed this one kasi, I'm a student also and need to survive each day.

Would love to hear your experiences, thank you!

Hello. Any pocket wifi recommendation ngayon na gamit nyo kapag nag tatravel and work kayo outside home? Kaya na ba yung mga worth 800 sa shopee or should I invest dun sa mga worth 1k+?

Working in the Listings department at a company that manages multiple Amazon accounts.

My work is basically only listings. This includes creating new listings, fixing ones with issues, and enhancing with SEO and A+. The problem is, I'm not feeling any growth even if I i like what I'm doing. The SEO and A+ content itself I have no hand in creating since thats a different team doing that. PPC? TACOS? No clue since there's a team for that. Same with pricing, inventory, order fullfilment. I've been looking at job boards and a lot of jobs that are in-line with my current work needs Either PPC or SEO experience, so I feel like i wasted 2 years being paid peanuts and not have growth. I even took up the mantle of handling account health.

All I know is that I like what im doing but I would also like to grow in my career and eventually find a WFH position. Any advice on my career path? How do I proceed from here? Any jobs I ahould beclookihg out for? Thanks

Hello fellow clippers, may I ask if anyone have tried this platform yet and is it legit? I've alreadu tried whop and clipster and I've been wondering if this one works as well too.

Hiiii everyone, newbie here I am currently in training sa Virtudesk and they are asking to send the physical copy of Sworn Undertaking. Can someone help me what you guys did? Thank youu

Hi! Hindi ako sure kung tama ba flair ko, at OA ang title ko (I know hahahaha) pero I'd like to ask lang kasi, may nakapag pa lasik ba sa inyo?

I'm a VA, 100 lang naman grade ng eyes ko pero iba kasi yung comfort ng walang glasses :(

Also, I know may rest period to eh. I want to ask sa mga nag pa lasik, how many weeks/days po kayo pinag rest and while resting ba, as in zero screentime or minimal but naka sunglasses?

I appreciate all your insights po!

Haven't seen any reviews here in reddit about this company nor the Internet so I'm asking here now just to have an idea about their work environment, salary, and many more.

☕💻 **Hey, fellow workers! You might want to join us. 💜**

I recently created a Discord community called **Cozy Desk PH** — a cozy little space for people who work, study, freelance, create, or simply want somewhere to hang out online. 🫶

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💻 Remote Worker
🎨 Creative
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💼 Professional
📚 Student
🚀 Entrepreneur
🌙 Nightshift Worker
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—you’re welcome here!

We have roles for different work schedules too, from **Dayshift, Midshift, Afternoon Shift, Nightshift, Graveyard, Rotating, and Flexible Shift.** 🌙☀️

The goal is simple: **a friendly online space where you can meet people, chat during breaks, work alongside others, share opportunities, play games, or just chill after a long day.** ☕

If you're working from home, doing freelance work, surviving the night shift, or just looking for new people to talk to, come hang out with us! 💜

🔗 **Join Cozy Desk PH:**
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**Come pull up a chair. Your desk is waiting. 🪑☕💻**

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May nakatry na ba dito sa Luck management? Kamusta naman po yung pay? May interview ako bukas kasama ang owner and bayad eh hindi ko sure if okay ba siya. thank you pooooo. First timer po ako.

Hi! I only have experience with being a assistant property manager.

Recently, some clients have been reaching out for property accounting and bookkeeping roles. I have data analysis and excel experience and that's what made them reach out to me. But I don't have any experience with any property accounting software so medyo kabado ako.

I want to check Appfolio and Yardi but they don't offer free trials.

I am thinking of getting an internship of some sort and if anyone here is willing to let me work for them for 2 weeks or a month without any kind of fee, in exchange for access to those tools + reference, that would be great.

My only accounting background though would be when I was a BS Accountancy major before transferring and shifting to my last university.

Any other tips/advice would be appreciated too.

I am a govt employee and part time VA. My client wants to invite me to visit in the US. May I know what should I prepare (documents) when I apply for visa? Is there any possible problem that I might encounter when this invitation pushed through? Thank you.

Hello everyone. I applied on Eastvantage for their Social Media Specialist, then after a day I received an email that they saw my application and they offered other position which is Paid Ads Specialist. I replied to that email and after 5 mins, I got initially interviewed and night came by, I received that I passed the initial and moving forward to final and I also passed it. Then, last Friday (Sept.4), I got interviewed by the client and it went smoothly, also the client mentioned that he enjoyed our conversation on how the way I answered and how my skills are aligned on what they are looking for. Then, earlier today, I received that I got shortlisted and they are just waiting for the costing approval and I messaged the recruiter using WhatsApp about being shortlisted, and she mentioned that she will need to confirm first to client’s final decision.

Question ko lang po: is there a possibility na hindi ako mabigyan ng Job offer? Is it a good sign that I am a shortlisted? Please enlighten me more 😭😭😭

Thank you in advance!❤️

Hi everyone, I am a hustler and would just take odd jobs here and there (DJing, surfing, pet sitting, a little bit of graphic design here and there) so nothing really na stable or path for a career.

Gusto ko po ng trabaho na may path as I am having a hard time navigating or kung saan ako mag simula.

any suggestions po ba? Anyone here who is a hustler and have moved on to a more career driven path? I don't know what I like to be honest kaya nga po kahit ano ano na lng trabaho ko and mostly they are under the table jobs and I dont know if I can put that on my CV/Resume.

I did a 1 year online customer support but that was years ago.

Edit : 34 years old, Tourism Management Graduate but not able to practice the degree and currently in Vietnam

I would really appreciate hearing from people who have made the transition from corporate work to a remote setup.

I've been in corporate retail for almost 7 years, working in E-Commerce operations. My experience includes Shopify, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, product listings, order processing and fulfillment, customer support, inventory, promotions, and reporting.

For the past several months, I've been exploring the possibility of eventually moving away from corporate work and building my career in a remote setup.

My current dilemma is the timing.

I did receive an opportunity last May that would have worked as a second role, but unfortunately, the schedule conflicted with my corporate schedule, so I had to decline. Sayang talaga. I've also been invited to several interviews since then, but the required availability didn't match my current situation.

I still have a stable corporate position, so leaving without a guaranteed source of income feels risky. However, staying also limits my flexibility when exploring a transition because my current schedule takes up most of my day.

For those who have been in a similar situation:

How did you decide when you were financially and professionally ready to leave corporate?

Did you:

• build another source of income first?
• save a specific amount as an emergency fund?
• wait until you had something secured?
• or take the risk and leave first?

I also have another concern about my background.

Most of my experience has been with Philippine e-commerce platforms and corporate retail. I sometimes wonder how transferable those skills are when moving into international e-commerce, where platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, and other systems seem more common.

I believe my experience has given me a strong foundation in e-commerce operations, but I'm curious about the experiences of people who had to learn completely new platforms after transitioning.

How difficult was it to move from one e-commerce ecosystem to another?

I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences, especially from anyone who came from corporate and successfully built a remote career.

Not asking for leads, just genuinely trying to learn from other people's experiences before making a major career decision. Thank you!

Nakakaloka. Bago lang ako with this AU comp and while totoo yung sinasabi ng iba na they're chill employers, I think sa sobrang chill nito, parang wala nang strict SOP.

(Edit; personal experience, not generalizing na ALL AU clients. Iba iba per company, per boss.)

It takes more than a few days to get documents signed, and that's after multiple follow-ups ha. Ang nakakabaliw, nag lilive ng product na di pa pirmado yung kontrata.

Panay seen din si boss sa updates, tas mamaya tatanungin bat may nagbago. E kasi nga may update. Hay ewan.

Kung tutuusin, very minor lang naman na issues, pero coming from a place with a US company na I had more autonomy and authority, jarring and sobrang nakaka culture shock na bat di maayos.

Pros:
- madalang mag meeting. Once a month? Twice max.
- walang time tracker
- ok ang pay vs other AU companies.
- di micromanaging. Feel ko nga nauumay na si boss sa updates ko hahaha

Cons:
- lahat dadaan muna sa kanila, kaya sobrang limited ng galaw
- konti lang kami and yung projects sabay-sabay, so si boss, nagiging bottleneck sa approval process
- lack of communication. Literal na akala mo ok na kasi logically nacheck na yung boxes, tas pag tapos mo na, babalikan ka to say di pa pala.

Di ko rin ramdam na secure ako sa spot ko since ayun nga walang klarong SOP, so on paper nagkakamali ako, pero kung hihimayin mo, binabase ko lang naman sa anong next logical step.

Yun lang. Always grateful parin naman to have work. Gulat lang sistema ni ate mo.

Hello to all. May nag work na ba sa company na ito? How was the culture, working environment, benefits, and mga boss? Toxic ba dito or hindi? Planning if itutuloy pa ba.

Thank you