Moved to Philippines to be with fiancee and daughter

Thomas Anderson Start Date: Jan 11, 2024 - End Date: Jul 10, 2024
  • Philippines

My Travel Story

by: Thomas Anderson Start Date: Jan 11, 2024 - End Date: Jul 10, 2024
Hello everyone,
I moved to the Philippines recently with very little money in order to be with my fiancee and daughter. I did this because I kept losing jobs in the US due to my mental health struggles (OCD, anxiety), and couldn't stand seeing my daughter grow up over video call without me. I also came to strengthen my relationship with my fiancee and we are planning on getting married.

I thought that it would have been easier to find remote work online, but the problem is that we don't have money for a work permit for myself, US companies are not so willing to hire abroad, and I don't have a strong educational background or experience that would allow me to land a good job. Currently I am researching ways that I can start freelancing or a business with little to no startup cost. We have ~ $100 left and plan on selling my fiancee's engagement ring so that we can keep providing for our daughter and extending my visa.

I can't afford to fly back to the US and also do not want to go back even if I could, because I have $18,000 in debt and low earning potential but ultimately I just can't leave my family. I came here because we need each other and if I go back to the US it will likely take 4 or more years to get in a decent enough financial position to bring them here.

We just need $300 per month to cover our expenses(we live with my fiancee's parents and her siblings, but they can't afford to support our daughter financially). That would be for milk, diapers, sharing for the electric bill, internet, and food. My visa extension costs approximately $300 every 6 months.

If we can sell the ring for a decent price (bought it with a credit card back when I was working in the US) we will be okay for maybe two months, but we're still in a tight situation and would appreciate any help offered. I wouldn't ask if we already had a source of income, but that's not the case right now and the options here for both of us to make a living are pretty limited. Financial help would allow us to support our daughter without worrying and buy time for us to find work.

I have applied to over 240 jobs in the past month or so, and haven't heard back from anyone yet. In the mean time, my fiancee is looking for work and I am looking for more ways to earn money online. I really want to prove myself and find a good career path while I'm here as well as stay with my family.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read my post!
  • Philippines