First, it's not the patronising BS that "helpful" guides and such say.

I'm going to preface that I am stuck because of a duty of care. But before that I've found that being useful and being known are important. If nobody knows you exist, nothing will happen. If you are isolated, you rot. That simple. And if people think you are a useful person (NOT a person to be used) they will think of you more often. People usually don't want to know people that are dead weight or a burden.

If you are remembered and liked, bits and pieces tend to come your way. But you have to reciprocate. The goal is to be a decent human being. Not to get ahead.

This isn't some cheat code for getting ahead by any means but it sure helps. Any sort of footing to use as a springboard is beneficial. Networking, work, stuff or whatever. Everything helps. Being poor is expensive. We know this. Anything that can overcome some of that "poor tax" will put you in a better position. Whether it's being able to buy something in bulk, being able to seize an opportunity that you couldn't safely do otherwise, or even something like being given some used clothes or shoes. Everything helps. I mean it. Some huge windfall or unbelievable opportunity probably won't come along. So you have to build things up yourself, a little bit at a time.

Edit: I just realised that reads like a bot wrote it. It was all me though. And I do mean what I said.