Since I haven't developed since 2023 and am very behind in the technology and AI, should I even try to study up and get a developer job (one paycheck could solve my problems), or should I just stick with the blue-collar work and save what money I can?
The biggest problem I have right now is where to put the dogs while I work. Many places require the dog to be neutered; one of my dogs is not. I don't have the money for that operation and getting their rabies and vaccinations caught up.
Looking for advice on what to do. My gut feeling says get a job through a temp agency and continue tying up the dogs out in the woods while I work. But it just kills me to leave them out like that.
I've only got $500, so time is the biggest factor.
https://www.bestiepaws.com/nearby/free-or-low-cost-dog-neute...
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/low-cost-spa...
(CA only)
If I were you, I'd build a profile on all of those sites, and post multiple listings on all of them.
As for AI, just consider it natural language coding with severe memory/context limitations and you've got the gist of it. Since you don't have money to burn on subscriptions or API tokens right now, use this: https://chat.deepseek.com/
For the dogs situation, I would recommend reaching out to petfriendly groups for help, and vetenerians that might do things probono.
You need to figure out how to rent a room, or even a garage or ADU from someone. It is going to be drastically easier without the dogs. Maybe you can find someone you know who will take the dogs so you can still visit?
You then need to find ANY job. Drive uber for 30 hours a week, study and practice coding/AI skills/resume building for 20 hours a week, etc.
I find it highly unlikely you're going to go from living on the streets to a high paid dev job. Instead, you need to make a realistic three year plan.
You cannot keep your dogs and expect to do this, you tried, it was a noble effort, but you gotta give them up man. It's just too hard to find cheap places to rent. You need a home base to stay healthy enough to sleep, study, and learn the new skills you need.