The way cash enters into this:
- Find some very small local non-profits or charity organizations. Find out what their average donation is, and then give them double for the next X years. Bonus points if it's a non-profit or organization that does something you might need in the future. Often you'll get to know their leadership. This is by far the main one.
- I'm upper-middle class but from a working-class background, so I help people with things like legal expenses, because a lot of people get screwed but can't do anything about it. Likewise, I might kick in for a deposit somewhere if somebody's living in unsafe conditions but can't move because they can't come up with an extra ~$700. This kind of thing you only do if the person's legit, obviously.
- I buy things that I can lend to other people/make relationships over. Have a snowblower? Lend it to my neighbor. Same with tools. I try to make myself a good neighbor to have. (Not just with cash, but that's one asset I have).
- Join spaces that put you in contact with others. Co-working spaces, maker spaces, etc. Take classes, get to know people. Bonus if the classes are something that will allow you to barter in the future if you're income-limited. Convert your cash into skills you can retain and barter with in the future.
This stuff also increases your network radically, which can be helpful if you need to suddenly make a career switch, or drop down to part-time.
This is easier to do in a small town or city, for obvious reasons. Standing out in NYC or SV probably isn't as possible on a software dev salary, but it is in plenty of smaller locales.
I don't know how it's going to work, but obviously the standard advice is less applicable in our situation.
This also allows you to easily shift how many assets/how much cash on hand you have, which can be key for affording financial assistance through a relapse, since so many programs will bleed you dry first and then be shocked you continue to need help.
