Lost everything overnight. As the oldest son with $30k, how do I rebuild? (Desperate for advice)
I’m typing this from my childhood bedroom, which isn’t even ours anymore. Life just hit us with a sledgehammer, and I’m drowning here.
My parents ran a small hardware store for years. They worked their asses off—60-hour weeks, no vacations, nothing. I was the dumb college kid partying while they kept the lights on. Graduated with an International Trade degree, fluent in Mandarin and French, but I was too busy “finding myself” to actually help.
Then, last month, everything went to hell. A lawsuit, some insurance BS, suppliers bailing—store’s gone, house is foreclosed, and now I’m watching my 58-year-old dad try to figure out how to write a resume. My mom’s meds just got more expensive, and I’m sitting here with $30k from selling what was left of the store’s equipment.
I’m 25, the oldest son, and I need to fix this. I’ll work 12-hour days if I have to, but I don’t even know where to start.
Here’s what I’ve got:
⦁ $30k (can’t mess this up).
⦁ Fluent in Mandarin and French, decent at international trade stuff.
⦁ My dad knows hardware inside out, but his hands aren’t as steady anymore.
⦁ My mom’s super organized but stressed AF.
My half-baked ideas (roast me pls):
Amazon FBA Private Label - Found LED niche with 25% margins, but $15k minimum risk
Trade Agency - Connect US contractors with Chinese machinery suppliers (my cultural advantage?)
"Tool Library" Membership - Dad's industry knowledge + mom's organization skills
TikTok Repair Channel - Monetize Dad's repair skills (requires filming setup)
What I need from you:
⦁ Are any of these ideas worth it? Or am I just dumb?
⦁ What online courses/resources are actually useful? I’ve seen too many “gurus” selling crap.
⦁ Tools for a small team (me + parents)? We’re clueless.
⦁ How do I test an idea without blowing all $30k?
⦁ Any subreddits for broke startups or family businesses?
This isn’t just about money. It’s about giving my parents their life back. Every time I hear that auction hammer in my head, I know I gotta do something.
If you’ve got any advice—even if it’s just “don’t do that, idiot”—please throw it my way. I’m desperate here.