People are usually exploited on freelancing sites like UpWork to work for considerably less money than the market value of their work, so I wouldn't recommend that, unless they're in a desperate situation.

People tend to start off that way. That's the pain of getting noticed. If you create an established profile it can be lucrative. But people who think they will join and get their 'worth' rate straight away are dreaming.

Also try to keep your account a little anonymous. I know of guys in developing countries that have criminals target them if they stand out as good earners.

OP is in a desperate situation. They already said they have modest needs and are looking to get a foot in the door.

> Considering the COVID situation, In the worst case scenario I'll be without a job for a while. I have finances to manage for (probably) a year and a month or two.

> I'm not looking for job offers out of sympathy. This is just considering the worst case scenario, and I want to have something to fall back to if it turns out to be the case.

They are very, very far from being in a desperate situation, and they have not said that they are looking to get a foot in the door.