The New York Times ran this piece about people working four or more jobs to pay the bills.
Not surprisingly, everybody in the story was under 30.
Nor was it surprising that hundreds of readers chimed in to say: “twentysomethings working multiple jobs? Duh!”
This piece is driving home points that you and I already know.
College grads of the last decade:
- Left school with record student loan debt.
- Face a somewhat improving—but still very gloomy—job market.
- Probably won’t be able to make ends meet, repay student debts, and start saving on an entry-level salary alone.
The following excerpt describes an aspiring actress who works more than four jobs to make ends meet. I think her story may not be all that unusual among twentysomethings:
LOUISE GASSMAN, 28, has a rotating schedule of multiple jobs: as an actress; as an assistant to dance instructors at the Circle in the Square and Juilliard schools; as a baby-sitter; and in a variety of administrative roles and as a spinning instructor at SoulCycle, an indoor cycling studio in New York.
Ms. Gassman’s monthly income, which can vary greatly depending on whether she books an acting job, ranges from $1,800 to $4,000. Some months, almost all of her income goes to the $1,450 rent on her 290-square-foot studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Whatever is left after essentials goes toward paying off her remaining $16,000 in college loans.
“I worry about money all the time,” Ms. Gassman said. “I live on a really tight budget, and I live paycheck to paycheck.”
Periodically, the accountant who cuts her check at SoulCycle reminds her that someone her age should be putting away $300 a paycheck for retirement, an amount that is sometimes almost half of her pay. “I’m like, retirement?” she asks. “Then I have the ‘Oh my God, Oh my God’ feelings.”
I know many of you will immediately want to set Ms. Gassman straight.
- “What are you doing living in a Manhattan studio on that kind of pay? Get roommates, or at least move to Jersey.”
- “Please tell me you at least have an emergency fund? And health insurance!!”
- “What do you expect for wanting to be an actress? Get a real job.”
But here’s the reality: while these things occur immediately to regular readers of personal finance blogs (like the accountant prosthelytizing for retirement contributions), most people do not think so pragmatically.
What’s Ahead:
Most of us hate thinking about money, so we don’t
I can’t prove this. (Yet.) But there are indicators. Like the fact that over half of Americans couldn’t scrounge together $2,000 in an emergency if they had to.
I also suspect this because for the first half-decade of my adulthood, I was one of these people.
I was 22. Retirement wasn’t on my radar. Neither was health insurance. (Isn’t that for old, sick people?) Saving for tomorrow was something a few of my friends did, but they were math and business majors, and they graduated without debt. I was lucky to be working at all, and if I had money in my pocket for drinks on Friday night and a bus fare to visit my girlfriend, that’s all I needed. When emergency expenses came up (and they did), well, that’s what credit cards are for, right?
This is how many, many people think. Especially in our twenties.
If you’re one of these people, you get it. But the problem is, you’re probably not reading my blog. Most of you who are reading have emergency funds and 5-figure IRAs at 25, and unless you’re reformed like me, the concept of ignoring your finances is alien. Confounding. Terrifying.
I wish more people who don’t think about their money would read this blog, but I can’t force them.
Getting personal finance advice is like going to AA. An alcoholic isn’t going to get sober until he’s ready to get sober. When that happens, AA is there for him. In the same way, when you realize you need to get a grip on your finances, personal finance blogs are here for you. But we can’t force you to start an emergency fund any more than a concerned family member can force an addict to quit.
So what the hell does all this have to do with working multiple jobs?
This:
Second jobs solve financial problems
When you can’t make ends meet and can no longer cut back, you must earn more money. And second jobs are the easiest way for most people to do that. Even if you’re totally unwilling to make a budget, cut back on spending, automate your savings, stop using credit cards, you can get at least get a second job.
The upside of Ms. Gassman’s situation is that she’s doing what it takes to pay her bills…working a crazy number of odd part-time jobs.
Not everybody is willing to do that.
But the ones that do get ahead.
Second jobs are what started me on the road out of debt and to financial security. And in one way or another, I’ve been working multiple jobs for the last five years.
In my mid-twenties, I worked nights and weekends at a Starbucks in addition to my 9-5 job. Later, when blogging grew into a business, I traded actual second jobs for self-employment in addition to my regular employment.
Later this month, I’m going to publish a post offering a behind-the-scenes look at what the business of blogging looks like and how I now make full-time money from this blog spending only a couple hours a week working on it. If you don’t believe me—I understand—I can still hardly believe it, too. But it’s true. (Subscribe if you don’t want to miss it.) In that post, I’m also going to explain why I still have a day job and why I have no intentions of leaving it.
But here’s a hint: Two incomes are better than one.
When you take on a second job, you get:
- Extra money to pay down debt, start saving, or just get by.
- Income diversification. You can lose one job and “still have something”.
- Additional networks and career opportunities. Sometimes, an extra job may turn into something more.
Best Side Hustles
Now that you understand the benefit of getting a second income, here are some of the best side hustles to supplement those impulse buys and help you save for emergencies:
Ridesharing
It’s a huge new industry, and it’s only getting bigger. If you have a car, you can make money on the side. It’s just sitting there anyway while you’re at work, so let your car earn its keep! Check out Uber or Lyft for some of the best rates and policies anywhere. These services also take the leg work out of ridesharing, matching you with passengers who are ideally suited for you.
Caregiving
Whether it’s babysitting at night, caring for the elderly on the weekends, or picking up kids from school, people will pay you a lot for these easy jobs that generally don’t take a lot of time.
Pet sitters/dog walkers
The only thing people love more than their kids are their pets. And people will pay astronomical amounts to have their four-legged friends cared for properly. If you have a penchant for furry friends, this could be a lucrative business for you. Imagine, you can charge $20 to go for a walk with one pup. Now, imagine you are taking five dogs at the same time: $20*5= $100 for the same walk you were taking anyway!
Household care and personal assistant
There are plenty of people who are just too busy to get basic tasks done on their own and are willing to pay well to have someone else do it for them. From picking up the groceries to tidying up after the morning rush or getting the mail organized, there are so many easy to do jobs that people will hand over to you for a price.
Like what you’re hearing? Here are some more side hustles that are easy to do and will earn you the extra cash you want.
The downside of working multiple jobs
Obviously, working multiple jobs requires the one resource more precious than money, our time.
I’m not saying go out and work 100 hours a week. Balance is important. But working 60 hours a week never killed anybody, especially when you’re young and/or single.
In my moonlighting days, I certainly felt a bit of a stigma to working two jobs. (In fact, I chose the Starbucks I worked at because it was a good 30 minutes away from my office; still, I occasionally bumped into a coworker there.) I’m under the impression this may have changed in light of how hard the economy’s been, which would be great. I’d love to hear your input in a comment—how much of a stigma is there to working multiple jobs or working service jobs with a college degree? Is it changing?
Why I’m telling you this
Simply put, today’s twentysomethings have lousy starting positions for life. Choosing to work multiple jobs for a defined period of time (when you’re young and have the time), is a great way to catapult yourself ahead.
Nobody should work their life away, and that’s not what I’m recommending.
BUT…a few extra hours on the clock today can get you out of debt faster or on track to saving faster. In short, it can pave the way to more secure future. Heck, if Louise Glassman keeps it up, she might even be able to sock something away for retirement.
What about you? Do you work multiple jobs? How’s it helped you? What are the drawbacks? Are there any stigmas to working more than one job or certain kind of jobs? Share your story in a comment.
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I work three jobs (one full-time; two part-time) and graduated college two years ago and am 24 years-old. My 9-5 is at a tech company and the other two are in the sector I would like to get into (sports). I’m a High school coach and an event manager for a D1-College athletic department. I’ve found that having side hustles in the industry you want to get into full-time is rewarding and keeps you motivated. Not only do you have those titles on your resume but it shows that you’re accountable and hardworking. PLUS who doesn’t like the extra income that you can use for savings, pay-off debt, or buy those expensive shoes or handbags you’ve been eyeing every once in a while. Last but not least, you find out a lot about what you do and don’t like in a work environment.
Yes multiple jobs has & is helping me get ahead. Balance is important once you have the schedule. A goal- paying off one credit card to zero is motivation to get the job. How to stay committed to the hours after a tough 8 hour day is my challenge.
I have been working two jobs for about 6 months now, I also am currently a full time college student in my sophomore year. My job during the week is full time but the hours work with my school scheduled and allows me time during the day to do school work and my second job is during the weekends. Getting to my point here, I don’t necessarily need the weekend job but I do like the extra income. I am currently conflicted with myself and how I am “working my life away” as the article says. My motivation is that working two jobs isn’t going to be forever, by me working hard now for my college degree I am hoping to get a good paying job as a career.
I worked in restaurants while finishing up school to get by. When I got a “real job,” daywalking in a law firm, I felt guilty about leaving the restaurant gig. I worked hours into the nights and coming in a zombie-like fashion. It was two blocks from my house. Convenience was key! It’s chill for your 20s and I met fantastic people. It was refreshing to just “be myself” and chill outside the rigid construct of the office. I stayed active and maintained my weight.There was a definite stigma at the firm, because they never wanted me to leave promptly at 4:30 PM. My boss would always ask, “So, are you working tonight?” When I finally quit [the restaurant began demanding more of my time, and insensitive about my day job], I didn’t tell my firm for about two weeks and pretended to leave early “to rush” for the second gig. A few months rolled by and I started to miss the extra money. I got yet another restaurant gig; this time it was close to the firm. I could dash out by 5:00 PM [still working late and not feeling guilty] and let the restaurant know if I’m here by 6:00 PM… “We’re good..” It was problematic, because I never made it home by midnight and the restaurant wanted me there most nights.
Eventually, 2:00 AM nights and being in the office at 8:00 AM got old. These days , I’m down to one job and up a couple inches on the waist [sedentary lifestyle]. Nevertheless, I miss having a second job… the extra money, plus the dynamic of being free from the that rigid office life.
I’d pick up a retail gig, but no more restaurants . I’d need set hours, because the night is for sleeping.
Did you let both jobs know about eachother, so you can workout hours between the two or did you just wing it an got lucky with the hours they didnt coincide, or did you have to work that out with both managers?
I know it’s been years since it’s been written, but here I am, a single mom drowning in debt. I just left my last job for its toxic work environment (expected 20hours overtime with no pay, sexual and ageist discrimination daily, no benefits dispute being in a managerial position….). So I socked away some money and decided to quit. Now I started a 9 to 5 job and I’m back and forth on getting a second job because I feel I’ve already missed so much. But I still need to pay bills and pay off debt. I am hoping to relocate to where there are better job opportunities, but I can’t just yet.
I agree with this article 100%. I started out of college as a consultant at Deloitte in Chicago. I was saving a decent amount but also spending a bunch or rent and going out in my free time. After my first year, I moved back home with my parents – which isn’t as bad as it sounds because as a consultant, I travel 5 nights a week already and with adding a second/third job spend very little time at home. I became a youtube travel vlogger which was easy since I go from town to town each week trying new restaurants and hotels. I get about 2000 dollars a month vlogging about my experience with no additional cost. In addition, I became a Soul Cycle Instructor teaching 2-3 classes a weekend netting me another couple thousand bucks a month. With the additional 4000 dollars of income a month and saving 1200 a month in rent, I’ve now started investing in rental property. I’ve been spending the remainder of my time with upkeep of my triplex apartment in Lincoln Park which I’m able to rent for 4200 dollars a month (3 separate 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom apartments). Taking on these extra jobs has definitely helped me be more productive with my time, save extra money, and even grow my community by exposing myself to many new people!
I work in marketing in Boston making about 50K (I’m 25) and I have been working as a server in a local restaurant for about 7 months now. It’s great because the restaurant isn’t open past 9pm during the week and 10 pm on the weekends so it isn’t so bad. I did just join a gym though, so I’ll see how things go in terms of feeling like I can manage my time off well enough to take classes there.
I am 16 years old, and I work two jobs. I work 6 days a week most of the time.I originally began to work two jobs with the goal of saving up enough to buy my own car before my birthday which is in August. Honestly, the route that i’m going i’ll have way more than enough to buy a car, and even before my birthday. Working two jobs can be tiring but once those consecutive paychecks begin to hit your card or your direct deposit every other week I promise you all the hours of working and being on your feet will truly pay off.
Iβm 51 and doing this (4-5 jobs), during the school year, as a teacher. And Iβll work my part-times in summer, too. I hope to retire one day. I feel your pain, 20-somethings. Hereβs to better days for you.
I have a full time job which, for most of the year, is 50+ hrs a week. My job is sedentary and caused less activity while i continued to eat my normal portions. Over a couple years, I gained weight. I thought briefly of getting a gym membership to attend after/before work. But then my rational mind took over and I got an ACTIVE second job. So, I get paid to lose weight. I love it. The extra money helps greatly. To me, it doesn’t matter that it doesn’t pay much. My goal to lose weight is being met and I’m getting paid. Don’t view the second job as a burden, use it as an opportunity of plenty. Second Jobs Rock!!!
That is really inspirational.
I have done something similar – I have a full-time job based on a career in education but am getting ready for my “encore career” as I approach retirement age. My day job is sedentary, and my second job is in the fitness field. Getting paid to be active and to hang out with people in a recreation centre that is very community oriented. At this point it’s less about the income and more about quality of life.
However, back in my 20s and 30s I also had multiple jobs to pay the bills. My main teaching job plus tutoring, baking for farmer markets, and so on.
Sometimes yes, it gets a bit much – like anything can – but as Monica says I would find the opportunities rather than burdens. Usually the second job energizes me and provides a different perspective than my day job.
I don’t think a second job is a good idea; unless completely necessary or in your same field.
It’s difficult to get anywhere in life if your energy is going in multiple directions. You can skyrocket up your field if you aren’t putting energy into a million side tasks/jobs.
My advice for someone with limited funds that wants to pay off school and eventually have a good career would be the following.
Simplify & automate every aspect of your life. This opens up time so you can focus all your energy in the one direction you want your career to go. You can research (free) ideas for work on your own time and implement them gaining additional experience & potentially a raise. Improve your knowledge by reading & studying. Try starting a business in your free time with your new knowledge that build of the knowledge & experience from your industry. etc…
Examples of what I mean by simplifying & automating:
1) Cook 90% (or whatever works for you) of your meals on Sunday night for the week. This can save you money & time through the week.
2) Banking, phone bills, etc… can be automated. Don’t waste time & mindspace dealing with these each month. Just know your fixed costs for a month, and income. That’s all you need to know the amount of cash you can spend on variable expenses.
3) Less is more. You don’t need a house full of ‘stuff’. Consider minimalist living. You don’t wast time & money trying to buy a new coffee table you ‘want’. Your house is easier to maintain, saving additional money. & you get to spend $ on the things you truly love.
4) This one doesn’t work for me, but it works for Obama & Eintstien. Don’t spend time picking out, and considering clothes. Obama has two suite colors, and this helps him put his effort into more high-level decisions.
The above are a few examples. I could go on, but in the end it comes down to figuring it out on your own. Figure out what’s are important ‘high-level’ things in your life, and what are ‘low-level, detail-intensive’ things that take up too much of your time. Then automate that away.
I use to be stressed w/ all the different things I had to do in my life – full time job, class, renovating my place, spending time with people,buying items, finding time to relax/exercise, finding time to eat, etc… But, now I spend 60 hours between work & school – all focused in the same direction and have received good promotions. That still leaves me 7.5 hours to sleep each night and 60 hours a week of free time – which is a ton.
I’m 18 and have 2 jobs already, ready to take on a third job but my question is could I handle my time with this third one?
I work three jobs, one of which is literally one day a week so it balances out. You don’t have to get a third job though, just pick up more hours at your second job.
that’s a good idea
An example β if gross income including income tax is $150 and spending is $50, the spending rate is 33% / available to save is 66%. However, if income taxes are $10 in the above example, the spending rate becomes 36% / available to save is 64%. The latter seems more precise, at least to my mind.
I appreciate articles as your thorough topic on working multiple jobs. I definitely understand working service jobs despite holding a college degree. I been working service jobs since late April 2011 since its the only jobs that offered employment. As many people, I dealt with the ups and downs of the recent economy. From July 2009 to late April 2011, I applied for countless job openings only to receive a handful of interviews. Fortunately, I had a family that was helpful and supportive, yet the desire to be self-sufficient meant much to me.
In April 2011, I got a job offer in service industry and it was close to full-time hours 37+ hours a week. After a year, the company cut my hours in half. What I earned in one paycheck in 2011 is what I earned in one month in 2012. Toward the tail end of 2013, I picked up another part-time job. The good thing about my second part-time job is this particular employer allows me to work 20 to 30 hours a week. This comes in handy, especially when my other part-time job trims my hours further.
Lastly, I do receive some negative vibes from people my age in the late 20s to mid 30s range. Others understand why I work 2 part-time jobs and few think that I am crazy to work 2 part-time jobs. From the few conversations I have with people my parents age, they all understand that I have to do what I must do.
I realize this is “money under 30” but you can learn a few things from an old-timer like me (I’m in my 50s). After my divorce, I worked 3 jobs to make ends meet, despite a relatively high paying primary job. I had my 9 to 5 (actually, more like 7:30-4:30), some evenings and weekends at a home improvement store part time, and consulting work on an as-needed basis for a company I used to work for. And in my 50s. So it’s not just the younger set that does it, at least if you know what’s good for you. It took me 3 years to get my finances handled and pay raises at my day job to stop working so much, but I’m there now. There’s light at the end of the tunnel if you can just discipline yourself to keep at it and are willing to make the short-term sacrifices.
I appreciate this comment. My step father has two children from a previous marriage and a son with my Mother. He works TWO full time jobs during the weekdays and one on the weekends in order to provide for both families. I myself work full time and have a part time job on the weekdays. He is one of the hardest working people I know and I like to think he has set an example for me encouraging me to take another job so I can save, buy a home, and set myself up for the future so I do not have to live paycheck to paycheck.
Good article. My wife and I have been struggling badly ever since our first born was brought into this world a year ago. Daycare costs more than my mortgatge, and the cost of food and baby necessities is just criminal. Have a decent paying FT job although my wife makes hardly anything as a vet tech w/ a 2yr college degree that we have a huge amount of debt for. Just recently got a PT job on the side working approx 30 hrs per week at a decent wage but I haven’t received my first check since the job is fairly new.
All I can say is if you’ve established yourself as a hard worker and have professional contacts from previous jobs, try reaching out to those contacts to see if there’s any room for you to come back on a PT basis…the job I just landed was created for me when there was no opening currently listed…I worked hard when I worked there previously and the regional manager pitched the idea as a cost-saving initiative to the board and they agreed to bring me back.
I totally relate to you. Since we had our daughter things got harder (in the sense of cost of living) but we are thankful to have my mom taking care of her (a lot of young parents DONT have that). Our biggest struggle is …. 6 figure student loan debt. Once you add that to medical debt it seems like a never ending road. Thankfully, both my husband and I took on 2nd jobs. We know we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel but it’ll be a long road.
I’m finding this article several years after it was originally written. Having recently acquired a second job (I’d been searching for one that fit my needs for the past two years) I have to say nothing has changed. I am well into my late thirties. I couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel to getting out of debt until I started working more than one job. Its nice to actually have money to cover all of the bills AND pay down old debt. But that was impossible to achieve on my salary from one full time job. I sacrifice the time for the money and don’t regret it. I will take going to sleep knowing there’s actually enough money in my account to cover everything over what it used to be any day. Do I wish I could get by with only working one job? Of course I do. But that is sadly not a reality for most of us. I take my hat off to anyone working multiple jobs and can do it successfully. I encourage it. Diversification is important especially when you’re young enough with the energy to do it. I know a lot of baby boomers who wish they had done what I’m doing now, when they were younger and had the energy to do it. Once you get closer to retirement, you will wish you did it now.
I’m still quite new to the workforce. I started working when I was 18, I’m not 21. My longest job lasted 13 months. My shortest, 2 days (It was a phone survey job.) I recently got hired at a retail hardware store, and yesterday I got a call from another retailer. I told the manager I’d call back another day.. I immediately phoned my friend who always gives me work advice and she told me to call back ASAP. I called and had a phone interview. I wasn’t expecting it. I was anxious, pacing and somewhat out of breath because of all of that, but they want me to come in for a second interview! I’m sure I have the job. This will be my first time working two jobs and my first time being employed after getting laid off 6 months ago. It was difficult to find a new job since it was off season for most places and I was attending school, so I had no time anyway. I’m happy to have this experience and I’m hoping I can also get hired at LeapForce and make a little more side change. I have a bit of a spending habit. I’m not a big spender, but with the money I make a couple dollars makes a big dent in my accounts.
I’m finding this article several years after it was written, but appreciate it all the same. I have a decent-paying job that pays the bills and allows a little wiggle room for fun, I live in a decent area, and drive a decent car. I got a bit of wanderlust last year, and racked up a few thousand dollars in debt in travel expenses (I admit – I don’t regret it, it was a worthy experience). Now I’m entering my late 20s, and although I have a retirement fund and am not too worried about bills each month, I decided to pick up a second job to pay off my debt.
I started waitressing and paid my debt off in a matter of months. I put every dime I made as a waitress towards that debt, and was amazed how quickly that debt disappeared. I quit the second job shortly after, but now only three weeks later, I’m contemplating going back. Not because I have to, but because I want to. I have no kids, no real debt….why not save as much as I can now for that dream house, dream vacation, or beautiful wedding?
Even with two jobs, I only work about 65 hours a week. It’s definitely worth it.
Hi, I’m just curious…how did the hours break down for both of your jobs? Was one job a full time 40 hour a week and the other a 25 hour/week? Were the majority of the hours for your second job worked during the weekends? Sorry for the questions, but I’m looking into getting a second job and want to figure out the logistics.
I’m nearing 30 and I have been working 2 jobs at 60+ hours a week. Sucks thing is I feel I was underpaid and I just got into a slump because I felt lucky to have a job. The market is not so great in my area. I finally landed a job that is the equivalent salary of the two jobs I was working combined with better hours. At the same time I also landed a girlfriend. I have been single for the past 5 years, not by choice, and right now building a solid foundation with this girl is more important to me than a second job, I feel like I should still be working the second job, but she doesn’t want me to and if I had to choose it would be her over the job. Luckily she doesnt care much about money she grew up poor and shes thrifty. There’s just always that pressure to keep something that fits my schedule on the back burner and. not walk away. It’s a tough game out there especially when you are trying to pay off debt and start a retirement. I feel like employers know the market is bad so they always undercut you unless you have a wealth of experience.
Thank you for your post. I am in the midst of quiting my 2nd job when I stumbled upon your post. I am 28, I have been working 2 jobs for 5 years now. Intend to save the cash for property purchase. I live in Singapore, most office worker doesn’t do 2nd job ( strangely they are willing to put in extra hour in their main job, instead of using it to earn extra income). For several years I have been deemed as ‘desperate’ and ‘Anti-social’ as i can’t hang out on weekend. Your post highlight the (long term) benefit of having a second job, and how it is essential in current economic.
I will keep my 2nd job π
I am way late to the party here, but I stumbled across your post looking for inspiration, or perhaps motivation, to keep on keeping on.
About a year and a half ago I had to take a second job to make sure that my husband and I had health insurance, being that we are both primarily self-employeed it was the only logical option. We tried Obama-Care, and many other individual policies. However, we kept running into one HUGE roadblock. I was in a car accident in 2000 and my right femur is titanium. Apparently this is a “big deal” and “major pre-existing condition”. So just to insure myself, it would have cost more per month than our mortgage. Now keep in mind I am probably out of the age range of most of your readers (well over 30), so I cannot just go on my parents policy. It was our responsibility, and luckily an opportunity arose and I stepped up to the plate.
Now to answer your questions…just with everything in life there are positives & negatives. Prior to taking a second job I was well on my way to building a thriving Hypnosis & Wellness practice. To this day I am hesitant to let certain clients know that I am often shuffling between offices because there is a HUGE stigma there. I believe it gives the impression that I am not successful in my practice, which could not be further from the truth. Although I have shared the details with some clients (the ones that I have known a while) and I recieve mixed responses. Some people think exactly what I fear, but others are more compassionate and commend me for taking action. But like you, I more often than not hide that I have a 2nd job and do not disclose this information to my clients.
The truth is, I did not need a second job to make ends meet. I, or I guess I should say we, are incredibly fortunate and live very comfortable life. Don’t get me wrong, both my husband and myself work our tails off. Now that am am approaching the 2 year mark here at job #2 I am starting to see and feel the drawbacks. I work a lot of hours, often getting to the the office at job #2 in between 7:00am and 8:00am, take a 30 min lunch and then hit the road to one of my two offices where I see clients at 3:00pm or 3:30pm and see clients until 8:00pm. Then I drive home (on certain days this can be 30-45 min), make dinner, do dishes, pack lunches and then generally crash. Wake-up and repeat…
A schedule like this in your 30’s can be difficult to balance, and of course I must constantly remind myself to make my marriage a priority. At the end of the day, it would not mean nearly as much without my husband by my side.
However, I must practice what I preach so I CHOOSE to focus on the positive. We have health insurance (barely used, but major peace of mind), I have a 401K, short-term disability, long-term disability & life insurance policies for us both. I opt in to all of those things because we can, because the paycheck isn’t my priority, our future is. But it is nice to have some extra cash in the bank to go on vacation, get a massage or go shopping. It is where I find balance, it must be created. Something as simple as buying a new pair of shoes can make a long hectic week seem worth it. After all, what’s the point if I can’t enjoy my life at every stage.
So thank you for the inspiring words. Lately I have been struggling, often feeling overwhelmed. This post inspired me in ways you may not understand, but…THANK YOU!
I think the answer to getting ahead is very subjective. Not everyone has access to the same resources (even though the capitalist/neoliberal economic structure would have you think otherwise). The key is to not be afraid to access the resources you have at your disposal (employment centres, free financial advising, libraries, job fairs) and to forge ahead to expand your networks and resources.
It is uncomfortable for me to say this – because I know I’ll get a backlash – but part of getting ahead is pandering to nepotism (also includes alot of hard work).
That being said, getting a second job is great advice for most people, I’m just acknowledging that there are people out there where getting a second job isnt an option (mental and physical health, family obligations, bad things happen and pile up).
Im going through the stress and anxiety of not being able to support myself while working because of a relocation, so I understand. The key for me is to look and create new opportunities while maintaining a positive attitude with others. It goes a long way and people notice it.
I feel the same way.
I currently work 60hrs a week now. Pay is not great however leaving I’d make less. I have no option for a second job unless I do work 100hrs a week. Don’t have time to live life now working 60hrs.
I worked three jobs (two as teacher’s assistants) in college my Senior year while also doing my internship two nights a week, volunteering as a presidential ambassador and taking 15.5 credit hours (the year before I had no internship but volunteered once a week and took 19.5 credit hours). Because I worked my tail off (not only the jobs but I kept my GPA above a 3.5 every semester to keep a substantial academic scholarship) I was able to graduate debt free. I had less than $100 to my name, and I hadn’t been able to hang out with friends and stuff much, but I had paid up front for two bachelor’s degrees. Now I am able to live on my own and save money towards my masters degree, and I am working full time and am about to take a second job. I still have time with my boyfriend, close friends, and time to exercise and relax with a good book. Working 60+ hours a week is not as hard as it sounds, at least when you are unmarried, without kids and in your early twenties.
I’d think it wouldn’t worth to have several jobs, but instead live frugal. Having several jobs could hurt your health and your social life. Instead would be a good way spend some of your free time doing something that might generate an extra income if possible, through developing certain skills, giving private classes among others.
Live this blog work retail job 35-40 hours part time may have second job to pay off 6,000 credit card debit from moving and such, car note bills I know America struggles but having two jobs is a blessing and can still take a vacation when get it and less money problems. Thanks for blog I feel better about my job and my life god bless dude.
While in college, I worked as a Research Assistant and an on/off campus Biology tutor. My work hours averaged around 40 hours per week in addition to my full-time course load. My final GPA was not as high as I anticipated when I entered college but was still decent to get into graduate school. In grad school, I worked full-time during the day and attended class in the evenings. At that time my paycheck was just enough to cover tuition and fees so I didn’t have to accrue additional student loans (I moved back home during this time though.) I assumed that I would find a job that would pay a livable wage upon obtaining my Master’s degrees but I was sadly mistaken. I continued to work the same job as before PLUS an evening/weekend job to pay my bills when I moved into my own place. My full-time job covers the bills and the second is to cover emergencies and savings. I should consider myself lucky to have the extra income so that I don’t go further into debt but my second job is far more exhausting than my full-time job and I look forward to the day when work doesn’t feel so much like work!
βMan surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.β
Dali Lama
Love this!
I was lucky. Our parents taught us the value of saving money and a strong work ethic from preteen years. I worked 30-35 hours a week every week after high school from age 15-1/2 until I graduated high school. I was close enough (1-1/2 miles) so I could walk to work. My mom put 100% of every paycheck into a savings account. I had enough in savings to buy a beat up used car and pay my first semester in college. I worked every year full time in the college cafeteria during breakfasts, lunch and dinner. I got free meals and it paid for my car insurance and other expenses. I worked Christmas, Easter and summer breaks at the Post Office (40 hrs / wk) from 5:30 AM until 2:30PM, then worked KFC from 3PM until 11PM. All the money went into savings except for car maintenance. Didnβt have a cell phone. Grades suffered but in my Junior year, I got married and a year later had a daughter while a senior in college. Graduated and we lived in a run down cheap apartment until we could afford a very small row house in a poor neighborhood. Worked full time for the next 15 years and went to night school for a second degree in business. Seems many preteens and teens donβt know how to save money. They have big college debt as a result of not working their way through college with part time jobs and full time jobs in the summer. They piggy back on parents cell phone plans, use parentβs cars or hand-me-down cars and expect parents to pay car insurance and other expenses like cable and Netflix. They may get a job after college, but turn their noses up at getting a second job. There are superlative exceptions who work their butts off and are totally financially independent from their parents, but too many rely on mom and dad for occasional groceries, watching the grandkids or pets, or emergency expenses β¦ why β¦ because they have little to nothing in their savings account and they donβt want a second job.
When were you born? It really says something if you think you can afford full time college on a summer job and a part time job during the year.
I’m about to be a 4 and half year senior (one extra semester.) I am majoring in Sociology and Criminology at a private university in Iowa. I’m a cymbal player in the drumline in my University’s band. I’m also in its choir and I’m also in a sorority. I started out having a work study last August and have slowly been adding more jobs along the way. I currently work at my school’s game room, Walmart where I get paid 9.00 an hour, and I also work at the racetrack that is in my college town. I am currently thinking about adding another work study with my school’s security team to gain more experience in my future career field. I am trying to balance 3 jobs and being a full time student. I have a lot of credit card debt.
I also have made a stupid mistake of signing for a 2013 Dodge Avenger with my best friend…Well, she ended up not being able to sign so the title and loan are fully in my name. She has had a past in not paying people back what they are owed. I’m kinda scared that I screwed myself over. She keeps saying that the car is hers and drives it around more than I get to. I am able to get the car refinanced in December for a lower payment, where as she can get it refinanced into her name in February. If she does not pay a single penny by December. It is going to fully be my car and she will have to ask to use it. I’m graduating in December and need a car for myself. I know I made a huge mistake in signing for this car and should have never let her have the other set of keys.
I need to find a way to pay for school, credit card debt, and quite possibly the car. I am behind in schoolwork at the moment, but due to my financial situation cant give up my jobs. Can you possibly give me some advice in what to do about my situation?
I had a brand new big red truck in my name that I got for my brother and sister-in-law in 2007. They had no credit, and I had perfect credit. Well, they both got fired from their jobs and the truck got repossessed. Finally, my credit is decent now.
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I JUST turned 30 a month ago, but I worked 2 jobs for most of my 20’s (and still do!). Everyone always told me that I was crazy, but I have been on 5 cruises, San Francisco, LA, New York (4 times), Salt Lake City, and Toronto to visit friends for fun! I worked full-time at a bank and as an office manager during my 20’s. I spent my nights and weekends working at Mcdonalds, UPS, or a coffee shop the entire time. I maxed out my 401K with my day job, but it was important for me to visit my friends in these cities. I also really wanted braces and needed $5,000 for those! I am currently working as an accountant and plan to start my own bookkeeping side-business soon. I think I will enjoy having my own business as my part-time job more than working for $10 as a barista!
I have to agree with whoever said that second jobs can provide the best networking opportunities! I thought the bank was going to get me the accounting job I longed for, but it was a customer who came into the coffee shop! She was a controller at a firm and hired me! I don’t regret how I spent my 20’s because I finished my BBA in Accounting, had my braces on for 3 years, took a lot of vacations, started my accounting job, and added tons of contacts on Linked In. Meeting so many people was something I obviously couldn’t have done staying at home.
I would recommend anyone in their 20’s without children to get out there at pick-up a second job. Find one that you will enjoy! Coffee shop, YMCA, book store, or your own business. Make sure you learn you customer’s names, develop those relationships and add them on Linked In! You never know how these connections will help you in the future!
I love this post!!!! I couldn’t agree with you more. I decided to do the same thing and just focused even more on the things outside of my full time job until I started to earn more than my full time job. Here I am a few years later and doing what I love and met my closest friends in the process. It is quite a freeing feeling and quite a bit more fulfilling than punching a clock and trying to save your way to financial freedom. It’s just not realistic!
love your post! You inspire me!
I have worked two jobs for 15 years. People always ask, “How can you do that?” The truth is, I want to retire. I want to own my home. I want to be practically debt free and I want to retire when I’m still healthy. I am still single, am working on paying off my home and my ‘regular’ job just gave me a hefty promotion. Now the question I’m getting is, “Will you quit your 2nd job?” My answer is, “No Way!” I earn a lot of money working in a commissioned sales position (nights and weekends). Plus, they have a 401K match and a pension after 5 years of work! Those benefits would last the rest of my life.
People aren’t money smart, they’re wrapped up in what use to be available to us as American workers – pension plans and good retirement. That doesn’t exist anymore for most of us. We have to start working to protect ourselves from financial insecurity!!
Sher
Its so hard to read all of these. I worked part time all through college, and then several part time jobs after college because I couldn’t land a full time one for quite a while. Now I am 29, working as an office manager/admin making 30k a year…living in the Seattle area, which is crazy expensive ( but where I am from, and where my family is) I have little saved up because of my low salary.
I feel exhausted after working 8 to 5 on weekdays….but alas, I have tried taking on a second job evenings and weekends. This has meant little time for exercise, or any kind of a relationship. I realize most people are able to work multiple jobs, but I am just beside myself spending all my time at work hoping that I can somehow meet someone and have a family before I am too old to have kids….I don’t feel like I will ever be able to afford it. I have neither time nor money…How do all you with multiple jobs have time to find a partner and start a family?
Forgot to mention, I am female…so I will probably need to start having kids by age 35 if i want to do that….
I started working a second job when I started a full-time internship after graduate school. The internship was paid, but it was minimal so I started working at a high end retailer for the Holiday season. Next thing I knew holiday was over, but the retailer still wanted to keep me on. From there I learned the value of extra income. Through all the new jobs/promotions, etc…ive consistently kept a retail job.
There is stigma attached to working a second job. I often wonder, “Do people think Im broke or struggling because I work a second job?” When in actuality the second job has been my source of “free” income. I never count the income from my second job in my monthly budget. Its just an extra $300 or so a month that I spend on whatever I want.
There are drawbacks to second jobs including loss of free time and also the tax issue. For me, I always monitor the income I make from my second job to make sure it doesnt push me into another tax bracket and to see how much my tax liability is increased. When you pay taxes from a PT job making $10/hr or so, the taxes taken out are minimal, but when you add your annual income from your PT job to the income from your FT job, it might increase your overall tax liability.
I love this post when I found your blog over 1 1/2 year ago I decided to get a part time job to pay down my 5k worth of credit card debt. That may not seem like a lot to most, but I went to a private college out of state came out with 100k worth of school loans, my full time job pays only 37k about half of that going toward student loan payments and at 27 still live with parents. I wanted to better myself and have now that I paid off my credit card debt and started my 401k I am proud of these small accomplishments but I want to do more. As of now I’m applying for new jobs and hopefully if I acquire one so I will be able to quit my part time job. It is scary with the economy the way it is but I can’t let that stop me from trying to achieve financial stability. Thanks for all of your virtual help and encouragement along the way!!
Thanks for writing this post, I just started a second full-time job, My day job is where I want to be, but my graveyard job in the social services sector is something I am extremely great at. I’m 26 and need badly to get out of student debt. This made me not feel crazy, which is amazing!!
Yes, it sounds sad but its reality. One must have to work so much to get just enough these days. You gotta have guts, you gotta be wiser and hardworking to meet with the requirements of the present living.
oh and i exercise every day to stay healthy, and have a good balanced diet
I’m 20 years old going on 21. i work two jobs. i work usually between 30 and 40 hours at my security job of which im paid $10 per hour. back when i first got it in april of this year i put in usually between 60 and 80 hours a week for like two and a half months. of course i was stupid and spent most of that money instead of saving it, so i should have a lot more in the bank than i do now. now i make about $250 a week which could be better, but im living at home so all i pay is my phone bill, car insurance and water. my other job of which i’ve been employed for three years is a gas attendant. i make about $8.50 an hour, and get about between 10 and 15 hours a week. i put that money towards filling my truck up every week on payday and keeping the rest which isnt a whole lot for myself. i put the money i make at my security guard job in my savings, and paying off bills about once a month. so i’d say i’m doing alright. i’m still putting in applications to other places which i would make better money and i’m attending college part time. so i won’t have trouble with college loans and debt. i have to say having two jobs makes life better overall. i’m young and single, why not?
This is a very good blog. I’m 26, and work two jobs. The part time I used to put more hours into, but as my life got busier I had less time for it. I work about an additional 3.5 hrs there after my full time job during the week. I have had my full time job for about 3 years now, and my part time 2 years and 8 months. It has helped me generate about an extra 12k in that time. It helped me purchase a house in Southeast PA as well. That was the key thing. I will now need to save that money for a wedding.
The part time place I usually work Tuesdays and Wednesdays now. If I can’t make either day or want to switch my schedule around, it’s no problem to them at all. I enjoy the job at times as well being that it’s talking about one of my passions, cars.
I think it’s good when you are young to earn the extra income and work towards saving for a particular goal. I would get another one as well if I could.
I’ve worked multiple jobs before. It’s a good source of income and it’s also so much more stable, because if you lose one, then it’s not as devastating. Now, I freelance, do some online work, and blog, which brings in income. I also have a babysitting gig and work my career. So I’m busy but at least if I lose one of them, I’ll be covered while I look for a replacement.
I had to start freelancing in order to pay off my debt. I got out of college with $50k in credit card debt. The only way out was to work my full time job and pick up freelancing on the side. While it worked, it took a toll on me and my wife.
If you would go for multiple jobs, i think you would consider the volume of your workload. I think side business would be good too.
More like…”Why you SHOULDN’T work two jobs.” I have personally spoken face to face with people that work multiple jobs. I asked them how much sleep they get, and it’s not very much. So if you’re willing to compromise your sleep and health for money,then go ahead,but it’s definitely not worth it.
The only way for anyone to get ahead these days is to have more than one job
I’m 24 college graduate working a full time job and going to grad school full time at night to get my masters. I make 45k a yr which is after taxes $2,800 a month. I’m going to share my expenses with you. Rent for 1 bedroom apt. is $970. (Cheapest in the area) Utilities, cable, and internet is $300. Phone bill, car insurance, etc. $380. Health insurance $150. I save $500 which leaves me with $500 to live off of. $200 of that goes to gas $200 goes to groceries or eating out and I have $100 left over for spending money which is only $25 a week. I would work a second job if I could but my job requires my full time effort, because I travel a lot, and work weekends sometimes, and I’m always on call. I’m living paycheck to paycheck I’m fortunate I can save $500 a month but it’s still very hard. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing theres light at the end of the tunnel when I finish my masters. I’m expecting at least a 10k increase.
I have always had the mindset that I wanted to earn extra income outside of my full-time job. I never had a traditional PT job, but I did find ways to make extra money. My wife and I started as Beachbody Coaches 2 years ago and not our income has tripled and I am retired. I also purchased a lucrative income property as another form of income. We are thankful for the hard work that we put into our PT job because now we can have the financial freedom to travel and I can be a huge part in my son’s life from now on. How much is that worth?? Exactly.
I’m in the process of getting a 2nd job. I plan on saving up for a car and then continue to save. I currently have a car, but I’m either going to sell it once it’s paid off or give it to my brother once he starts driving. π
David-
I happen to be one of those 20-somethings that is barely getting by and IS money conscious. My husband is disabled, and I’m working three jobs to make ends meet. My primary job is an account executive (snazzy title for sales rep) Monday through Friday 8 to 5. I also work part time in retail in a department store (20 hours a week) and sell AVON.
I work approximately 60 hours a week now, and my husband and I still have to resort to savings. (Luckily we have some, but I fear we will run out before I can finally get ahead on the money issue.)
Unfortunately, I do feel the stigma of working two jobs, but it’s a small price to pay to keep providing for my husband and myself. That is what really matters.
I just finished my MBA last summer, so I am hoping in time I can find a better job that pays more than my three jobs combined! And… I think it’s amazing you can make money by blogging. My undergrad work is in Journalism, and blogging would be right up my alley!
I enjoyed your post, and I look forward to reading more!
-Nicole
I’ve always heard the warnings of an emergency fund, but I never started one. I am 28 y/o, have a Master’s degree, and currently work in public service. I gross $33,800/ year. I am single and have no kids, (though I do have a dog). My eyes were opened to a second job when an emergency vet bill in the amount of $173 completely wreaked havoc on my monthly budget. Though I make enough (barely) to pay the monthly bills, that’s all I had been doing. Any emergency or unplanned expense and I was in the hole. I could forget about trips or vacations. Even dinner out with friends is a rare thing. My situation is partly my fault (i.e., getting an almost new used car with an outrageous monthly payment). My puppy, though I love her to pieces, was a gift and the expenses are an added burden. My gas budget for the month has skyrocketed because I go home on lunch to play with and let the puppy out. Thankfully, I work for the school system and have summers and many other days/weeks off. I am working at a fast food restaurant that I managed at when I was in college. Though I was worried about what people would think when they saw me working there again. I have summed it up to this: money is money. With rent, and two student loan bills, I am glad to have the extra. I only plan to work the second job for a year, and I am sure to take time off to rest. The biggest relationship that suffers is with my puppy, as my boyfriend is understanding. I have goals in place, and when I reach them, I will be able to walk away from the second job. Hopefully, a raise is somewhere in my future!
Life is a balancing act and the key to staying balanced: moderation in everything. Do not work so much that your health and relationships suffer…life is too short and we only get one shot. Enjoy loved ones, enjoy vacations, enjoy a night out and a day totally free of responsibility. How many older folks’ regrets include “not working enough.” However, a little extra hard work isn’t a bad thing. If having a second job can significantly relieve some financial stress, significantly increase savings and/or decrease debt, or simply allow more easily for some of life’s “extras” like trips, dinner and drinks, a ‘toy’ etc….by all means 10-15 hours a week to do so is well worth it. Just pick a second job that you love, like or at the very least don’t hate. Picking blogging if you enjoy writing, picking serving/bartending if you like socializing, picking construction if you like building, picking coaching if you enjoy sports…this will make your second job not only bearable, but fun AND it will be a lot easier being away from your friends and family, working, if you don’t mind what you are doing. Stigmas will be attached, but stigmas are always attached. It is in the nature of people to judge but intelligent, hard-working people will find any stigma easy to ignore. As long as you balance your time, committments, and efforts to the very best of your ability, the people you truly care about will understand and appreciate your dedication to making not only your life, but even their lives better. I am 26, married, I work full time for a non-profit organization and I am a server a night or two a week. I work hard but I play hard too. I encourage anyone to do the same. Just do it wisely, do it in moderation, and keep reading this blog:)
Currently 20 years old freshman in college. I work a full time job, while currently seeking a second job to save to pursue my real estate investment dreams. It seems as if even applying for Mcdonalds is tough these days. I guess being at the bottom of the tad-pole along with others who have no strong educational background, makes competition that much harder. However I’m definitively willing to sacrifice the partying and girls to pursue my goals for better long term stability.
Ive been working grueling hours and its infinite.
Ive been workin 2 jobs off and on for over 8 years. I save more and my bills r never behind. I always have extra for weekends. The downside is i dont get 2 c my wife and kids much. But being able to take care of out needs is a wonderful feeling. As long as i can avoid my wants and habits. lol. Thanks for this post, its motivation.
I think this is good sound advice for those in their 20s. I worked three jobs while in my 20s while teaching. I had a part-time retail job seasonally (working at the highest earning store in the country) and which turned into more than seasonally when time progressed. At first, I got the job to pay for vacations and drinks with friends. I also worked summer school out of LUCK from a good district. When I lost my “first” job, the manager at the retail location asked me about becoming a manager. I knew that managers made 40K and I could live on that. However, at the time I was interviewing for a new job and landed it. That did not mean that I gave up my 2nd job.
My only regrets has been on my health and love life. I feel that I let myself go and didn’t concentrate on finding someone special. Now that I just turned 30 and all my friends are healthier than me and married.
In the long run, was it worth it? I own a condo, but my friends now own condos also but now are married with double incomes. I took the summer off this summer to focus on my health.
I’m certainly starting to see what you mean about both love life and maintaining your health. I have less and less time to go out on dates or go to the gym because I’ve been working 60+ hours a week. Working that much makes me tired and I lack motivation to be social or active because I just want to relax.
Don’t second guess yourself, you made your own path and did it yourself, take satisfaction from that. Your friends got married and you didn’t, that does not mean that You have fallen short. Marriages are just like people no two are the same and some are great while others are terrible. Your life is not over and You have made no great mistakes. LOVE finds us in it own time, your strong and self reliant as I am and I have no regrets for not trying to fit the mold and niether should You. I hope that your health improves but you should not blame yourself for that either. Being lazy is far more detrimental to a persons health than working hard, so we are all trying to dodge bad health in one way or another.
I constantly worked more than one job – for as long as I can remember!
I am not in the demographic of this blog anymore, but in the 90s I was – I was in school doing a BS and tutoring on the side. I worked in convenience stores when I couldn’t find anything. After graduating I continued to do this. I’d get off the main job at 4:30, drive home, shower, and be at job number 2 until 12AM – did that 4 days a week and always worked weekends. This blog entry made me consider that I have constantly sought extra work – even in graduate school I taught part time and repaired computers on the side. Even after grad school as a uni instructor I got paid editing gigs online – still going and turned that into a small business.
I am retiring at 48 – in a few years. However, I am not sure I’ll be able to handle doing nothing. I don’t know how.
I know there is a benefit for multiple streams of income, especially in a time when so many people are losing their only source of income, their job. However, I still feel that one quality job in a career that pays relatively well and that you enjoy, is the way to go. Though I blog on the side and receive a steady stream of “passive” income. I quote passive since I still put a lot of work into writing articles, but I do make money when I sleep….and I dont have to sacrifice the benefits of my primary job.
I am 23 y/o with a college degree, a month long excursion in Europe under my belt, and the experience of 10 months into the full-time job realm. I work for a non-profit in development, so if that doesn’t speak for itself- I NEED a second job to SAVE. I’ve waited tables since my 3rd year in college, and, basically, I’ve never stopped. My “night time” job is a complete opposite (in environment, cash flow, and energy requirement) from my “desk job,” and I love BOTH. My fundraising job allows me to meet plenty of other professionals for great connections in town as well as provide plenty of materials for my resume and portfolio, should I decide to venture in the future. Waiting tables allows me to kick back, socialize, let a little loose, (and did I mention add $1000 a month to my income?) one or two nights out of the week. Needless to say, as I build my savings and start my IRA account, I will be sticking to this lifestyle for a few more years. As long as I save some time for some rest and an after party here and there, my life is as balanced as ever.
23 years old and only 10 months of full time work?
I am 25, have been working full time for 8 years, and part time for 13 years! And I have a house, two cars, and all the stuff that goes with it. I guess that is why I work 70 hours a week! Plus, I like to spoil my daughter, and my wife. Working a second job is great if you can swing it, and it allows you to “network”. However, my fulltime job is night shifts, and my part time job is retail. My co-workers think retail would suck, but it actually pays decently, considering I pretty much just get to stand around and watch people shop, and visit with them ( I am a salesman on the side).
Hey Matt I was wondering if you would be able to e-mail me with some advice regarding your lifestyle and working two jobs!
I am 21 and I have just been offered two jobs. The support work job is 10-30 hours a week, varying shifts but mostly night shift. The other is just 10 hours a week at Currys mainly at evenings and weekends.
I’d like to be able to work both jobs but not sure if this the employers will like it! I love working though… but what if they both ask me to work at the same time? Not sure how to work this?
Advice please?
Thanks
Just find out what hours both places would like you to work. I work in retail and almost everyone has another job or is in school. Usually people do one of a few strategies:
1) Tell one employer they can work for them M-Th, and the other F-Sun, or something like that. Or one gets you in the morning, the other in the evening.
2) Find out when they make their schedules. At one point, I worked at two stores next door to each other. One made their schedule a few days before the other, so I’d just show my boss the first store’s schedule, and he’d work me in when I was free.
Sometimes it doesn’t work, but you’ll find most retail workers are in school or working multiple jobs. It’s normal. Just be responsible and upfront, and your managers will probably work it out (or at least have the decency to tell you it won’t work.)
Also, at my store, we need people during certain times of the day/week (say, Thursday mornings), since most of the employees are unavailable then. So we’d give preference to an applicant who was available then. If he or she was available then, we’d probably be fine with it if they needed to be somewhere else on the weekends, when everyone is free. Every business is different.
Working multiple jobs is always essential. Young people I don’t think will ever fully realize how fast your 20s will roll by, then your 30s, then your… 40s? Yeah. Plus, what would you rather do… Sit in your house every day all day? Or, be out, making friends and making money. I’d prefer the latter if you ask me!
no college degree here…salary is 69k yr
I would like to offer up another alternative to the second job scenario. This whole thread reminds me of a Jim Rohn quote “formal education will make you a living, self education will make you a fortune”. From the post and the comments above, I think the standard education is even falling short on providing enough for a living, otherwise why would you need the second, third and fourth jobs? I started learning how money works in my 20’s and still think the best investment I can make is an investment in myself. I regularly seek out mentors who can show me how they broke out of the rat race and got ahead. Doing what the masses are doing, will leave you with what the masses have. Investing in yourself and learning wealth skills, is the only way to freedom.
Best of Success,
Dan Giercke
A Mentored Life
I volunteer and that is essentially a “second job” without the pay! I would say to avoid burnout, make sure it is sufficiently different from your primary position. So for example I would never work a second desk job, but working in a cafe or fitness class a few extra hours a week would be welcome if I could make it work with my commute. I know plenty of women who teach yoga in addition to their regular jobs.
A second job is great, but it really burns people out… I wonder how the quality of life goes. BUT, I’m all for working for yourself. If you can set your own hours, and have that level of flexiblity, it seems to work pretty well. (granted, you’re probably working more hours than you would at a traditional second job, but its more rewarding in my opinion)
I am a 28 y/o Master of Science who just took on a second job. I am a School District Speech Language Pathologist by day (8:15-2:45pm-although I can never actually LEAVE at 2:45 due to lesson planning and what not) and a Home Health Speech Language Pathologist by night (3:00pm to 5:00pm). The pay for school district’s is decent (starting $50k) but Home Health pays $75/hour which makes for great additional income (full-timers do VERY well considering they can set their own hours). The BEST part is that in the summers when I am not working at the school but still getting paid, I have the potential to make double my income as I am able to increase my Home Health hours. One day I would probably consider going full time with Home Health but in the mean time, having these two jobs helps considerably with my family’s expenses (still figuring out how to manage a budget with a mortgage). I see the light…once we are set with our budget and have our emergency fund solid, we can really start tackling our debt! And with my student loans…there is plenty. I’m trying to get husband on board with the 2nd job thing while our baby is still young and we have CHEAP childcare ($60/week thanks to my mother in law). I am also in the process of developing a business with a couple of friends so if that takes off-even better. Anyhow, I see no shame in double-jobbing!! People do what they have to do.
I used to work, and still working 2 different jobs, If i ever feel like one is giving me hard time i quit it for a while.
It`s not easy to be committed for 2 works, but if you don`t have the financial support thats what you gotta do for you, for your family, and even friends.
Although more suitable for people under 30, we can see many people above 30 that still work 2 jobs, but thats only cause they didn`t manage to organize in their life, too many kids, and so on.
While learning for diploma, it is only fair to afford it via 2 jobs or more (if can manage the pressure).
I’m a Civil Engineer in Anchorage, Alaska, and I’m 28 y/o, I graduated from college at 23. My salary income is about 72,000. The cost of living up here is really extreme, but I chose to come back because of the high pay that goes with (I believed that with internet orders and more and more big box retailers, eventually the prices would start to be more comparable anyway). I am managing to put money away into a 401K, and have about half my annual income so far. However, I have no emergency fund and no other savings at all. I live virtually paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. I’m new to this finance blog, so I’m still figuring things out, and trying to get things in order. A second job would help, a lot. However, I already work 60 hrs/wk, sometimes more, at my salaried position, and my employer has a clause prohibiting working a second job without having approval first. I haven’t asked, because I already work 60 hr/wk most weeks and am worn out by the time I’m done.
I will say, as someone from ‘the outside,’ just starting to dig out, hearing about how well others my age are doing doesn’t motivate me, but shun me away. From where I stand this is an insurmountable task in front of me. Money worries have plagued me. At the very worst of it, I stopped checking the mail because I knew it was all collections and bills I couldn’t afford anymore, and notices from the bank that I was over drawn or that something else had bounced. It was easier to pretend it didn’t exist so that I could at least allow myself to go buy food and put gas in my car so I could at least keep going to work.
Those days are past now. I am watching my credit score recover, and paying off debts from the worst of it. I am almost to the point where I can start saving instead of paying off money I owed from when I was in so much trouble. Now I see my younger friends falling into the same pit holes I did, and seeing that same insurmountable task in front of them. Like me, they’re not having a problem with credit cards, but just making rent, insurance, and a car payment, and working outside of their degrees because that’s all they can do right now (no entry level positions because it’s easier to hire someone with 10 years experience from the lower 48).
It’s not that it’s impossible to be doing well for ourselves at this age, but that it feels that way to people in a bad situation. Sometimes, all you can do is not think about it and try to keep living, and hope that somehow, it will work out.
As an engineer with 5 years experience working 60 hours a week $72,000 isn’t a very exciting salary, and in Alaska I think it means you are under-paid. I would start looking for an employer that will treat you better.
I am confused by your posting. In the pat were you doing poorly and now are doing much better?
Engineer shout out!!! I understand how Engineers are underpaid, regardless of where the job is! That’s why I started to search for something I could earn extra with and be passionate about.
I love this post. I am 26 and work 40-45 hours per week at a full time job, and 15 hours per week as a restaurant hostess. I donβt need the 2nd job to make ends meet and pay bills. Rather, I am putting my restaurant paychecks in the bank and using them to help me meet various savings goals (a living room set for my new condo, paying down a credit card with a $2000 balance, and saving for a wedding). My checks are very predictable, so I am able to map out exactly when each of my goals be accomplished
Working the second job allows me to save for these things without paring my budget down to the point where I have zero spending money and can never purchase anything for myself. Donβt get me wrong β I live very modestly. But I like knowing that spending $20 every week or two to get drinks with friends, or buying myself a new outfit here and there, isnβt cutting into my savings progress.
It is hard to work two jobs sometimes, and most of my friends donβt understand why I do it. Sometimes I even second guess myself and contemplate quitting. When I read posts like this, it reminds me of why I wanted to do this in the first place β doing this for a couple of years will allow me to save money that I wouldnβt normally be able to save, and will help me stay away from credit cards and loans for future purchases. Thanks for reminding me that I am not crazy!!!
I have been working a 2nd job for about 6 months now. My full time job hours can fluctuate and are often be more than 40 hours a week, working 16-24 hours on top of that requires a lot of dedication. I’m fortunate that I don’t need the 2nd job, like others may need 2nd, 3rd, 4th jobs, but doesn’t make it any easier. The income is being used to save for a down payment for a house (unless I wanted to wait longer to buy with the single income) Though I have cut my expenses, your current salary can only reach a certain budgetary goal when it can.
What an article and what a story. The truth is that you don’t really need a second, third or God forbid, fourth job. Listen up. What you need to do is take a look at your expenditure and decide where you need to trim some fat off.
The problem is not your income. It is your expenses. You might get by right now that you are young working four jobs but as you get older, you might not be able to do so and if you haven’t learned how to save and live within your means, you will have a problem.
She pays over $1400 on rent alone every month…can she find a cheaper rent even if it is not in her favorite part of town? Is there anything else she can do to cut down on her expenses?
I would say that living where she does allows her to do all of these jobs. These are particularly NYC-type jobs (Spinning Instructor, Actress, Dance Instructor) that she wouldn’t have opportunities for in other places. Regarding neighborhood, if she had to spend more time commuting, she wouldn’t have time to make it to all of these commitments. And you can hardly say that a 290 SQ FT studio is living extravagently!
I agree. At first, I thought that was a waste too, but then I thought about my visits to NYC. Those jobs are not in high demand elsewhere, and she’d waste a lot of time commuting if she lived in another part of town. Plus, that rent is high, but it sounds pretty normal for what I know of NYC. (I think about moving there sometimes, and I read a lot about apartments there.) Plus, what she makes isn’t tons of money anyway. She could probably drop one or two of the jobs if she lived elsewhere, but would she get acting gigs? Less likely. Would she waste tons of time commuting? Yes, and time is valuable!
You’re really imposing a pretty specific set of values by saying that she ‘doesn’t need’ to focus on earning more, and ‘does need’ to focus on spending less.
It is okay to want more, as long as you’re willing to earn if. If your own preference is leisure time over things you can buy, earning less and spending less may be the way to go. There’s no reason for everyone to make the same decision as you in this matter — diversity of life approaches makes a society more resilient, not less so.
Nicole – regarding “over qualified” perhaps you need to tailor your resume more to each job, and not disclose all education and experience. I hire in a university setting and do tend to steer away from those with “too much” education for a position, but am surprised when people feel their resume must be a complete audit of their past, instead of just a sales pitch of what they could bring to the position.
Gordon D – that’s a good point, but I am not sure if that works on straight online applications for companies like Lowe’s, Macy’s, and other chain stores (like the ones I previously applied for). A good portion of those never ask for a resume, just for you to fill out information like “what is the highest degree you have earned,” etc. Even with my previous customer service experience, I got turned down a lot. It worked out in the end because I did end up finding a full-time job in my field, but now that I am contemplating a part-time second job I have a feeling it will be just as hard. Plus, the time constraints of my full-time. That’s why I would like to find something that could maybe be done from home, but most sites you find are scams.
I really like this idea, but I have two problems that may prevent me from being able to do a part-time job. The first is my full-time job. I work for a state representative, which means that there are some evenings/weekends I may need to be available to attend events. Also, we spend January to March in our capital city for session. The second problem is that before I got my full-time job, I was applying all over the place just trying to get a job, and most places that I would think might be flexible enough didn’t hire me before because I was “over qualified.” What are some good at-home, flexible type jobs that can be done part-time?
Nicole,
I believe one of Andrew’s main points was that IF you can swing a 2nd job-it’s a good idea. Sounds like you can’t because of your time constraints so no need to stress over it! π It will all work out in the end.
I have had similar objections from employers. So while it is important to give a complete education and work history you should only expound on experience that would be in accordance with the part time work which you are applying for. A well written cover letter stating why you are seeking part time employment would also help with such objections. A LOT of employers would be happy to benefit from smart qualified help if they understand what has brought you their way. I hope this helps.
Nicole, That’s great, but you are right! There are tons of perfect options depending on what your interests are. You can create your own hours and do something that you love instead of being paid “by the hour”.
I recently picked up a second job to compete with some of my peers. I work a full time job as a computer forensic analyst; however, most of my peers working in similar companies with the same experience make 15k more than I do. I decided while I’m finishing my Masters degree to pick up a weekend job bartending/waiting and it’s certainly worked out. I can now bank my entire full-time job check.
If I’m working multiple jobs? YES!!!
If the economic situation is bad for persons that grew up in this country, that went to college in this country now imagine my situation.
I graduated from one of the best colleges from whole Latin America, I’m from Mexico and I just moved to live to the U.S.A 3 years ago.
It seems that being Mexican is something against me, PEOPLE PLEASE STOP THINKING THAT ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY IS THE BEST COLLEGES, THE BEST COMPANIES,, ETC, ETC… Even if I have a college degree I haven’t being able to get a great job, I’m the kind of person that likes to work and meanwhile I work part time for walgreens as customer service assistant, part time as nanny, part time Spanish tutor, part time filling out surveys online, part time as a nanny on-call,, I don’t complain about my economic situation because thank God I still have money to think about traveling, but to be honest I fell really bad because I didn’t go to college to do this kind of jobs, sometimes I feel like a completely looser, and what bothers me more is seen people that barely speak the language and have great jobs, great cars and worse they can’t even know how to drive,, so all what I ask you is please stop thinking that only the persons that come from Asia or India are better than the other ones that come from other countries around the world. It doesn’t mean that because most of the Latins that are living in this country are only worth to do the nanny jobs, waitress, gardening, etc.,, and for those that we have a college degree give us the opportunity to demonstrate that YES we are capable of doing a great job.
THANK YOU π
It’s going to be difficult for you to improve your career prospects in the United States until you improve your English language skills. This posting is barely readable, full of spelling mistakes, incorrect punctuation and grammatical errors. If this is the way you present yourself in the work world, you’ll be at Walgreens for a very long time.
Yes there were spelling and grammatical errors but they were no worse than several of my American-Born Anglo peers in my master’s program nor are they worse than the errors committed by some of my now co-workers. You were just nit-picking. This woman is doing great, having been here 3 years. Keep it up, Mariana!
What Mandy Cat said was right but the end part, “If this is the way you present yourself in the work world, you’ll be at Walgreens for a very long time. That was really nasty.
Wow Mariana, jealous much? You are asking people to not judge you based on your Mexican heritage, yet you are judgmental towards Indians and Asians. In my professional experience, I have found that the typical Indian or Asian to be more qualified than a Mexican in every way. Get over yourself.
No, she said that many native-born Americans assume only Asians (including Indians) are qualified. As for your comment about who is better qualified… wow. Individuals are individuals.
Mariana,
Do not get discourage, I am from Mexico too and the truth it does not matter what our race or cultural background is; if we do what we really enjoy we can make a difference among the people around us.
By the way, I supervise people from Asia, Europe and US. They are great and talented people and they respect me (a Mexican person) because I see their talents, hard work and commitment but overall I respect them.Do not believe what some people replied to you. Mexicans, Asians, American people we are all the same and could reach the same oportunities.
I also hope you can get a better opportunity and start using your talents.
I’m so excited to read that you both blog and work a full-time job AND that you like it that way. As my personal coaching business has grown into a successful, fantastic business I find myself wanting that stable steadiness that a day job provides and am re-entering a full-time position again. I know it’s the best decision for me, but still it’s fantastic to hear that someone else is doing the same thing.
That’s great that you are still successful though! You should consider focusing more on your personal coaching though, so you can create the stability, right??
Great article! Could’nt agree more on the second job if time allows it. I would never suggest anyone to get a second job when in school though (focus on education!!). I was a teaching assitant when I went to university for my masters. I had to do it to get a tuition waiver but my in-state was what was racking up my debt. For a semester I was working on my thesis (no classes) and I took up a pizza delivery job. Had to work about 20 hours as TA in school, 20 hours at pizza place and the rest on my thesis. Unfortunately I could’nt party hard and enjoy my college days. After I graduated I had no job (IT industry in 2003 :-)) so I started working at a nearby gas station to get by my expenses and make minimum payments on the debt. This really helped me not fall off the bandwagon.
Thankfully, I found a job within six months in my field of study and I was debt free a couple of years later. I was ridiculed for working in a gas station with a masters degree but I’d laugh it off. I guess that’s the tradeoff I made. Not to say I did not have my share of fun…but how much is too much??
I can’t believe you really think people at 25 can have five figure IRA! What the heck they just finished college.
Maybe at 30.
I have a 5 figured IRA and I’m 25. It’s hardly impossible. Five figured IRA simply means I put my max into my 401k (16.5k) and had 5k left over for my IRA two years in a row. With interest and good stock picks (picked up Tesla at 21 and Apple at 250), I’m up to roughly 14k in my IRA.
I had a 5-figure IRA at 25. I’m 27 now and have almost a year’s salary in retirement accounts. Granted, a year’s salary for me isn’t even $30000, but it’s certainly doable. I just took all the overtime I could get at my first job (usually only 5 or so hours a week) and put all the extra money from that, tax refunds, etc. straight into the Roth IRA. Hooray for the Saver’s Credit.
It’s actually not that inconceivable. I don’t make a high base salary by any means (just $39,000 now, and that wasn’t what I started with). I work a large amount of overtime which benefits me both financially and at my job to gain more recognition for hard work, more knowledge, and a better path towards promotions in the future (it even resulted in a bonus recognizing the hard work). Last year I obtained nearly $6000 in overtime and I’ve already surpassed that this year already.
When I first got out of college 2 years ago at 21, I was responsible with money but didn’t really grasp saving as much as I should have and spent a great deal of my overtime on pointless purchases. I didn’t accummulate debt and I saved but not at the rate I should have. This year, I decided to raise my 401k contributions and IRA (ironically after I first started reading this blog) as well and pay more careful attention to what I’m spending (while still making sure I enjoyed life). I believe I’m on my way towards being a 25 year old with 5 figures in my IRA. You don’t have to be rolling in the riches (I know I’m not) to be a smart saver and you’ll still be able to live a great life as well.
I agree…it’s not impossible…when I started with the military at 22, I automatically sacked 5% off the top into our 401K equivalent, and every year I got a longevity raise, I upped my contributions by that monthly equivalent. I hit 5 figures by the time I was 26 (the ’08 crash really hurt me, but it’s finally back up). I don’t max that account because no one matches my contributions, but I max a Roth for the tax advantages. Between those 2 accounts, I have over a year’s salary socked away at this point (27). AND I’ve been “lucky” enough with the high deployment tempo that I’ve FINALLY got 6 months’ salary in an emergency account. Even though they pay us in peanuts, those peanuts add up when you live in the desert with no option to eat out, buy new shoes, or go to the movies.
I am 24 and my Roth 401k is currently worth $70,000. It will be fairly close by time I turn 25. It is very possible. I max out my 401 every year and with my company match it equals about 20,000 going into my acct each year. You just have to be dedicated and make sure when you get a raise you add a good portion into your 401 or Ira until it is maxed
I’m 25, exactly one year into my first year of a career type full time employment position and I (although barely) did put together a 5 figure 401K. Base of $65k. I agree with David that having the money come out automatically is the best way. (I sort of forgot about the contributions until after one quarter I got a letter in the mail reporting how the 401K was doing).
I don’t see any reason why this isn’t possible. You SHOULD be paying yourself!
My first thought is – don’t get into a rut with the 2nd job. I started an evening advising job years ago right across the street from my day job to solve a short term financial crisis. But we adjusted our lifestyle ever so slightly due to the good cash. One evening became two evenings a week. Seven years later I was still at it, but it wasn’t until we moved cities and I was forced to give it up that I realized how bored to tears I was with it. Perhaps that problem’s independent of one job or two. My point is, make the 2nd or 3rd job cash for the extras like debt retirement or saving, unless you’re really happy with it longer term.
I’m 2 y/o. College degree. I have a job relative to my college degree, making about $50k in Denver. Bought house, manage a mortgage, live with a housemate for extra income and have a retirement fund over $40k. I’m doing decent. I think.
But, I never really have money left over to (a) pay myself or (b) contribue to an investment account. Almost all of my investment money is qualified.
I enjoy my job but I coach swimming and rowing on the side. It brings in about $2k for a summer season (june – august) where I coach 10/hours a week (4 days + 1 meet)… That $2k goes to paying down debt, savings account or investing. Rowing coach is 1x week, 4 hours at $20/hr.
I figured that I’m 27 and have no family commitments (ie, kids). Working a PT job is better than working a PT job when I have more responsibilities. you know? I especially love my PT job because it’s seasonal and gives me a break in between seasons π
I think everyone should find extra income π
oops, meant 27.. not 2 .. haha
NancyO I agree! You are doing something that you love and making a little extra on the side. What’s not to like about that??? When you ask yourself, should I watch 4 hours of Netflix tonight or build my own dream, the answer becomes pretty obvious.