Getting a second job

[scrapquitler]

I worked a second job for a couple years when we first got married. Hubby worked a job with a bunch of travel and long hours, and I got bored at home alone. I worked in a bank and was done at work at 4 3 days a week, and 5 the other days, so I kept up my college summer job at a convenience store and I worked 5 or 6 to 11pm a couple nights a week, and usually a 6 hour shift on Sunday while he watched sports. 15-20 hours a week helped us put a good dent in our student loans and I wasn't bored, but it was flexible enough thanks to a great boss that it didn't keep me from having a life.

That said, if I'd had kids, I never would have done it unless we desperately needed the money to keep food on the table and a roof over us.

 

[LovesTimone]

I have worked 2 or 3 jobs at a time in the past, when my daughter was little. It was hard and I missed out a few things. But keeping a roof over our heads, food on the table, private school to pay for ( which is one of the best investment I made for her) and trips to Disney for us was necessary. Was worth it... For me yes. I was lucky my parents were very involved in her life and helped me a great deal. So no day care, she was always in the best hands possible. This was when I was a single parent.

I had a full time job as a department store manager, I also took a job waiting tables at a family owned restaurant ( they worked with my schedule), I worked 1 to 3 nights a week and made great tips, I learned how to bartend while I was there, and would work in the bar which the tips were even better, which lead to me working for another company(on call) that worked at large events, corporate parties, weddings, private parties, country club and golf events. The money was unbelievable when I say unbelievable I would leave a event with anywhere from 500.00 to 700.00 for one night, and afforded me to be able to save some money and get ahead.

Was it hard, yes..!!! sometimes I did not know if I was coming or going. I suggest you start out getting a holiday job, Kohl's, Macy's, or another department store, they are normally willing to work with you, with extended holiday hours and such. Or maybe get a job as a hostess at a popular restaurant, or waiting tables if you have this type of experience, both of these type of jobs are more willing to work around your other schedule.

Another suggestion is to get organized, There were times I would leave my house at 6:00 am, taking my DD to my parents house have breakfast with DD, head for my real job, work till 5 ish, leave there, eat in the car on the way to my job waiting tables, and head home at around 10:30pm or so, Make sure you have everything you need for both jobs, uniform / other clothing, shoes, and a cooler full so you can eat on the run.

 

[Ress76]

As a former retail worker, a couple thoughts:

• with your limited availability due to your regular FT job, you would probably be expected to work shifts on both weekend days, as well as probably Black Friday
• With the holidays coming, aim for a part-time job where you will be able to take advantage of merchandise benefits for gifts
• be fully aware of what the "cost" of you working PT for minimum or slightly more will be. For example, if you're making $7.50 an hour, but you now have to stop and grab a fast food dinner (or feel you "have to") between jobs 1 and 2...that's probably an hour of work each shift to cover the fast food dinner you wouldn't have gotten otherwise. If you will be buying more expensive convenience food for your kids to make their own dinners, that would be an additional cost as well. If you need to drive significantly out of your way to get to the PT job and then home, the gas is an added cost.
• as a PP noted, very nicely, the retail world is not like the corporate world, and I will tell you with all honesty that at this point, I would not be able to work big box retail again. The entitlement, nastiness and overall laziness of many consumers would have me with an ulcer within a week. If I found myself in need of a second job, I would personally look at the local grocery store or maybe a Hallmark kind of store.
• Is there any way that you could pick up additional hours at your FT job, maybe in a related department?

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Definitely no opportunities at my regular job for extra jobs, and I don't do anything that could lead to side work. I didn't even think about delivering papers, that might be something to look into. I wouldn't mind getting up a little earlier.

 

[erij11]

Have you considered an at-home position? Several years ago, I used to work part-time for u-haul at home while working full-time. Hopefully, it is okay to post that. It wasn't a bad job at all. The hours are flexible but workers are needed more on the weekends as that is when most people move. Look around online there are lots of companies like such as u-haul, hotels, cable companies, etc. that hire at home workers. My shifts were always 4 hours and I think I worked 3-4 days per week with the ability to add more hours.

 

[DisneyMandC]

OP, not sure what kind of skills you have, but check out websites like Fiverr and eLance. There are a large variety of different jobs on there from legal work to transcription, phone answering, and personal assistants. DH is a "personal assistant" for a woman through eLance and has been doing it for over a year now. Pay obviously varies on the person hiring, but it's a good way to make some side money without leaving home.

 

[Leader of the Club]

Is there another adult in your home? Your kids are coming to a very turbulent age and will need adult guidance now more than ever before.

 

[pjlla]

Just chiming in here..... I started working a second job a few years ago (primary job is subsitute teaching, so I have weekends/summers/holidays off)... just one night a week and a few hours of work each week from home. NBD. My kids were in high school when I started. Then this school year I started "subbing" a maintenance job in my school district in the evenings. NBD I told myself... make my own hours. Well I started realizing that I was going days on end without having an hour with my DS! He is a senior this year and will be "poof".... gone next year! So I started trying to only work on the evenings when he is already tied up (sports, clubs, etc).

I do NOT love the job and cannot foresee myself doing it long term..... but college bills are due (DD is a Junior in college) and every little bit helps! The pay is good, but not outstanding ($10/hr) but I live in a VERY rural area and being able to work here in town is worth a little less an hour..... plus I did look into working retail for the holidays and Kohl's would only pay minimum wage (40 minutes away).... plus I would probably be required to work Black Friday and Christmas Eve... NO WAY! My family time is way more important than that! But again, it is NOT a matter of keeping a roof over our heads or food on the table. It if were, then I would do WHATEVER it would take (as long as it were legal!).

Look into substituting/temping..... it can be VERY flexible which is great.... if the kids need you or someone is sick or whatever, you can just say "no" to work that day. And you (I presume) don't need benefits since you already have a FT job. In our school district you can sub as a teacher/aide (there are different educational requirements for every state), a maintenance worker (usually just requires fingerprinting/background check), lunchroom staff, office staff, etc. Pay for my district is one of the lower ones around (because we are so rural) but it is worth it to me to stay here in town. I could probably $15/day more if I drove into the nearest big city.... but that would take me 30-45 minutes each way and pretty much use up the extra $ in gas and wear/tear on the car. There are temp agencies out there, but I couldn't recommmend any particular one................P

 

[lanejudy]

Several years ago I took on a second part-time job in retail. It was right around this same time of year -- in fact, my official first day after training was opening on Black Friday. As others have mentioned, if you are considering retail and plan to start "now" (as opposed to waiting until after the holidays), be fully prepared for a lot of hours, little if any ability to choose your schedule, required weekends and even on the holidays (in some areas stores are now open on Thanksgiving!). Holiday hours expand as the calendar approaches Christmas, and therefore so will your hours; what was a 2 or 3 hour evening shift until close is suddenly a 4-5-6 hour shift because the store is open until midnight. At other times of the year it was much easier to adjust my schedule and request certain days off, but they were very strict during the holidays.

It worked out well for me and since I had expressed interest in longer-term than just holiday-help, they kept me on after the holidays as well. But I was young and single. I don't know that I could do that again now with a family. My husband works evenings and weekends, and he's often frustrated to miss out on DDs activities when he isn't able to re-arrange his schedule for sports, concerts, art night, etc. I suggest you think about what activities/events your kids have in the next couple of months leading up to the holidays and whether you are ok missing that stuff.

Good luck!

 

[GaryDis]

You also want to look at how it will impact you, tax-wise. When I was working two jobs (which I did for a few years), I didn't even think about taxes until it came time to do them and I was surprised by a $1000 tax bill. My second job didn't withhold a lot of income tax because it was only 16 hours a week. I changed my withholding to take $25/week out so my taxes would be covered.

This may be less of an issue for you since you have children and therefore more tax deductions than I did. However, if you are used to getting a large tax return, a second job would definitely impact that if you don't plan ahead.

Tax tangent alert:

The main reason for people to get messed up on taxes by a second job is because they didn't read the fine print in the withholding form (W-4) instructions that says to do the second job differently from the first. Merely having children won't help, because if you fill out the form the wrong way, you wind up claiming their exemptions twice, once with each employer, while of course, come tax time, you're only allowed to claim each exemption once.

My oversimplified advice to clients, in my tax prep days, was to claim zero exemptions on the second job, and then come see us during the off season, with paystubs from both jobs in hand, so we could refine things. If you're a DIY type, I've heard good things about the IRS's online withholding calculator.

 

[SueInBoston]

Do you have office administrative skills? some offices need week night/ weekend coverage. I'm an evening office manager with 2 staff, the office is open till 10 at night so we need coverage from 5-10. between the 3 of us, we each get about 15 hours a week.

 

[SC Minnie]

I work part time at Michaels in addition to my full time job. They knew I had a full time job when they hired me and have been great about working around my schedule. Since it's smaller than a Target or WalMart they are more willing to work with you. Most of the evening shifts start at 4 or 5. I can't be there until 5:30 but it's not an issue. They also close at 9 so I'm out by 9:30. I work on the floor and well as teach knit and crochet.

We have some folks that can only working 9-2 while their kids are in school. Others can only work certain days.

Stores are hiring NOW for seasonal and may have already filled most positions. I would encourage you to apply to a smaller store.

 

[eliza61]

lol, I've done it a number of years when my kids were little. they don't seem to have psychological damage from it. As many here have heard me lament, lol I worked for walmart. that was actually a horrible experience but over the years I think that was because the store I worked had managers who really felt they were Pharaoh and we were Hebrew slaves.

I've also worked other retail stores and the post office during Christmas.

The main thing for me was organization. I really had to be organized because there wasnt extra time to make up for dealing with problems, like lost books, last minute catastrophes etc.

the main draw back was tiredness.

I definitely thought it was worth it. we weren't in danger of losing our house or anything but money was tight and it prevented us for acquiring a lot of debt. I was lucky also that I had relatives that could pinch hit in an emergency.

 

[eliza61]

Is there another adult in your home? Your kids are coming to a very turbulent age and will need adult guidance now more than ever before.

???

she's not going away? many kids are latch key kids especially at pre teens/teens. they don't lack adult guidance, they simple have a couple of hours that after school that they are alone.
every last one of the women I work with have kids at home, they don't seem to be having any type of meltdowns.

my dad was a single dad NYCPD, many days we came home to the dog at 13, 14. Of course that was the olden days, lol we also rode the subway by ourselves which seems to cause panic now among parents.

2 days a during the week coming home to an empty house s hould not cause turbulence.

 

[nkereina]

OP, I'm in the same boat as you. No kids, just DH and I, but I've been considering a part time job in retail just to earn a little extra income. I have some bills I'd like to pay off, and call me crazy but I actually miss working with customers. Our local Disney store is hiring and it's been tempting to apply there because at least I'd be immersed in Disney, presumably get an employee discount, and I have heard that Disney store employees enjoy the same benefits as CMs who work in the parks so that is obviously a huge plus if it's true. But, I keep going back and forth because we don't *need* the extra income, and I can imagine there will be times when I'm tired or want to do something on a Saturday but am committed to this part time job I don't really need and now have to sacrifice for.

The seasonal jobs are a good suggestion, but for the holiday seasonal help, you will no doubt be expected to work Black Friday, possibly Thanksgiving if they're open, Christmas Eve, and presumably all weekends leading up to the holidays. It would definitely make it tough to enjoy your own holiday season, and would also be tough to do your own Christmas shopping!

But another seasonal opportunity that came to mind is spring time when stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and even local nurseries and garden stores are really ramping up. I worked at a lawn & garden store all through high school and got to be the cashier outside. I worked alone enjoying the sun, seeing all the flowers come in. Rarely had to bag anything because I was just scanning bags of mulch and dirt, etc. Found it pretty enjoyable.

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
Just sharing
I worked fulltime and partime for 15 years,,,,,,
Single mom of three boys,,I received next to nothing in the way of child support from their father.
I did what I had to do but hated it. I worked all my part time hours on the weekend (night shifts) and it took till the following Wednesday for me to feel normal-mentally and physically--only to repeat the cycle again two days later..
I regret that I missed so many weekends with my boys. Memories can't be bought.
My suggestion would be to begin with 10 hours and only build more into your schedule if it feels right.
Remember your well being is important.
Best wishes
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

OP, I'm in the same boat as you. No kids, just DH and I, but I've been considering a part time job in retail just to earn a little extra income. I have some bills I'd like to pay off, and call me crazy but I actually miss working with customers. Our local Disney store is hiring and it's been tempting to apply there because at least I'd be immersed in Disney, presumably get an employee discount, and I have heard that Disney store employees enjoy the same benefits as CMs who work in the parks so that is obviously a huge plus if it's true. But, I keep going back and forth because we don't *need* the extra income, and I can imagine there will be times when I'm tired or want to do something on a Saturday but am committed to this part time job I don't really need and now have to sacrifice for.

The seasonal jobs are a good suggestion, but for the holiday seasonal help, you will no doubt be expected to work Black Friday, possibly Thanksgiving if they're open, Christmas Eve, and presumably all weekends leading up to the holidays. It would definitely make it tough to enjoy your own holiday season, and would also be tough to do your own Christmas shopping!

But another seasonal opportunity that came to mind is spring time when stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and even local nurseries and garden stores are really ramping up. I worked at a lawn & garden store all through high school and got to be the cashier outside. I worked alone enjoying the sun, seeing all the flowers come in. Rarely had to bag anything because I was just scanning bags of mulch and dirt, etc. Found it pretty enjoyable.

You just described my Dream Job!!!! and made me smile.
My dream retirement job is working in a garden center,,
well I guess a girl can dream right?
Hugs Mel

 

[neatokimmo]

I worked 60 to 80 hours a week for four years.

It seriously broke me. My quality of life was very poor.

I quit the full time corporate job last month. I will be switching my part time business to full time business. Even if that goes up to 40 hours, that feels like a vacation.

If I find myself needing more cash than the business is generating, I'd eat beans and rice, even sell plasma before I worked more than 40 hours again.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Tax tangent alert:

The main reason for people to get messed up on taxes by a second job is because they didn't read the fine print in the withholding form (W-4) instructions that says to do the second job differently from the first. Merely having children won't help, because if you fill out the form the wrong way, you wind up claiming their exemptions twice, once with each employer, while of course, come tax time, you're only allowed to claim each exemption once.

My oversimplified advice to clients, in my tax prep days, was to claim zero exemptions on the second job, and then come see us during the off season, with paystubs from both jobs in hand, so we could refine things. If you're a DIY type, I've heard good things about the IRS's online withholding calculator.

I plan on filing single, 0 for the second job just to be safe.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

I have an interview today at Target at 4. I'm excited. We discussed what my expectations were and what they needed and we feel it will be a good fit. The woman was speaking as if I were already hired so that's good. I told her I'd like to do majority of my hours Saturday and Sunday mornings/afternoons. She said that would be perfect. I said maybe 1 or 2 nights during the week.

My kids sleep until noon on the weekends as it is! (for those that asked, they wont be home alone - my husband is home at night and on weekends)

I'm going into it with an open mind, since I don't NEED the job it will be easy enough to say this is just too much and be done but I'm hoping I do last the year. We'll see.

I was surprised to see their employee discount wasn't much at all. 10%. bummer.