Getting a second job

[Grmnshplvr]

Can anyone give me some advice or tips, or caution about possibly getting a second part time job in addition to my full time job? My kids are 14 and 11 so they can definitely help pick up some of the slack at home while I'm working. Childcare also wont be an issue. I'm thinking for 1 year working an extra 20 hrs a week or so at Target or something similar to bring home some extra cash for a specific financial goal.

This probably sounds easier than it will be. Not sure if I want someone to talk me out of it or tell me it wont be too bad.

 

[potterfanatic]

Maybe you could start with a seasonal job so that you know if it's something you want to commit to for an entire year? Then if you don't like it you have an end date and you have still earned some extra money to put toward your financial goal.

 

[hrslvr142]

Not sure what your financial goal is and also not sure if there is another adult in your home. I will tell you I did this because we were in danger of losing our home after my husband had severe health issues and couldn't work. If the financial goal is something you "want", I would tell you that the time with your kids is more important...if it is something you need-it is what it is and I would definitely set a time period and do it no longer than necessary. Now that I am older and my kids are grown, there is no way to get back the time that we have to spend with our kids. Not trying to make you feel guilty, just suggesting you think this through to make the best decision for your family. Best wishes in whatever you choose.

 

[kamik86]

You would have to find a job that is willing to work around your full time one. My husband works at Target and from what I understand his store at least has very few people with full time jobs. Because with a full time job your availability to work is the same or less than a high school student. Most high school students can start work by 3:30-4 which is about when the people that came in for 8 are leaving. With a full time job you wouldn't be able to start until what... 5 at the earliest?

Then they know when schools are out and the store is busier the students can work more hours then.

Seasonal they will hire people with full time jobs because they need the huge influx of people and the store stays open later so they need some that can work later then the law allows for high school students.

One other note. Does your full time job ever require you to work late? You don't want to risk lower reviews and upsetting your full time job because your rushing out on the clock to make your other job.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

You would have to find a job that is willing to work around your full time one. My husband works at Target and from what I understand his store at least has very few people with full time jobs. Because with a full time job your availability to work is the same or less than a high school student. Most high school students can start work by 3:30-4 which is about when the people that came in for 8 are leaving. With a full time job you wouldn't be able to start until what... 5 at the earliest?

Then they know when schools are out and the store is busier the students can work more hours then.

Seasonal they will hire people with full time jobs because they need the huge influx of people and the store stays open later so they need some that can work later then the law allows for high school students.

One other note. Does your full time job ever require you to work late? You don't want to risk lower reviews and upsetting your full time job because your rushing out on the clock to make your other job.

I get out at 3:30 so I definitely could start by 4, No overtime required at my first job. Not sure how late I'd be willing to work during the week. i have to get up at 5:30 for work. Something to think about for sure. Thanks.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

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.

 

[havaneselover]

20 hours a week is a lot in addition to a full time job. No way I would do that unless I had to with kids that age. You'll blink and they will be out of the house.

 

[camiandmattmom]

I work part time at CVS in addition to my full time job. Seems to work for us. 2 nights a week and one shift on the weekends

 

[Grmnshplvr]

I work part time at CVS in addition to my full time job. Seems to work for us. 2 nights a week and one shift on the weekends

Do you find it exhausting or overwhelming?

 

[camiandmattmom]

It's pretty manageable, and I just keep thinking it won't be forever, just to get us over a hump financially. I also have tons of help from my family

 

[HM]

I agree with the sentiment about only doing this for a need, not a want.

Your kids are at an age when they really do need the eye of a parent in the afternoon hours. Even good kids can get themselves in trouble when left to their own devices.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I worked a part time job over the past year to make extra money for wedding expenses. I needed something pretty flexible because I can sometimes travel for my full time job. It was in-home ACT prep tutoring, so I would have to drive to the student's house which usually took an hour round trip. My hours were also based on how many students I was actively assigned. And some students would cancel for the week and need to reschedule, so I wasn't making nearly as much as I had hoped. I was hoping for 5 active students each week for a total of $800 a month. But I really usually only had 3 students at a time, so I would spend about 9 hours per week (with travel) and make only about $400-$500 a month. I made a few thousand over the year, which did help towards wedding expenses, but it was time consuming and overwhelming.

Though they asked me to continue for another year, I declined. I definitely have other financial goals that I could see working a second job towards, especially since DH can't work until he gets his work authorization (Canadian citizen). But it just didn't seem worth it in the end.

 

[puffkin]

I am an accountant/CPA, used to a "desk" type job. I lost my job in 2009 due to a company merger and it was not a great time to find something new. I ended up working 20 hours a week at Bed Bath and Beyond which was the max I could work plus still earn full Unemployment. After about 4 months, I found a long-term temp position (8-5 M-F) with a possibility of being hired after 6 months. I was not comfortable giving up Bed Bath and Beyond without a permanent position so I stayed on there working just 1-2 shifts a weekend. Good thing I did because after being in the temp position 7 months they decided to reorg their whole finance department and didn't bring me on. So then I went back to 20 hours a week and unemployment until I finally got a position 6 months later at a great company.

I don't know what you do for your full time job, but I can tell you that working retail is HARD. I was exhausted after a shift and it really killed my whole weekend with my kids. The pay was ok for retail, but it was not easy work. Plus, there is definitely a different level of professionalism in a retail environment than the corporate settings I was used to. I also was very lucky to have managers that worked with me on my schedule...they didn't do it for everyone.

I agree with the others, if this is for an absolute need, then you can probably make it work, but it will be hard. If it is for a want, then I would probably look for something outside of retail. It will definitely have an impact on your children.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Thank you all for the input, I have a lot to think about.

During the day I have a corporate professional job. I have done retail but not since high school, so it will definitely be a change of pace. Haven't made a decision yet, just something I have considered.

 

[Smile4Me]

Now that the holidays are upon us- definitely think about your availability. Many retail or restaurant establishments may require weekend hours. If you have family/friend obligations such as school concerts, holiday parties etc, that would require you to request off a lot, it may not be worth it. The first couple years out of college I waited tables and tended bar two nights a week and weekends in addition to my fulltime job. Glad I did it cause the extra money helped me pay bills. Now I do adjunct teaching on the side. I have taught online and in person, usually one class a semester. It is a lot of extra work and the time on my feet in front of the class exhausts me. The extra money is helping me pay off my car and student loans faster than I would otherwise.

 

[Disney845]

You mentioned that you have a professional day job. Perhaps you could parlay that into side work depending on the industry you are in? Not that there is anything wrong with picking up a second job in retail, but consider what skills and assets you have from your current (or past) jobs and what kind of network of friends, clients, business partners you have and how they might be able to offer you alternatives options that might provide higher pay and a more flexible schedule.

Several years ago I was introduced to a couple through my primary job who offered me consulting work on the side (this was in no way in conflict with my main job and there was no issue with my primary employer, but make sure you don't have any clauses in your current job to prohibit this). The husband was a musician who was trying to build a brand for himself, write a book, expand his social media presence, etc. It was interesting and challenging for awhile and it even lead to additional requests from others to consult for them. However, I had no financial "need" tied to this, so in the end it became more of a nuisance than something I really wanted to continue and after a couple of years I stopped.

As others have mentioned, watch your taxes! I operated as an independent contractor and received a 1099 from my clients and had to be very organized and detailed with my records for expenses and deductions.

 

[Chelley00]

I worked a retail job for a year to pay off a mass of medical bills from our DS's car accident. I went in asking for 2 evenings a week and a weekend day and they kept scheduling me WAY more than that. I did set my availability to start at 5 so I could see the kids after school before I left again since they were in bed by the time I got home.

It wasn't bad at first really, but around that one year mark, it started to become a drudge. I was tired all the time, I missed the kids, the company wouldn't listen to my needs regarding my schedule and I ended up working 30-38 hours a week at my regular job and then 30 at the other. As soon as we got that last bill paid I happily turned in my resignation. It felt to good to have an end date and to know I wasn't going to work 70 hours a week and try to mom 4 kids the same time.

I do miss the discount though

 

[willowsnn3]

Thank you all for the input, I have a lot to think about.

During the day I have a corporate professional job. I have done retail but not since high school, so it will definitely be a change of pace. Haven't made a decision yet, just something I have considered.

I work for a driving school and for several years after I separated from my husband, I taught Defensive Driving Classes for my company in addition to my full time position as an office manager. They were 6 hour classes and I did 2, 3 sometimes 4 a month. I would either do an all day (6hr) class on Saturdays or the week night class which was two 3hr evenings. Worked for me and paid a lot of my bills and later became my Disney vacation money. Pay was a lot better than retail too.
That being said, that could be a good option for you depending on the requirements of your state. You would have to have a small investment to get your instructor's license (my company paid for mine). Most of our instructors are school teachers at their regular jobs and a lot of our DUI Instructors are either from the corporate world or school teachers.

 

[Minnesota!]

My DH has picked up odd part time jobs over the years.

His most recent was with Menard's (regional chain, maybe?). He enjoyed it...he worked 20 or so hours a week on top of his 9-5. It took some getting used to, but in 2 months, we had paid off a good portion of his student loans. Which was the end goal.

Before that he worked in a group home on e/o weekend. He delivered papers....4a-6a route. Made good money at that...he just got way tired (it was when we had a newborn..). And, he also sold pull tabs at a bar. that was the best paying one. It was about $8/hour, plus tips. We were getting an extra $700+/month for him to sit in a bar a few times a week and watch sports.

it is definitely do-able. He is thinking of getting another one - mad money is always good.

 

[Lvsdisney]

This may sound odd, but have you looked on newspaper delivery? Usually its early which may not work with your schedule, bUT it could be what you need.