Managing a Second Job | Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit

As we get closer and closer to the holiday season, many of us may be considering taking on a second job to bolster our budget. Or perhaps you have had more than one job for a while now. Whatever your reason for snagging a side-hustle, handling two jobs can be challenging.

When you work two jobs, you need to be careful to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself and overload your schedule. Time to rest, eat and hang with the family still needs to be prioritized as much as you can so that you don’t just zombie your way from one job to the next.

You also need to ensure that your second job is truly benefiting you financially. That’s why you started the gig, right—to put a little extra money in your pocket? Some of you may have started a side job simply to chase an interest, but even when you are doing something you love on the side, there should be some financial benefit to make the most of your time.

The good news is that with a few simple tips you can manage a second job without losing your sense of self and actually help your budget.

Make It Worth Your Time

If you are genuinely starting a side job and not just a side hobby you occasionally make a little money on, then it should be worth your time financially. You are taking away from your private time, your family time—or maybe just leaving your four-legged friend home alone a little longer—so you should ensure it is time well-spent.

Take a look at your budget and start adding in the additional costs you will incur with your new job.

If you are adding a new commute, your visits to the gas station are going to increase, and if you are working from home, your electric bill and internet costs will likely go up. Consider if you will be eating out more often as you have less time to spend in the kitchen. Even fast food meals can put a dent in your budget pretty quickly. Think about one-time costs as well, including clothing or other necessary gear you will need for your new job.

Once you have considered all the additional costs that will come along with a second job, you need to weigh them against the income you will be bringing in. Without considering these added expenses, a small extra paycheck can sound tempting, but you need to ensure you will actually be making money at the end of the day.

Avoid Burning Out

Perhaps an even a bigger consideration to take when thinking about a second job is how you are going to avoid burning out. Making extra money will never be worth it when you are left exhausted, overly stressed and unhappy.

Take a look at your schedule with the second job included. Does it mean missing kids’ sports events or other after-school activities? Perhaps skipping one out of three soccer games a week doesn’t seem like much, but how will you feel when Junior scores his first goal the night you aren’t there? If your second job can be worked from home, does it mean pushing your regular bedtime back, or skipping out on binging your favorite show with your best buds?

These might feel like small sacrifices, but consider your sustainability long-term. Make sure you still have room to find time to sit and stare at the TV or read a book without any other responsibilities. Make sure you can still participate in family activities regularly enough to feel truly engaged.

Working a second job can be completely feasible as long as you are paying attention to your personal well-being. When your time and budget are considered and well-managed, a second job can be a great way to line your pockets and make your finances a little more comfortable.

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