Two Jobs!!!

JP8

This is my first post as I'm new to the site. Does anyone else out there have two jobs?? I work 7 days a week, it's hard going as I have a small child (which is the main reason for doing it). I have what you would call a proper job, Mon to Fri 9-5 but due to several large debts I took a second job on the weekends. I work two 12 hr shifts, 9am to 9pm every sat and sun, along with my 9 to 5 during the week - I have been doing it for over 6 months now and I have to be honest its taking it's toll, not just on me but my partner, she's past the greatful that i'm working for the family so much stage, and on to the angry that i'm never around on the weekend stage. On a brighter note we have paid off well over 7 thousand pounds of debt in the last six months, and the feeling that you get when you ring up and settle in full a debt is undiscribable. We only have just over 6 thousand left and we will be completely debt free - i'm just wondering how i'm gonna keep it up for another 6 months.... Anyone else either understand what i'm talking about or have any ideas how I can keep the weekend job, my sanity and my partner happy for another six months? Thanks

Misty_Blue

Welcome to MSE! And well done you for paying off so much of your debt so quickly. It will be worth it when you have financial freedom! Your health is obviously important too, though. Would t be possible to slightly cut back the hours in either of the jobs? So that you had at least one day or even half day off a week?

I have two part time jobs which add up to full time hours, plus I do a lot of mystery shopping on the side.

JP8

I wish I could but I have contracts in both Weekday and weekend jobs, and the weekend job is for a very tiny company and the work is quite specialised, so its all or nothing - Thankfully my weekend job is office based, so its not very physical. I like what you have done under you post - it would be good for me to see what I have accomplished so far. Thanks for the post.

PasturesNew

Long before minimum wage came in I was working three jobs:
1] Mon-Fri 9-5.30 - in an office
2] Mon-Fri 6-9 - telephone appointment making for double glazing
3] Sat-Sun 7-4 - working the till on a garage forecourt

Misty_Blue

You might find it helps just looking around here and seeing how others have increased their income/cut back on their spending. Things like cutting shopping bills right back (but still eating very well!) on the Old Style board. Or the ideas in the Up Your Income area of the forum. This might help you reach your Debt Free Date even more quickly.

Over 7k in 6 months is amazing. Be proud of what you've achieved.

hypno06

Both OH and I have two jobs - OH actually has 3, and works seven days a week. It has been this way for as long as I can remember, and yes it is hard to fit it round children and having a life (although what that is, I don't know!).

But it is an integral part of our debt busting, so it continues.........and it will be worth it in the end.

JP8

Misty_Blue wrote: »

You might find it helps just looking around here and seeing how others have increased their income/cut back on their spending. Things like cutting shopping bills right back (but still eating very well!) on the Old Style board. Or the ideas in the Up Your Income area of the forum. This might help you reach your Debt Free Date even more quickly.

Over 7k in 6 months is amazing. Be proud of what you've achieved.

Thanks again - I will have a look around the site for some more advice. I'm at work now - I work by myself for the 2 shifts, its good to know that there are people out there doing the same as me. I hope to look back on this in a few years and laugh. Many thanks J

McKneff

JP, well done on your achievements so far. I feel for you, really i do but
all this time away from your family wll take its toll. You say it will be worth it in the end, famous last words of a friend of mine who did exactly what you are doing and said what you said, he ended up with no wife, no child and
no home, the wife was fed up with it all and left him. No, not for somebody else but because there was no family life left. Please think hard, could you not find a job where you only work Saturday or Sunday and perhaps a couple of nights a week in a bar. Better to have debts for an extra year than be debt free with no family

JP8

hypno06 wrote: »

Both OH and I have two jobs - OH actually has 3, and works seven days a week. It has been this way for as long as I can remember, and yes it is hard to fit it round children and having a life (although what that is, I don't know!).

But it is an integral part of our debt busting, so it continues.........and it will be worth it in the end.

Thank you - I know that other people do it, but it can be hard at time's - it doesn't help when your 2 year old Daughter thinks that you live at work, but it wont be forever, thats what I have to keep telling myself. Cheers

JP8

anniehanlon wrote: »

JP, well done on your achievements so far. I feel for you, really i do but
all this time away from your family wll take its toll. You say it will be worth it in the end, famous last words of a friend of mine who did exactly what you are doing and said what you said, he ended up with no wife, no child and
no home, the wife was fed up with it all and left him. No, not for somebody else but because there was no family life left. Please think hard, could you not find a job where you only work Saturday or Sunday and perhaps a couple of nights a week in a bar. Better to have debts for an extra year than be debt free with no family

I really appreciate your comments - I have struggled with these very issues for the last few months. However weighing up the stress of debt against the stress of just a few more months of hard work, especially in the current climate, I feel I would be better supporting my family by working hard. But thank you for your comment.

dancingfairy

I would do your SOA and post it up here - basically a list of everything that comes and goes out in a month. It will help you identify if there are any savings to be made and therefor you might not have to work quite so much. I am sure people will be able to give you some hints and tips on how to cut it all back.
Best of Luck
df