Second job...?

bargainbetty

I took on bar work two evenings and one weekend shift per week. Entertaining, I often got drinks bought for me (or songs on the jukebox) and it kept me fit too. Try it for a few months, and see how you feel. If it starts to affect your life too much, you can give it a break for a bit.

Or do you have a moped license? Takeaway drivers can earn a flat wage, get tips and sometimes a free meal too.

nomorefalling

I did a weekend job doing all day Saturday and Sunday as well as a full-time 9-5 during the week. It started as a temporary job to help pay for christmas and to lower my debts, but I ended up working there for two years!

If your primary job is that stressful, then just be careful how having a second job affects your mental health. Apart from being mentally exhausted most of the time doing 7 days a week and having no free time (at least I couldn't spend any of my new earned cash!), I didn't think I was doing too bad. However, it impacted heavily on my primary role, so much so that my managers were concerned for my mental wellbeing. It wasn't until I left my second job that I realised what an impact it had and personally for me, whilst paying back my debts is slower going, I'm in a much better place mentally .

That's not to say you'd have the same problems, it's well worth giving it a go. If you take a second job in retail, then you get to meet loads of new people, get discount on your shopping in there and a bit extra in the bank at the end of the month!

Also, remember to take into account that the taxman will take at least 20% of your extra earnings as well.

Hope that helps

Melaniep101

I work Monday to Friday in an office, then do Saturday's at a local estate agent doing viewings. Its tiring doing a 6 day week, plus I am being taxed a huge amount on it! Make sure you find a second job that you like doing, or you'll end up resenting it!

19lottie82

Just bear in mind that a lot of second jobs, like bar work and retail, can be minimum wage. You will then be taxed a flat rate of 20% on this (as long as your 2 incomes don’t add up to more than 40k). If you work 10 hours a week in your second job, you will only see around £50 “in your hand”. Is it really worth it, considering how tired it might make you, and possible travel expenses?



I did it for a while and found it wasn’t worth it. But I guess for you that would be a personal decision.



However, if you can find the right bar or waitressing job, then the tips can be amazing. I have worked in places where I could double my wage in tips. I have however, been in others where I have earned practically none.

cottage_retreatist

Hey OP!

I did a second job for a year after OH lost his job - he didn't claim job seekers (whole other story) so I worked full time and a bar job 3-4 shifts a week to cover.

I'd say what makes bar jobs worthwhile is the opportunity for tips - some weeks I'd make nothing - other weeks I'd make 40 or 50 quid. Also my bar job paid in weekly so It helped us pay for bills etc as and when they came up as well as food so my monthly wages could go for rent and council tax etc.

I was studying part time as well though and it was EXHAUSTING! So be warned!!

But the flexibility was great and they even gave me holiday leave (paid over Christmas, which was a bonus!!!)

xx

Maitane

I used to work for Waitrose as my second job, Friday nights, all day Saturday and Sunday mornings. I found it really worthwhile, got some really good customer service training, new friends, discounted shopping and it kept our heads above water while we were recovering from a bad time.

I quit five months later as my primary employer gave me a raise in lieu of working two jobs which was handy but also lucky as I was often quite tired.

I guess the rule is: If you're happy to do it, you'll do just fine. If you resent doing it, don't bother.

too_much_debt

Before having kids I used to work two jobs, day job was as a Word Processor Operator (typing) and then 3 evenings a week I did Data Entry at a pet insurance company. I really used to love the evening job and we were able to do some hours on weekends occasionally.

Now I don't work at all, my kids are 9, 8 and 5, I'm keeping my eye open for evening or weekend work preferably doing Data Entry or something that involves typing but it's hard finding something that fits in with my OH's hours and the kids school drop off/pick up times.

I did work for a Supermarket last October until December filling shelves but really hated it (lots of reasons), this was nights so was quite tiring and I wasn't able to sleep during the day as the kids made too much noise.

I might start looking for Office Cleaning jobs in the evenings.

Good luck

easilydistracted

I do two jobs at the moment. I used to work loads more than this back in the day. I am a qualified social worker and do a management level job in social work in the week. I then have a small 8.5 hour contract working in a children's home at the weekend. Unfortunately I do weekend on, weekend off, so I work 12 days then two off. I hadn't realised this would be the case when I applied, but I got used to it. I used to do work in the children's homes pre qualification around 7 years ago.

I like how the jobs enhance eachother and it means I don't lose touch when I am seeing less of children than I used to working on the 'frontline'. Long term I hope to go part time in my main job and keep up the weekend one, but that's not achievable currently.

I am very careful not to allow one to affect the other and keep under the EU working time directive, which I have to keep to contractually. If it was a massive problem I'd give the weekend one up, but it certainly helps with a house deposit. Two (sometimes three) jobs helped me get out of a debt in the past. I think its character building, as long as you stop before you go bonkers!

zcrat41

As a student I had a cracking job in London.

It was waitressing for a company called At Your Service who supplied waiting staff for the top London catering companies. They would just ring you up and say "I've got 5 dinners, 2 balls, 3 lunch parties and 4 drinks parties next week, what do you want to do." You could do however much or as little suited you.

Also, because you were waiting on mainly the rich and famous the cloakroom tips were AMAZING!

It might mean you could do loads of hours one weekend but then if you get tired cut it down.

I don't know if they still exist but might be worth a try?

spendaholiceejit

I recently stopped working two jobs as it wasn't worth it after tax, and I was really, really tired. But it was necessary for a while to have the extra income, so it is certainly an option... You're young.