pros and cons of a second job

**missmanny** · 11-11-2008, 11:50 PM

I'm interersted to hear if anyone would consider a second job if it was un necesary for them to have one?

A bit of back ground information.

My Partner and I live together but aren't married. We keep our money seperate (ish) we have our own paychecks in our own accounts and spend our money how ever it pleases us (having said that we are both very careful with money and are trying to individually save as many pennies as we can) we also have a joint account set up for bills that we each contribute to each pay period this covers everything from rent to electricity to insurance and a little bit extra to create a little bit of a buffer/joint savings (not too much of a buffer will equate to about $1500 a year)

Now that I have paid off all of my debt I am saving $700 biweekly into a savings account. it is a good chunk of change to be socking away and equates to about 40% of my income so I am really happy about that but I have big plans for the future including buying a home, staying home to look after babies eventually and ensuring that I always have 6 months of living expenses saved.

I'm not afraid of hard work and have considered taking a part time job to increase the ammount that I am saving. I don't envisage that it would be a forever thing maybe just for the next 6 months to a year while I am still young and relatively free of other commitments.

When I mentioned it to DSO last night he looked at me like I was an alien. his arguments againt.

1.I don't need the money
2. I am studying part time
3. when would he ever see me.
4. It would probably push me into a higher tax bracket and might not be that lucrative if this is the case.

I told him that it woudn't be forever that it was just to get a head start on our big plans for next year (weddings, down payment on a house) My thoughts are that short term sacrifice is worth it for long term gains. I would plan only to work about 10-15 hours extra a week (and would probably net about $200 a week so that will up my biweekly savings to $1100 almost 150% of what I save now)

Now he is not that perscriptive or controlling, if I decide to get a part time job then so be it, he will deal although he will think I am behaving strangely. I don't think that he will follow suit which doesn't bother me, although certainly if he wanted to I would be happy to support him in this.

what do you guys think, would you do it or am I just being greedy?

**Non-Conformist** · 11-12-2008, 12:47 AM

I've been known to do that in the past when I didn't have to. If you are young, able, and healthy why not? But then again I'm also one to juggle "multiple profit centers" as I don't like all my money coming from one place.

True, there is more to life than work and money but if you really want to try it I don't see the harm. As long as you aren't neglecting your priorities and family.

**itlw8** · 11-12-2008, 12:20 PM

I don't think it is greedy. You hae a big expense in a wedding coming up . How do you plan to pay for it...

Are You saving for retirement It will become hard later when you have kids so fully funded IRA can just sit and grow when money is short later.

It could raise the tax bracket.. but maybe not so check it out and see if it will and what difference it will make. So he will turn down all raises because they will raise his tax bracket ??

I do think you differ on money issues and should have some talks before you ever get married.

**tmffv** · 11-12-2008, 03:14 PM

Easier to do it now then when you have other commitments! I would do it. While I can see your partners point of view on the matter (not seeing you as much) I think it's best to sort of "set the tone" now regarding your views of hardwork. Better for him to understand now that you are the type of person to put in the extra time and dedication to meet a goal or get out of a problem.

When DH and I were dating/engaged, I had opportunities to work overtime at my job and I would always take advantage of it when I could. He would call me up and ask when I was coming home, why I was staying so long (even when I would only be staying an extra hour.) Made me feel guilty because I felt like I was making work more important than family. I know now I shouldn't have felt that way since most of the time I would just come home to hang out with him & watch tv or lounge around, nothing really productive or special. Don't get me wrong though, he was never controlling or anything like that. Just didn't see why I wanted to work so much.

**rowdy35** · 11-12-2008, 06:31 PM

i work a second job and do side jobs any time I can get them !! This summer I even had 1 full time and 2 part time jobs ! I'm in debt so off to work I go ! If you feel the need to do it, do it ! I am not young, I am 41.... so middle aged I guess?

**forHISglory** · 11-12-2008, 10:28 PM

I worked second jobs for years....... and being a teacher was almost a second job in itself! Even while putting in 12-15 hour days in teaching (and no, those numbers are not a misprint), I still taught at least one night class per week. Why? It paid well; I could make $200-250 a week for just teaching one night. It sharpened my skills. It funded the extras we enjoyed. It gave me a chance to save and retire earlier than usual. It provided a bridge to my retirement job: teaching night school! The one night that I taught each week was Daddy's night with the kids. They enjoyed their special night together. So it was a good idea for us.

**missmanny** · 11-13-2008, 01:54 AM

Thanks for your imput guys, SDO and I had another discussion about this matter last night.

I explained to him cleary my reasons for thinking that this was a good idea for us. I told him that I would miss him when I was out but that it wasn't for ever it was just to make sure that our future is a bright as it can be.

He told me that he is ok with this and that if I do it, he will also look for a second job (he will just be sitting at home by himself anyway)

ahhh, now I just have to find one.

**SweetCasey** · 11-14-2008, 04:20 PM

I worked a second job (part-time along with my full-time job) for several years when I was younger. I don't think I could do it now - I have some health issues - but I did it for quite a while. I know a bunch of folks who are working second jobs right now. Some are trying to pay off debt, others to pay for weddings or to put kids through college. If you have the energy and time, go for it!

**fixer** · 11-14-2008, 05:17 PM

I think the important part you realize is that it is not forever. I worked one job but with overtime it was like two forty hour weeks at once. We work every holiday except Christmas day. I was paid well but it really hurt not being home. But, that also was not forever. Take care of the money you make and it will be well worth it.