Should I get a second job?

[steph96]

I'm honestly just bored and craving interaction with people that are close to my age. FI just got told he will no longer have any days off from his job (weekends included) and I get so bored during the weekends. The income would be used to pay off debt faster.

I'm just not sure if it would be worth having to give up the off chance that someone will ask me to do something one weekend. I figure that after taxes, I would bring home anywhere from $300 to $600 a month by working 2 days during the weekend.If I decide to wait tables again for some insane reason, I figure I would probably make $800+ per month. I'm just not sure if I want to compete with all the high schoolers who can only work weekends....

Do you think it would be a good idea to get a second job? If so, what kind of positions do you think would hire me?

[Deleted]

I would only get a second job if I needed the money or it was something I loved to do. I can't really think of any jobs that would be part time, enjoyable, and allow me to be around like-minded people. I volunteer on some Saturdays at a food bank and soup kitchen, I like it, but for different reasons.

[dexteroni]

Working every day sounds awful to me. I would rather do some social activities - go to a museum, a lecture, join a book club, take a class, go on a house tour, etc. and maybe meet some people. Or stop waiting for people to ask you to do something and ask them instead.

Why does your FI work 7 days a week? Is that legal? Is it permanent?

[kellbell191]

This is half of the reason I started waiting tables on Saturday nights. I love the people and we sometimes hang out outside of work. I started while dh was studying for a major certification and was studying on the weekends. It's been great or paying off debt... And I get to eat awesome food and I get a discount. It does become tricky when we have OOT weddings and for getting everything done around the house.

[y4m]

I worked at a winery on weekends while DH was busy with lawschool (Hi Kellbell!).

Assuming you don't *need* the money, I'd limit it to once a week. You still need time to recharge from your real job. But that said, I loved it and met a lot of friends that way--but I think the key is doing something you are interested in, so the work is fun.

[steph96]

Oct 4, 2012 18:43:58 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Working every day sounds awful to me. I would rather do some social activities - go to a museum, a lecture, join a book club, take a class, go on a house tour, etc. and maybe meet some people. Or stop waiting for people to ask you to do something and ask them instead.

Why does your FI work 7 days a week? Is that legal? Is it permanent?

I really don't know anyone around here anymore. Everyone moved away. There is only one woman at my job within 10 years of me. There are guys closer to my age, but I only see them in passing and they dont even say hi back, so I don't see how I could initiate a friendship there....

I looked into taking some fun classes, but those are always a huge bust. Everyone is always my moms age.

I'm really not sure about FI's current job is doing. That fun tidbit was sprung on me while I was typing my OP.

[SJ]

I think it sounds like a good idea but I agree that one extra day would be preferable to two.

When I first started at my firm I kept my serving job. I did one shift a week- Saturday dinner- and it was very lucrative. I did this for six months. In all honesty, I would do it now but DH thinks I'm crazy and won't "let" me.

[dexteroni]

Oct 4, 2012 19:01:40 GMT -5 steph96 said:

I really don't know anyone around here anymore. Everyone moved away. There is only one woman at my job within 10 years of me. There are guys closer to my age, but I only see them in passing and they dont even say hi back, so I don't see how I could initiate a friendship there....

I looked into taking some fun classes, but those are always a huge bust. Everyone is always my moms age.

Oh that sucks. Where are the people in their 20s in your city? Getting a job at a store or restaurant where there are more employees your age group could indeed be a good way to make friends. Every retail job I had involved going out after work and/or meeting up with them on nights off. My retail jobs were clothing store, bookstore, and record store.

[steph96]

Oct 4, 2012 19:09:05 GMT -5 SJ said:

I think it sounds like a good idea but I agree that one extra day would be preferable to two.

When I first started at my firm I kept my serving job. I did one shift a week- Saturday dinner- and it was very lucrative. I did this for six months. In all honesty, I would do it now but DH thinks I'm crazy and won't "let" me.

I would love to be able to do that, but I'm not sure that anyone would want to hire me for only one night a week. My FI is also against me getting a second job, but I really want something to do on weekends since he is always gone.


Volunteering sounds great, but if I'm going to commit to something, I rather make money doing it. Once we are debt free, I can stop working that job and spend my extra weekend time shopping

[kellbell191]

I also work at a job with all older people. I have fun with the restaurant people...we've gone tubing, they invite me to their parties, we go out for drinks, dh and I have been invited to bbqs and I go to dinner with one of the girls. I've also
Made friends volunteering for a pet rescue, being on our dog park committee and through classes at the gym.

[ellipses84]

Yes, I think you should do it. Now that I have kids, I always wonder what the heck I did with all my spare time before. DH was working weekends so I never did much and we both totally could have gotten a second job and saved more or paid off bills. I also think we should have done more exciting stuff and traveled the world more, so you should plan to do that too

You could work both days to start, and if it turns out to be too much, ask to cut back to one day or be "on call." I bet a lot of places would love someone who could pick up an extra shift or two during busy times without having to promise regular hours. Waitressing or working at a store you love to shop at during sale times are good options (and you may be able to get a discount).

If you are just looking to meet people your age, try some meetup.com groups and don't give up if you have to try a few groups before joining the right one.

[lys]

You have debt to pay off so do it!. When the debt is gone, find another activity in your commumity to meet and connect with people. There are many needs in every community where you could volunteer or be of help to others.