I have four jobs. Thats right… four. Perhaps surprisingly, I don’t work 80 hour weeks! Most of my jobs require very little effort and provide a much bigger return. Meet my four jobs:
My full time job
Currently I’m working as a software developer. This is the job that gets the basics done – One paycheck covers all of my bills plus some money for spending and saving and the other paycheck is used for retirement savings and upcoming tuition expenses.
I’m only going to have this job until May, at which point, I have to take my remaining classes. However, I have lined up a job which starts in May but is half-time, allowing me to take classes while I work. Since my living expenses are so low and since I will not have to save for tuition expenses any more, working half time will still pay for all my basics plus allow me to save a bit as well.
My part time job
I’m on the casual list at the hospital. 2-3 times a month, I’ll come in and work. I choose when I work and I don’t take more shifts than I feel like. And it pays $20/hour! The main reason I keep this job is because of the flexibility and the high (for a part time job) pay. If I ever need extra money, this is my go-to job.
It’s not related to my current field of computer science, which is why I will not use it to fund my cost of living while I am in classes. But since I can choose when I work, I will keep this job indefinitely.
I use this money to put extra payments towards my student loan, to save towards my next condo, and to save money for upcoming living expenses while I’m in school.
My contract job
I write for a scientific organization as a contract writer. Once a month, I write one blog for their website. It’s fun because I like to write, the topics are engaging, and it only takes me a few hours of concerted effort per article. It pays by the traditional per-word standard of freelance writing.
I use this money for luxuries – colouring my hair for example. I also put some of it aside for dividend investing and sometimes I’ll put some of it towards student loans as well. I take a little bit out for spending.
My casual jobs
I write for a local music magazine website as a concert reviewer. I don’t get paid, but I do get free concert tickets. I haven’t had to buy concert tickets in ages. For a bit of writing, usually half an hour to an hour, I get my entertainment for free and I get to express my opinion about music. I often get more than one ticket as well, which makes for a free date night or a free outing with friends! The value of the tickets range from $10 to $60 per ticket.
I also pick up mystery shopping jobs. Often, these shops are for restaurants. I get a set “allowance” and instructions on what type of foods I have to order. For example, I might have to get one drink and one appetizer. Whatever money I have left after paying for those items is my profit! The value of the meals and drinks range from $20 to $70, and my profit usually ranges from a $5 to $20. After my visit, I write a short report, which takes about one hour. Again, for a bit of writing, I get more of my entertainment expenses covered for free. Many of these visits even require you to have a dinner guest, which makes for another free date night!
It’s worth it!
The key thing to note is – most of those extra jobs serve a specific purpose. They are flexible, thus allowing me the opportunity to make more money when I need to. They provide me with entertainment for free, or opportunities to eat out for free. They allow me to write and to express my opinion. These are things I enjoy or value!
In the short term, my extra jobs let me minimize my spending requirements and save more for things like tuition and retirement. In the long term, my extra jobs are a buffer against an uncertain job market and unexpected life events.
