Last updated Mar. 11, 2024 by Jessica Green
“Having one job is already tiring enough, why get another?“, If you think this way, you’re not wrong, you’re only being human.
However, do not depend entirely on one source of income. Your needs can change anytime, the economy can enter into recession at any time, and you’ll need extra income to meet your basic needs. If this reason isn’t convincing enough, this article highlights the top fifteen reasons to get a second job.
Top 15 Reasons To Get A Second Job
1. Extra Source Of Income
One of the top reasons to get a second job is so that you can increase the amount you receive as income. Once your income is high, you can meet your financial goals and live a happier and content life.
Money can solve most of the problems we all go through. And if you can increase the amount of money you have through a second job, most of your problems will be resolved.
With an extra source of income, you can make investments, travel around the world, achieve your dreams, and access excellent health care.
2. Debt Repayment
If you depend on one job to repay all your debts, it’ll take years to finally pay it off. However, with a second job, you can earn extra money that can be budgeted for debt repayment.
For example, if you apply for a mortgage, it will take 10 to 30 years to pay it off. This also means that you will accrue and pay more interest during the loan term period. But, if you get a second job, and apply for a shorter loan term, you’ll have to pay less in interest.
Additionally, a second source of income allows you to pay off your debt on time. This gives you a good credit score and reputation.
3. More Savings
As an adult, saving money is one of the hardest things to do. Regardless of the saving plans you make, emergencies and financial problems can quickly eat deep into your savings. To prevent this situation from reoccurring, you need a second job.
A second job equals extra earnings, and an extra earning equals more money for savings. For example, if your second job pays you $15 to $20 per hour, you can make between $1,500 and $2,000 monthly – this amount when saved can help you solve tons of financial problems.
4. Skill Development
Learning a new skill is important to your career. It broadens your job options and enables you to keep up with the ever-changing world. In addition, a new skill makes you adapt well to your work environment and keeps you relevant.
One of the ways to develop new skills is by getting a second job. If you get a second job that is outside your career path, it can boost your confidence, enhance your creativity, and make you more valuable to your employees.
When you have a second job, you can transfer the skills and insight you have in one job to the other job. You can also improve your problem-solving skills and adaptability due to your diverse experience.
5. More Networking Opportunities
For networking to be possible, you need to be in an environment with new people – a second job gives you this opportunity. It puts you in a new work environment that allows you to meet new people, exchange innovative ideas, create collaboration, and establish strong friendships.
According to multiple financial experts, one of the ways to be financially successful is by building a good network with people. Once you network and create connections with people, you will have the opportunity to meet people with ideas that can elevate your financial status.
In addition to career advancement, networking also allows you to build your credibility and gain a different perspective.
6. Increase Your Retirement Contributions
Another good reason to get a second job is so that you can increase your retirement contributions.
Life after retirement can be difficult if you do not have enough funds to sustain your lifestyle. Once you stop working at the age of 65, you will have to fund the rest of your life without having a stable source of income. Most people fall into crises at this point, however, you can avoid this situation by having a second job that allows you to put more money into your retirement account.
For example, if you get a second job that earns you between $1,000 to $2,000 monthly, if you put it directly into a retirement account, it’ll earn you high returns after twenty to forty years.
Another Interesting Article: Steps to take 10 Years Before Retirement
7. Spice Up Your Resume
To bag a good-paying job, you need to have a resume that speaks highly of your skills. But if you stick to a job, and give no room for exploration, you’ll find it difficult to get a good resume.
Having a second job gives you an opportunity to gain new work skills and experience. For example, if you work in academics but get a part-time job as a private tutor, you can gain more experience and skills such as communication skills, time management, assessment skills, active listening, and patience. With these skills and experience, you can climb up the ladder in your career.
8. Sense Of Fulfilment
There’s a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with engaging in two work environments.
Working in a single environment for years can lead to a lack of experience in diverse fields, stagnation, and lack of exposure. Some research reveals that most people fall into depression and lack a sense of fulfillment due to their jobs.
If you take on a second job, it’ll give you the opportunity to meet new people, earn more, advance in your career, expand your capabilities, and more – all these lead to fulfillment.
9. For Emergency
Emergencies can come in the form of hospital bills, car repair or maintenance, home appliance repair, or sudden job loss. When any of these happens, what do you fall back on?
If you only have one job, and can’t finance an emergency, you’ll be tempted into taking a personal loan. Once you take out a loan, you’ll be trapped in an endless cycle of debt.
To avoid being unable to finance your emergency and falling into debt, find a second job. It can supplement your income and act as a financial safety net.
10. Low Risk Of Job Loss
The job market is uncertain and you’re not safe from it. So it is important to have a backup plan in case you lose your main job.
If you stick to only one job, you’ll lack the work skills and experience that are needed to help you stay relevant. And if you’re not productive or relevant in your work environment, you’ll stand a chance of being fired or demoted.
But if you have a second job that builds your experience and skills, your employer will not risk losing you. And in a situation where you lose your job, your work skills and experience can help you find a better job.
11. Financial Freedom
To achieve financial freedom means to be free from debts, and to have enough savings that can fund your lifestyle.
Most people live life without ever attaining financial freedom. Why? because they make no plan to supplement their income.
If you want to attain financial freedom, you have to expand your source of income by taking a second job. If you depend solely on one job to fund all your needs and wants, it’s only a matter of time before you fall into debt or a financial crisis.
12. Save For A House
One of the best assets to own is a house. It never depreciates and it’s a valuable asset to pass onto your children.
However, buying a house can cost an arm and a leg. If you’re applying for a mortgage, you’ll be required to make about 20% down payment. And once you make a down payment, you’ll be tasked with mortgage payments each month.
Making a monthly mortgage payment is one of the hardest parts. You’ll have to dip into your income every month until you pay off what you owe – this can cause a strain on your financial life if you depend on one source of income. To avoid overdue debts, get a second job.
13. Sense Of Security
Having a sense of financial security is another good reason to get a second job.
People with only one source of income live in fear. If they suddenly lose their job, they’ll have to depend on their savings or loans to go by. However, if you have more than one source of income, you’ll be less stressed and anxious about your finances.
14. Investment
To make investments and build wealth, you need to have cash or savings. And to get cash, you need a second job.
Nowadays, making investments does not require a huge amount of money. You can invest in either bonds or stocks with as low as $100. Some of the applications to check out include Acorns, Betterment, Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and Webull.
Another Interesting Article: 7 Best Micro-Investing Apps for Beginner Stock Investors
15. Enhance Social Life
A second job means that you get to meet new people to interact with. When you engage in two different work environments, you’ll meet people with different lifestyles, and you will learn to adapt to them.
How To Manage Two Jobs Without Burning Out
Working two jobs is easier said than done. If not managed properly, it can lead to burnout and unproductivity. Here are some tips to help you balance your two jobs.
1. Find a Flexible Second Job
One of the reasons most people fail to maintain a second job is because they make the mistake of finding a second job that eats up their time.
Before you decide to find a second job, understand your schedule and know what kind of job will fit into the schedule. If you’re a teacher who works from 7:00 Am to 3:00 PM, you can find a part-time job that starts from 4 pm.
2. Schedule Your Time
Make a list of all the things you do in a day, and create a schedule for each task. Assign a time for all your activities and stick to it. Doing this allows you to efficiently without burning out.
3. Become A Freelancer
To avoid conflicts between your jobs, it is advisable to get a second job as a freelancer.
As a freelancer, you can work from home and also decide your schedule.
10 Good Second Jobs That Will Help You Pay The Bills
Here are ten good part-time jobs that are flexible and capable of boosting your income.
1. Freelance Jobs
Freelance jobs like writing, graphics designing, digital marketing, and app development are flexible and allow you to work at your own pace.
And since you’re your own boss, you can decide how much to earn.
2. Tutor
A private tutoring job only requires about three to five hours of your time. In other words, you can schedule your two jobs in a way that they don’t clash with one another.
To find tutoring jobs, connect with people around you and tell them of your service, or apply for online tutoring jobs on apps like
As an online tutor, you can earn between
3. Driver
Uber or Lyft drivers are allowed to take driving offers whenever they want. And they earn an average of $24 per hour.
If you have a car, download the Uber or Lyft app and create an account to become a driver.
4. Sell Online
There are tons of platforms to sell your goods. They include Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Facebook marketplace.
5. Service Industry Jobs
Service industry jobs such as waiter/waitress, customer service rep, sales rep, and cleaning jobs are all flexible. The money you make from any of these jobs can help supplement your income.
In addition, these jobs can easily fit into your schedule while working in your main job.
6. Caregiving
If you have skills such as patience, you can apply to become a babysitter or nanny for young people. You can also apply to become a caregiver for the elderly and people with disabilities.
7. Blogger
If you create a blog and post high-quality SEO content, you’ll attract users and visitors. And once you increase your blog’s traffic, you can begin to earn money from affiliate marketing, Google Adsense, sponsorship, and more.
8. Start A Business
If you have a business idea and enough savings, you can start up a business. When you own a personal business venture, you can easily decide on how to manage between two jobs.
9. App Developer
If you’re skilled in tech, you can apply for gigs on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal.
10. Dropshipping
Drop shipping is a lucrative business that can help you pay off the bills. If you want to become a drop shipper, here’s a guide to help you.
Another Interesting Article: Dropshipping 101: How to Start a Dropshipping Business
Conclusion
Having a second to rely on is important. The world is changing, your needs are increasing, and the world economy is becoming unpredictable. So make a backup plan today.
Frequently Asked Questions On A Second Job
When Should I Quit A Second Job?
You should quit your second job if it keeps getting in the way of your main job. If you can’t manage your two jobs, quit the one that brings in lesser income.
What Is The Best Second Job To Have?
Some of the best second jobs for extra income include freelance writing, dog walking, graphics designing, YouTube, Online tutoring, and online selling.
What Is A Moonlight Job?
Moonlighting occurs when a person works more than one job. If you have a second job outside the normal business hours, it’s called a moonlight job.
