How To Save Time and Money When Working Two Jobs

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In an era of remote work, it’s easier than ever to make extra money by working multiple jobs. And over 8.4 million Americans do just that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How do they do it? 

Follow these tips to save time and maximize your earnings working two jobs.

1. Get Clear on Expectations and Deliverables

The last place you want to find yourself is fired from both jobs because you were stretched too thin to do either of them well.

Sit down with each of your employers and get crystal clear on their expectations. By what metrics will they measure your performance? What numbers do they expect from you for those key performance indicators? 

You need to know what success and failure look like for each job so you can ensure you stay above the water line.

2. Combine Remote and ‘Just Be Present’ Jobs

Some jobs require almost no actual labor of you — they simply require a human to be physically present. You can combine one of those jobs with its opposite: a job that requires work from you, but not your physical presence. 

This way, you can (ethically) overlap your working hours. You could literally get paid for 16 hours of work each day while actually working just eight. 

3. Balance Demands and Skills

When you sit in front of a computer all day for one job, the idea of going and sitting in front of another computer for another eight hours can instill dread. 

Imagine you instead worked one mentally intensive job with another job that requires physical movement and skill. For example, you could work an accounting job during the day and then moonlight as an antique furniture restorer. 

One job engages your mind, the other engages your hands and body. That keeps your two working worlds balanced and aligned. 

4. Prioritize Flexibility

Good luck appeasing two different jobs that require you to work specific hours each week. If both jobs tell you to work at 11:00 on Thursday morning, you’re in trouble.

Instead, look for at least one flexible job that lets you work on your own schedule as long as you complete the deliverables. 

5. Have an Exit Strategy

You probably don’t want to work two jobs forever. But when you burn the candle at both ends, it gets hard to stay on top of your finances and your financial goals.

First, define a goal that would let you escape the tornado of working two jobs. That could mean having a certain level of savings or eliminating debt. Then create a budget to serve as a roadmap for reaching your goal. Otherwise, you may find yourself still working two jobs five years from now — or 25.

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