Working 2 Full Time Jobs & What I've learned.

[GM2Ford]

Background.

Me. 26 yrs old. I have a girlfriend. No kids. No pets.

So here's a little backstory to why I even considered this. I wanted to save more money for a down payment on a house (Tired of pissing money away at an apartment & storage unit). I also want to pay off student loans and other misc. reoccurring expenses a lot faster.

What I'm doing.

I've got an 8:30am to 5:30pm 1st shift job, which is my main career. I'm also working a 3rd shift 11pm to 7am job. I only considered the 3rd shift job if I found an employer that was willing to work with my schedule being that I travel for my 1st job sometimes out of state for 2-4 days every 3-4 months. The 3rd shift employer did agree to this, so that's what made it more at ease for me to try this. Both jobs require 40 hours each work. I'm working 80 hours a week.

1st Job is Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:30pm
2nd Job is Sunday to Thursday: 11pm to 7am

So I still have my weekends. Which basically is Friday nights, Saturday all day and Sunday morning/afternoon/evening.

When do I sleep?

I go straight home after the 1st shift job. I typically get home around 6:00-6:10pm and I'm out quick by 6:45pm. I then wake up around 10:15pm, grab my clothes and head to my 3rd shift. I sleep from 6:45pm to 10:15pm Monday through Thursday. I average about 3 hours a night on those 4 days.

What I learned?

During the week, if I get anywhere close to or less than 2 hours of sleep, I am completely f**ked. I will literally start to dose off while doing my job. I learned quickly to not screw around when it comes to sleep. My time management has to be so perfect that it's not even funny. Some would say... "when are you going to have time for friends? or family?" Well, the circle of friends that I grew up with... I feel that I have "outgrown" in a way. They don't have too many ambitions and they're content with living at home with parents and doing the same thing over and over again. So I'm really not missing out on anything there. As far as family goes, sadly, I'm just not the closest to them. The weekends is where I really did anything fun, so that was fine with me. EVERYTHING is planned out to the T, and when I say "everything," it's only really 2 things, when I eat and when I shower.

What do I miss?

You have no idea how much free time you have during the week, until you don't have it anymore for at least 2 months straight. I miss having the free time during the week to get certain things done and not having to use all of my lunch breaks to pay bills and make phone calls. I miss working on my car during the week and into the night. I miss getting 6 hours of sleep or more during the week. I miss going out to eat sometimes. I miss feeling completely refreshed and to take on the day. I miss going to the gym after a long mentally strenuous day at work. I miss just relaxing after work. I miss having time just for myself to think.

Am I still doing it?

Yes. I am still doing this currently at the moment. Not sure how much longer, 2 months, 6 months, a year, etc?

There are a lot of people that told me that this couldn't be done. That I'd kill myself. That people just don't do this. & that motivated me a lot more to try this. I personally know of people working 1 full time and a part-time (depending on how many hours), 2 part times, maybe even 3 part times (again, depending on the hours). I even know of people working 84 hours a week at ONE job. But I personally do not know of anyone working 2 separate full-time jobs.

Right now, since I've got in about 2 months of doing this, I'm trying to incorporate fitness into the mix. So when I get off my 3rd shift job at 7am, I run about 2-3 miles around the city, shower quickly and its straight to my 1st shift job at 8:30am. I barely, and I mean, I walk in the door at 8:30am. Contemplating on maybe shortening the distance I run.

This thread is more just kinda like a log to just share what I've been up too. If anyone wants to chime in their thoughts or ask questions or maybe even tell me how bad this is for my health etc. Please do so! Comments welcome!

 

[50stangpower]

What are the jobs? I would have to make really good money to do that.

 

[P49Y-CY]

that does sounds difficult. all i can say to keep in mind is that sometimes our time is more valuable than money. it is the one resource that we will never be able to get back.

we are all (most of us) are wage slaves to one extent or another. we trade our time for money. that is why it is so important to be doing what you really want to with your time in life, and hopefully being able to make money while doing it.

 

[IronSnake]

I almost got to that point once upon a time myself.

Luckily I landed a great job in a field i'm very apt at.. so I make good money right off the rip and was able to purchase a home. But I certainly feel for you with your plan and diligence.

Best of luck man.

 

[2Rare]

Take care of your health above all things. Lack of proper sleep can cause adverse health effects and things can quickly go down hill from there. Just remember that no amount of money can buy you your health.

 

[PaxtonShelby]

First, let me say I admire your determination. Sadly, few people your age have the drive to do what you are doing.

Keep in mind that working hard and working smart are two different things. This isn't something you can sustain for long. It will wear you down and your health will suffer eventually. Not a matter of "if" but "when". Money is very important. I get that. But your health is the single most valuable thing you have. Good health allows you to enjoy life while earning what you need to live and ultimately retire.

6 months of this may allow you to save enough for a healthy down payment on a house. And that is a great thing. But keep in mind that at some point you will have to give up one job and the income that goes with it. Be careful not to overextend yourself financially.

You may have already done this, but I suggest you meet with a good financial planner to build a long term plan for your finances, covering everything from the house purchase to retirement to kids' college funds (if kids are a possibility down the road) to other things you want to do in life (vacations, starting a business, etc.). You are young now, and if you save smart and invest (401k, IRA's, the stock market) you can have a huge pile of money 20-30 years down the road enabling you to do what you want in retirement. It just takes discipline and from what you have said you have plenty of that. Just don't kill yourself getting there. We all like to think we are Superman, but in the end we are not.

Best of luck to you bud. I am pulling for you.

 

[Branhammer]

Since you're only doing this temporarily, I don't see a problem. Just survive and get to the end-point and it should be worth it. Once you've done that, though, I recommend doing your best to find a job that is 40 hours a week, that you like or at least don't hate, and pays well enough to live the live you want within reason. As stated above, your time can be more valuable than money. What's the use of having money and nice things if you don't have time to enjoy it and hate your life 75% of the time?

That's what I've learned over the last few years. I've turned down govt. jobs 2 pay grades above mine simply because I like my job, the pay is fine, the hours are good, and I'm worried I'd hate the other job. Every job I've had prior to this one literally had me feeling nauseated every Sunday evening and every morning on my way to work. I'd rather never go back to that and have a job I like than a new Shelby/Viper/etc.

Good luck on the time you have left, and try not to get sucked into the temptation of trying to do it longer.

 

[sdoo500]

While not working two full time jobs, I can certainly feel your pain and some of the struggles.

My day, full time job takes up about 50 hours a week with an additional 10 hours of commuting. Two nights a week, I leave work and bartend until about 1 am. Weekends I detail cars on the side for a little extra cash and oddly enough it relaxes me.

I typically wake up around 4:30 go to the gym because I won't have time after work. I'm 24 years old and have been doing this for roughly two months.

I make ok money at my day job but want to hustle for as long as I can to get ahead a little bit. I didn't save like I should the last few years and just want to get a head for a bit and start to put some money away and buy a multi family home. Didn't put myself in a hole thankfully, just really didn't save anything. I figure I have about a year of doing this before I can put away a decent amount of money and lose my sanity.

I couldn't agree more on the not knowing how much free time you have until you don't. I never sit down and watch tv or go out for a beer hardly ever now. It sucks but I don't feel like I'm missing a ton by doing this for a little while.

 

[sutyak]

Run faster.

Seriously though, keep a close watch on your health. Adding running was a good idea, as it will help you to gauge your body's ability to recover with so little sleep.

 

[redfirecobra2003]

I am on almost 3 years own a bread route 1am till about 11:30- 12:00 then I work at a independent repair shop I the afternoon until 5:00-6:00 . Depending on how much work we have I am flat rate at the shop so I may only be there for 4-5 hours but can make double. Only reasoning for this is so my wife could be at home with our daughter and still maintain a good standard of living, that being said once she starts vpk or is reschool I am selling my route and working at the shop full time.

 

[BrunotheBoxer]

Not for nuthin but I'd rather live in the woods in a tent then have that schedule and lifestyle.

 

[jconnor3]

I admire your hustle for sure. I had the same outlook as you and wanted to do more than the average 20 year old and get ahead financially however possible. I had and still do have a 8-5 job (I work in advertising) and I like working with my hands and real-estate so, at 26, I bought my first house to flip. It wasn't anything fancy for the part of Indy I was in, but it was a $100k house that had the potential to resell for $145ish. I had $5k in the bank and my parents loaned me $4k. To make this possible I lived in the house while I flipped it because I could only afford rent or a mortgage, not both and I did 100% of the work. So during the day was advertising and nights/weekends I was working on the house. About a year later it was time to sell....and it did within a month.

Took the profits from that house and reinvested every penny into the next place. Did the same thing, lived in it, worked on it nights and weekends. Fast forward a year...this house sold within 24hrs and I was also engaged. After 2 houses and 2 years I had banked about $50k. Not bad for being 28 years old. I badly wanted to spend SOME money on a car but I knew I should reinvest it once again.

So, house #3, I bought a little bit nicer house with bigger upside and went all in. I planned on a 2 year flip so I wouldn't have to pay taxes and this flip included a large addition that would take a lot more time than the other houses. While we were living in the house, I ripped off the roof and added a 1,000sqft addition, we got married....oh and we/she got pregnant....yikes. So here I am last summer exactly this time of year. I just got the framing done on the additional and we have a baby on the way due in Jan of 2017. Shit....I have to start busting it. Because I work by myself it takes awhile to get stuff completed when you're talking about such a large addition. So flipping nights and weekends wasn't going to cut it so I added in early mornings as well. Get up at 5a and get a couple hours in before going into my 8-5 job. My little girl showed up 3 weeks early and the reno wasn't completely finished, but it was close. The addition is now completed and i'm working on finishing up just a few projects and the plan is to have it on the market at the end of next month. The housing market in our area is up and with the large addition, we stand to walk away with $180k or so in our pocket.

Sorry for the long post and I don't put the numbers in above to gloat, but to show that hard work can and does pay off. Over the last 4 years, I have sacrificed time with my friends, family and wife and missed out on tons of concerts and parties that would have been amazing memories. Every dime I have earned from my 8-5 job and flips has gone back into the houses. Seriously, I haven't bought a shirt or a pair of jeans in 5 years.

Through all of this, I have set my little family up to pay off all of our debts and put a substantial down payment down on a house we will live in. I will never live in a flip again or flip a house where I am doing all of the work myself. I want to spend the time with my wife and daughter now and watch her grow up. So...was it worth it after all the sacrific....sometimes I question it, but I think overall it was worth it knowing where I am now.

Stay focused on your goals and with your work ethic, I'm sure you will reach them. Remember though like some have mentioned, just because you are working more, doesn't mean its better. Try to slow down sometimes and work smarter...find alternative ways to make money if possible because your time is valuable.

Cheers

 

[SVTdreamin04]

To each their own. I hated working seven days a week, months in a row when I was younger and at the bottom of seniority. I enjoy my 40 hour typical work week.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[HillbillyHotRod]

Work?? What's that. Been retired 10 years now.

 

[cbr repsol]

I work a 3rd shift and am currently trying to work a part time shift during the day.
We will see if I get a call for a job.
My reasoning is paying child support for my kids and I even have 50/50 custody.
Plain and simple I make more than my ex so good ol Cali says I pay.

 

[jaxbusa]

Years ago I was a helper in a body shop. The first week I was working with a guy in his 60s. He had been through a lot in life. The shop was swamped with work. I asked him if we were working on Saturday and he told me that if I couldn't make a living in 40 hours I needed to find a different job. The older I get and reflect on what that meant, I can agree. I know not every situation is the same. Another thing I've heard is Act your wage. Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

 

[KilledbyKenne]

29 here and work a 7-3 job Mon-Fri. 2nd job (that actually pays more) is 3rd shift. 3 12's and a 6 starting Friday morning at midnight until 630 Monday morning. It kicks my ass but I'm doing it to get my family out of debt so we can live more comfortably on just 2 incomes. (mine and my Wife's)

Every Thursday I leave the house at 1030 pm. I don't return until 7:00 am Saturday morning. We'll see how long I can last.

Good luck to you and your goals.

 

[Zemedici]

Hell yeah dude stay hungry.

I'm 25 and work 70+ hours a week with my job (run the front of a performance shop) - my tuner works well over 90 I bet. I've worked 50+ hours a week since I was 16, and have no desire to stop anytime soon.

Yeah sure everyone goes 'man you're always working....why are you working so much.....'

As they get into their 1990 jeep to drive back to their moms place. It's nice being to afford what I want, the second I want it. And not to mention working so much has taught me a LOT of life skills / knowledge I may or may not get otherwise.

Stay hungry man. It's how people become successful. The greats didn't get that way from working 9-5.....they got that way from going above and beyond, every day.

 

[gimmie11s]

While I would admire your work ethic, I feel bad for both of your employers. As a person who hires and fires people constantly there is nothing worse than somebody who cannot give 100% to the task at hand.

How affective can you possibly be on 3 1/2 hours of sleep a day?

 

[CompOrange04GT]

Havent had a day off since July... What is a " schedule? "