Here's how I juggle three jobs

Since I graduated college five years ago, I’ve maintained a full-time job as well as a part-time job. There have also been periods in my life that I’ve maintained a full-time job, alongside two part-time jobs. And right now just so happens to be one of those times.

Here’s how I’m juggling three jobs and making it work:

Knowing that it’s worth it
Back in October, I wrote a post about why working a part-time job at Christmas is easy money. And it can be easy – for a few months at a time. But incorporating a part-time job as part of your lifestyle is a different story. You can’t add more hours to each week, so you will have to make room for that time by cutting other activities out. But it’s not all bad – by working more, you will have less time to spend your hard-earned money – meaning you will reach your financial goals that much faster!

Set boundaries
That’s not to say that all I do is work. I play on two field hockey teams, have time to socialize with my boyfriend and friends, watch my favourite television shows each week, and travel whenever I can.

The easiest way to fail at your part-time job is to burn yourself out. Make sure to set some time aside for yourself and your family each week. For example, I set aside Friday evenings, as well as every Saturday to be free from my part-time job obligations.

Get organized
Up until a year ago, I was working retail or customer service-type jobs, which required careful time management and set schedules. Now, I am lucky enough to work both of my part-time jobs on my computer. Because of this, I am able to be a bit more flexible when it comes to work hours, but I still make sure to follow a somewhat set routine - as if I had a shift schedule to follow. This helps me stay on track, knowing I have set days and time to sit down and work.

For example, every weekday morning I wake up at 6 a.m. I spend one hour responding to e-mails, catching up on Twitter, reading financial articles, and making a list of what I need to accomplish for the day. Then, I usually "schedule" myself to work Sunday-Thursday evenings, for about three to five hours each night.

Stop wasting time
It’s amazing how many friends I have who think that it is impossible for them to take on a second job. Then I find out they watch at least two hours of television every evening, spend hours mindlessly watching videos on YouTube or surfing the internet.

Whether your dream is to get out of debt, or save more money, it won’t happen if you’re not going to use your time effectively.

Use the extra money towards goals
If you plan on using the extra money just so you can spend it on yourself, or for a lifestyle boost, then all that work and sacrifice is going to waste.

My goal for 2011 is to earn an additional $25,000 through my part-time endeavours. This will help me boost my Emergency Fund, and save for a down payment on my first home.

Using the money you earn from your part-time job to get out of debt, and save for your short-term and long-term goals will mean that you’re seeing positive results to your financial health. Knowing that you’re realizing your goals will give you the motivation to keep going.

Make the second job fulfilling
Take what you are missing in your life – whether you want to make new friends, improve a skill, indulge your hobbies, or make the most amount of money possible – try to find a job that fulfills your requirements.

For example, I have a passion for music, so I worked three days a week in a record store for almost five years. After that job, I wanted to learn more about make-up and skin care, so I worked in the cosmetics department of a local drug store for a while. Now, I am improving my creative skills by working as a freelance graphic designer.

Final thoughts
I have been out of debt for nearly 4 years, and I make enough with my full-time job to save at least 25-30 per cent of my net income. But I continue to work one or two part-time jobs on the side because it’s part of my lifestyle.

Working hard now while I’m young and have the time and energy means that I will be able to spend more time with my future children, when I won't want to work more than I need to. I will also be able to retire by my goal age of 55 and live a comfortable lifestyle. So for me, those few hours of extra work I put in each day is absolutely worth it.

Working a part-time job isn’t just for students, or those struggling to make ends meet. If you are serious about increasing your income, a lifestyle change to incorporate a part-time job could be the way to go.

Do you have a part-time job?

Krystal Yee is a marketing and graphic design professional living in Vancouver. She also blogs at Give Me Back My Five Bucks.