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Multiple Jobs? How Would You Do It?
MikeDawg asks: "With so much uncertainty in the current job market for tech workers, and with varying financial situations; are you required (or want) to work a second job? I'm in one of those situations. I work as a bartender during the days and weekends, and I work as a mainframe operator during the night. Often browsing classified ads for positions, I see ads for jobs that pay a minimal amount more than my current tech job, and a possibility for less stability (see this Slashdot Article). Do you think it would be a better idea for someone to work two somewhat secure jobs, getting paid a little bit less, or going for a higher paying somewhat insecure job? I also run into varying conflicts such as scheduling if I would like to try and maintain two jobs, which is never fun (Don't even ask about how happy my girlfriend is). So my question to you out there, would you rather work 2 secure jobs, that pay a little bit less than what you could be making, or would you rather get paid a touch more, and work for 1 less secure employer?"
I would rather work for myself, have absolutely no stability between jobs - but rake in piles of money.
If you have the option: keep one stable job - but your 2nd should be something that is risky but with potential for serious personal wealth if you strike it rich.
Start a small business doing something that you have always loved. Lean on the stable job for a while, letting it support you until your "dream" job takes over and is obviously the one thing that you should be doing (although it may take a while to figure out how to become profitable). Your job will be as stable as you make it - and vastly more rewarding than bartending or babysitting somebody else's computer.
I have a very secure job that pays a little less.
I've got great benefits though, and that more than makes up for the lower salary.