"I had a full-time corporate job and a part-time job shortly after college to catch up on debts," wrote Brian. "It was tough, but I had no other responsibilities. Much later, with kids and a demanding career, I had times when I felt I had to get a second job, but the thought of being away from my family was unbearable, and I knew it would cost more in happiness and health than it could be worth."
"Thank you for reminding me about the added costs that come with a second job," wrote Melissa. "After paying for parking and baby-sitting, at the end of the week sometimes I'll just break even, and I'm so exhausted I think, 'What am I doing this for?' "
"I have three at-home businesses and a full-time at-home job as a mom," wrote Nicole. "Busy busy."
"I worked three jobs at one time to raise my son," Marnie wrote.
Nora wrote, "I have a second job and for a while I had a third. It's in the same industry as my primary and my main job doesn't like that I have a part-time job. They want me to be even more flexible to cover their hours. And my two college grads are back home working two jobs themselves."
Carol was grateful for our expert's advice on looking into accounting or receptionist jobs.
"I always assumed retail or waitressing would be the only option but now I'm going to look into some part-time bean counting," she wrote. "Thanks for the tip!"
"I actually kind of liked having a second job," wrote Cate. "I'd have a crap day at my 'real' job, and going to the second job was the last thing I'd want to do, but I always ended up grateful for the distraction and glad I didn't just go home and stew about it. I usually met fun people, too."
Stacy wrote, "I have a part-time job teaching religious school. It's extremely rewarding, great money and minimal time away from my kids. Would highly recommend it if available."
"One Christmas things looked so bleak, I was going to get a second job just to get presents for my wife and four kids," wrote Marcus. "But my wife said, 'Forget the presents this year. Let's just all be together.' I wound up giving her a packet of Bic pens."
Twitter: @jenweigel
