I've been looking for additional ways to make some money/fill my time. A couple of the things I've looked into are polynesian dance and coaching cheer. Both of these are ads I found on Craigslist. My first polynesian dance rehearsal is Sunday, and that really only pays 10/hr for actual gigs, so I have to decide whether it's worth the drive for rehearsals/gigs. It does sound like a lot of fun and not too commitment heavy, so I may give it a shot for a bit and see how I like it.
The cheerleading position is a bit tougher choice. I currently coach for the local youth cheerleading team in the fall and winter in a strictly volunteer capacity. While it is still not certain, I received a tentative offer to assistant coach the varsity squad of a local high school. Given my full-time job and living arrangement, I don't have a substantial amount of free time. However, it seems like practices will somewhat fit in with my schedule and both my job and babysitting family are flexible and willing to work with me. Here's where I stand:
The Pros: It's paid. It's coaching at a higher skill level than recreational which would be more challenging and fun for me. I'd get to choreograph on a more competitive level.
The Cons: The pay is paltry, especially considering that I'd be adding a 25 minute commute twice/day 2-3 times/week. I'd be leaving my current girls, some of whom have been with me from the beginning. I'd be losing the friends I've built in the other adult coaches. The older girls in my current organization may find themselves without a coach as I'm usually the only one willing to coach the older girls.
Any thoughts/advice? How did you decide whether or not a part-time job was worth the effort?
Are part-time jobs worth it?
April 4th, 2014 at 05:19 pm
April 11th, 2014 at 08:11 pm 1397247096
If the part-time job is not bringing in much for the added expense I'd say its not worth it. As far as the coaching I wouldn't go for it if the cost out ways the pay. The dancing gig seems more promising. A part-time job will likely not get you rich (I only made 6K at mine last year.) But it can help you build an emergency fund, help you pick up skills you did not have previously and serve as a source of income should your full time gig fall through.
You really have to decide how much time you can devote to it, and what you are going to do with the money from the job. Since getting my contract gig all my checks with the exception of maybe three or four for tires on the car and my wedding, have gone into my emergency fund.
Crunch the numbers figure out a plan and reevaluate.