Years ago, I worked Sunday brunch at a busy Manhattan restaurant. I left the shift approximately $250 richer, feeling beat, but in a good, hard-earned way. The next morning, my alarm would go off, and I’d rise and prepare for the first of five days in the office. My second job allowed me to travel a reasonable amount, sock some money away in an IRA, and enjoy frequent alcohol-fueled dinners with my friends at upscale spots.
My limited experience with a part-time job meant I had no comprehension of the possibilities and opportunities an extra job could provide in addition to cash. In fact, when I started speaking to my Muse co-workers, I thought I’d hear stories that were similar to mine. I’d come across bartenders, babysitters, and dog-walkers — people who liked their day job but couldn’t exactly afford the lifestyle they wanted based on that work alone. How wrong I was.