Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#1

Post by someuser4234 » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:07 PM UTC

I find it bizarre having to ask this question because by almost all standards I have a high income (let's say between ~$150-180k). I'm comfortable and not under any financial duress, but even at that income I'm saving very, very little living in a HCOL and high tax city.

I'm a senior level engineer and good at what I do. I'd love to find some part-time way to make some cash in the evenings and weekends that doesn't require a long 6+ month contract or w\e. Something where I can jump in, do the job, and jump out.

Upwork is close but I'm finding that many people posting there are looking for things like full mobile apps for $400 which is absurd.

Where can I find this sort of work?

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#2

Post by TotoHorner » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:08 PM UTC

Are you in the US?

If you're a senior dev making < $180k, then you can probably double your salary by joining a FAANG. Probably the easiest route.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#3

Post by ss108 » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:12 PM UTC

TotoHorner wrote: post #2

Are you in the US? If you're a senior dev making < $180k, then you can probably double your salary by joining a FAANG. Probably the easiest route.

Is this still true? Aren't most such companies freezing hiring?

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#4

Post by someuser4234 » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:12 PM UTC

TotoHorner wrote: post #2

Are you in the US? If you're a senior dev making < $180k, then you can probably double your salary by joining a FAANG. Probably the easiest route.

I like my job so would prefer to stay at my current employer.

That said, I did get an interview with Meta but it was cancelled due to the hiring freezes. Is Google hiring again?

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#5

Post by TotoHorner » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:44 PM UTC

someuser4234 wrote: post #4

TotoHorner wrote: post #2

Are you in the US? If you're a senior dev making < $180k, then you can probably double your salary by joining a FAANG. Probably the easiest route.

I like my job so would prefer to stay at my current employer. That said, I did get an interview with Meta but it was cancelled due to the hiring freezes. Is Google hiring again?

I don't know but this is constantly in discussion on Blind, so I'd check there.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#6

Post by Shindi » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:50 PM UTC

> let's say between ~$150-180k

> even at that income I'm saving very, very little living in a HCOL and high tax city

Not the answer you want to hear but the problem is your spending. I have no idea what your life is like, but I was able to safe comfortably making 100K living in SF. Keep in mind the median HOUSEHOLD income in NYC is 67K.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#7

Post by joemazerino » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 4:57 PM UTC

Find some cash work. Contracting, freelancing, service-based work.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#8

Post by graypegg » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 5:04 PM UTC

Are you sure you couldn’t find better benefit in reducing expenses? A second job is exchanging more of your time to add to an already high salary, which seems like it might take more effort than cutting a few extra expenses you might be spending.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#9

Post by wikibob » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 5:13 PM UTC

someuser4234 wrote: post #4

TotoHorner wrote: post #2

Are you in the US? If you're a senior dev making < $180k, then you can probably double your salary by joining a FAANG. Probably the easiest route.

I like my job so would prefer to stay at my current employer. That said, I did get an interview with Meta but it was cancelled due to the hiring freezes. Is Google hiring again?

If you want more savings your absolute number one priority should be to get a higher total compensation.

http://Levels.fyi for true TC numbers

http://Blind.com for gossip on the industry

http://Leetcode.com to be able to pass interviews.

Re: Ask HN: Finding a second part-time job for some extra cash?

#10

Post by jjice » Wed, Oct 19, 2022, 5:14 PM UTC

graypegg wrote: post #8

Are you sure you couldn’t find better benefit in reducing expenses? A second job is exchanging more of your time to add to an already high salary, which seems like it might take more effort than cutting a few extra expenses you might be spending.

I'd start here too. It isn't just increasing the amount you can save, but also increases the power of every dollar saved, since you need less to subsist now (assuming you stay at a sustainable reduce level of expenses). Your savings rate is a big talk in the financial independence community for this reason. Even if you're not interested in retiring early, Mr Money Mustache's article "The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement" [1] really puts that ratio into perspective. Just the idea that lower expenses is more than just another dollar saved was really powerful for me and made me feel much more in control over my finances.

[1] https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-si...