My Other Second job

Post Publish Edit: All cash is locked in a safe, and we have a security system with cameras that we use daily without exception.

Not too long ago, I talked about my "second job." The one where I monitor detention a few days a week. It's not really a second job, but it does help pay for Speedy's pills. Since schools are closed, nobody is earning detention. That's wonderful of course, but it also means that I am not getting my usual end of the year supplemental pay check. 

Given that the nation is pretty much on lockdown due to COVID-19, there aren't any shows either which means I still have "plenty of money" in my budget for pills. While this is true, I am still preparing for show season. I am also trying to get ahead of things by saving every non-essential dollar that I can.

My "money at hand" savings account.

One way I do that is to save cash in envelopes earmarked for certain things. While I do have a regular savings account that I add to each month, I've found that saving cash in an envelope keeps that money from being spent. It's easy to make an online transfer, but not so easy on my conscience to grab a twenty from an envelope. You'd think that a cash envelope would be easier to pilfer from, but it's not. To me, it feels like stealing.

The first four envelopes, Newt Registration (which is over $800 annually!!!!!), Vet, Show, and Trip, all fall within my monthly budget. I know how much to save in each envelope each month, and I am religious about it. The Prascend envelope is the one that gets paid for by my extra jobs.

April's box is paid for!

Besides detention, I also coordinate my school's annual Battle of the Books team. My district provides a small stipend for the teacher who runs the program. I make about $200 a year. While I've run the program with my team all year, the actual BOB competition has been cancelled due to COVID-19. I don't think the kids know that yet, but they are going to be hugely disappointed when they find out. I am not sure yet if I am going to get paid or not, but that and the spring detentions that I would have supervised were going to pay for Speedy's summer box of prascend.

​His April box, which I just bought, was paid for by yet another job I do. This one is legit and not at all related to teaching. About a year ago, an immigration attorney that I know asked me if I would be interested in doing some writing for some of her clients. She's also a friend which is how she knows I like to write.  

Internet photo

I know nothing about the law and wasn't sure I was even remotely qualified to help, but I agreed to take the work. What with attorney-client privilege and the confidentiality agreement I've signed, I can't say much about what I do, but essentially, I interview her clients and write their stories. Of course, I am writing about specific information that they give, but really, all they need is someone who can put their words together without making too many spelling and grammar mistakes.

Another internet photo.

It has turned out to be the most rewarding and fascinating experience. The stories that the clients share always tug at my heart. I get so invested in their journeys that it's hard to pass off my work and be done. My part is only a very small one, so I don't get to hear what eventually happens. The cases that the attorney takes aren't resolved quickly. They take years to process which means I never hear the end result.

Just this week I finished with the most recent case. Unfortunately, the attorney probably won't have another case for me to work on for a while. I get an email every few months, but it might be even longer for the next one. COVID-19 is forcing a lot people out of their jobs; jobs that don't pay when the worker is at home. Immigration issues are expensive to resolve, so being out of work isn't going to make that process any easier.

So until detention starts back up in the fall, I might have to keep my ears on alert for a third second job. Let me know if you hear of anything.