More workers forced to try moonlighting

In a bright job-networking move, Lattomus put the word out to everyone he knew that he was looking for more work and ended up hearing about a part-time food instructor’s job at Delaware Technical & Community College through an associate.

"It’s enough to help cover my bills for now. I’ve been trying to sell my house, which was appraised at $303,000," he says. He’s already dropped the price to below $300,000 and expects to just break even given how much he owes on the home.

Adding to his financial strife are fuel prices. "It now costs me $50 to fill up the tank on my Chevy Blazer," he laments.

For many workers, concerns about escalating prices and the struggle to keep current with hefty mortgages won’t dissipate any time soon, says Economy.com’s Faucher. "I think it will get worse before it gets better," he says of the economy.

But we can’t just blame the economy for second-job fever.

Manisha Thakor, co-author of "On My Own Two Feet," says it’s also driven by consumerism.

"While some hard-working people are forced to take on second jobs because their primary jobs pay barely a living wage, there is another subsegment of second-jobbers who are facing the consequences of economic indigestion brought on by a supersizing of their consumptive appetites," she says.

"What is considered ‘normal’ in terms of size of house, festivities surrounding weddings, the amount of clothes in one's closet and food portions — all are significantly larger than in the 1950s or 1960s," she says. "The result is not only second chins but also second jobs."

It might be time to reassess your spending, she adds.

"We tell people to think about your income like it’s a pie with four slices," she explains. "A healthy pie has typically at least a quarter for taxes, 15 percent for savings, and that leaves you with 60 percent for everything else."

If you’re pie is out of whack, she says, you’ll have to spend less or earn more.

No matter what the reason, if you’re forced to start looking for gig No. 2, be smart about it.

"Rather than doing something for 10 hours a week you hate (just) to stay afloat, find something that enhances what you already do, or enhances your skills," advises Marci Alboher, author of "One Person/Multiple Careers."

And be careful when choosing your second job. You don’t want to end up doing something that diminishes you in the eyes of your employers or clients. "Cocktail waitressing, for example, could be the death of you if it’s discovered by the wrong person," Alboher says.

For Nicely, who works in public relations by day and waitresses at night, the reaction to her new job has been positive so far. "Everyone has been extremely supportive including my manager," she says.

And the extra money has helped take some of the financial pressure off. She waitresses from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. three days a week and can make as much as $200 in tips on Friday nights.

The key is making sure you don’t take on too many hours, or you’ll end up unemployed from both jobs.

"When one takes on a second job that is added stress to oneself, family and the first and second job," says Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute in Atlanta. "Absolutely, both jobs could be jeopardized because of the incredible amount of increased stress.”

Stress warning signs, according to Hall, include sleep problems, lack of productivity,  headaches, stomach issues and depression.

Nicely admits juggling two jobs gets to her sometimes, but she is managing so far. "I grew up with a strong work ethic," she says. "You have to make ends meet, so you do what you have to do."

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