[IwannabeaCPA2017]

Hey guys,
I know this exam should be my top priority but it has really drained me financially and mentally. I want to be done asap but with my job I’m not really making much and with a mortgage and tons of other bills to pay I’m living from paycheck to paycheck. I don’t dine out for lunch and dinner (always cook at home). Has anyone ever worked a second job while studying for the exam? If I were to get a part time it would only be for few hours on weekends.

If anyone were in similar situation what did you do? Any response are appreciated! Thanks.

[kdawg22]

It all comes down to how many hours you would be working between both jobs. I have only worked one full time job while studying, but I figured I share my experience from this past tax season. I was working at least 60 hour work weeks. I was able to keep up with studying during this time but it was rather draining. Any free time I would basically spend studying. I would wake up a hour earlier than I had to just to study. I would study during my lunch break and so on. I was able to balance this from January until March 10th when the Q1 closed. I feel like if I had to do it that for a prolonged period either my studying or job performance would be negatively impacted. So I guess another question is how long would you plan and having both jobs and studying?

[Meg267]

Personally, I'd wait until your done with the CPA exam. Looks like if you don't pass soon, you'll loose BEC. Once you finish the exam, it will free up quite a bit of time for you to get a second job if need be. You only have another month or two, as your AUD score will be released in August and your FAR score will be released in September.

[Missy]

If you have other options don't do it.

But I can tell you while I was taking the exams I had a 45 hour per week job, plus a 10 hour per week part time job (at Kohls on the weekend), was taking 2 classes for my masters degree, had 2 kids, a husband and 2 dogs.

Fun? Nope quite the opposite. Every stinkin second was miserable and torture. I was a raving lunatic.

But I survived, passed, got licensed.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[M123]

If you think about it – that is a very short timeframe. It will come and go before you know it – if you forfeit passing to make a few bucks – will you be able to live with that? Otherwise – the best bet is to double down on studying to give yourself the best shot.

You have any skills? Here are a few things you can do to make a few bucks TODAY:

– Uber/lyft.

– Handyman – place an ad on Craigslist – paint, gardening, any other skill you might have

– Rent a room out

– Sell stuff you don't use – also on CL

– Tutor – that's right – offer to tutor CPA preppers or even SAT preppers

– Network – find networking events with your local state CPA society and others – find people of the same cloth – ask them what they need help with – let them inspire you. Talk to the right person – you might get a “maybe you can help me”.

Most importantly – think positive thoughts – this too shall pass – it's not permanent – and the upside is huge. Beans and rice are more worthy badge of honor than a tattoo to show your commitment.

Speaking of beans and rice – go scorched earth on costs. Turn OFF cable and any recurring credit card charges (that means Netflix), go to the “libary” or Starbucks for the interwebs, no new gadgets, see if you can qualify for reduced electricity or phone costs. You'd be surprised how fast $10 here and $10 there comes up to savings to give you air. Kids don't like it- they're working as team for Daddy (Mommy?). Get on board. Christmas will be better if they do.

Please have a look at the Dave Ramsey baby steps on his web site if you haven't before. He can help you prioritize what bills are most important when times are tough, and other ways to deal with financial challenges.

[Anonymous]

As Missy said, if you have other options don't do it.

I recently started in audit and I have a part time job. I do my main job and a minimum of 20 hours per week for my part time job.

The good thing about my part time job is that it's online teaching so while I can somewhat make my own hours (minimum hours per week requirement and peak hours factor into the decision as well), I can do it from home so there's no extra commute and getting time off for exams is easier. It still affects having a life, study time and plain old sleep.

I have a very strict schedule. I either go to sleep right after regular work then wake up in the night to study, or study as soon as I get home and sleep until as late in the morning as I can push it so that I'm not late for my regular job. This is on non-work days of course.

With exams, work and part-time work, I barely have a life (e.g. I went for all you can eat wings with my friends for the first time in 3.5 weeks last week and it was bliss).

If you absolutely need a part time job, like I do, look into an online job. Teaching English to foreigners can be pretty decent, try a site like VIPKid if you're interested in that. Google gives decent results as well. I don't use VIPKid but I've read that it's ok money for a part time work from home job.

Having a part time job and a full time job is also the equivalent to having a family and working full time (obviously having a family is more time consuming, especially if the children are young).

It's definitely doable. It's a year or slightly more of misery in exchange for a better life.

[Author]

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