I need a second job

Today's savings account balance: $2148.88

Payday!: the day when the financial fruits of my labor hit my bank account and I find myself thinking, "Shit, I can't live off of this."

Which is why I'm currently not living off my paycheck and am instead cohabitating with my soon-to-be ex, who essentially pays the rent because he makes more than three times what I do (turns out that having a successful career is much easier when one does not have a mental illness). Even though the two of us get along well for people who are in the process of splitting up, it's still uncomfortable and awkward. We'll be better off once we have our own spaces.

But the truth is, if I want my own place, I either need to get a better-paying primary job or find a second gig to supplement my current income. My approach is to look for both and apply to anything that makes sense and halfway interests me. A part-time weekend job would be perfect in that it would allow me to continue working at the animal clinic, which I enjoy. Even in the part-time space, though, options seem limited right now. It's going to take some time to figure it out.

On the plus side of cohabitation, I can squirrel away a portion of my income into my own account and put aside the rest for my kid's college fund, a strategy that my ex fully supports. I appreciate his flexibility; I think he realizes that he has a much stronger footing than I do in terms of finances and career and wants to support me in my effort to save. In return, I still do most of the cleaning and cooking. Am I sick of it? Yes. But it seems fair, all things considered.

Speaking of weekend work, it's Saturday, and I picked up a few extra hours this morning by representing my company at a local event. Given the hundreds of people who stopped by our booth, I was emotionally spent by the time I left. But the gig did add to my paycheck. Now I'm ready to kick back and do nothing until Monday.