by Hope
Evidently I’ve gotten a pretty good reputation as a substitute teacher. I’m now booking 1-2 days a week – woot, woot! After taxes, I bring in about $69 per day. And I’ve finally worked it out with my day job so it doesn’t mess too much up.
I’m only taking regular sub jobs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This leaves the rest of the week open for calls with clients. For teachers I have subbed for before, I’m taking note of their planning periods, so if they do need me on a day when I have calls, I can make sure their planning period and my call schedule are aligned before I take it.
It’s a win-win!
And I do really enjoy subbing. Even those classes where I actually have to teach, I can get my work done during the planning period and lunch time.
I think if things were different I might even consider going back and getting a teaching certificate. But I think all the red tape and standards would be very discouraging to me. I’m much more of a do my own thing, my own way kind of teacher. From what I’ve seen, the school systems do not encourage or appreciate that style…which I do understand. But that would take the joy out of it for me.
I’m still hoping to pick up some side gigs on Rover.com but no bites yet. I think that may be something else I explore someday…boarding dogs at my home. I would need a fenced yard for that. But maybe someday…
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
That’s great. Focus on your strengths and stop trying to diversity.
I’d give up on Rover (there doesn’t seem to be any demand, and you don’t have a fenced yard.) Focus on your business and the subbing. Maybe try to do an extra day or two of subbing per month instead of hoping for clients on Rover.
To be clear, I think it’s great to have several jobs/sources of income. But not too many, unless it’s truly passive income, and Rover isn’t.
You seem to have two good income streams these days, so focus on them.
I am an adjunct professor. Last year I had 4 jobs/income streams: 2 teaching jobs, doing my DH’s books, and ESL examining. I had been doing the strict minimum at the examining job for 3 or 4 years, just to keep my accreditations current. There was constant conflict with my regular teaching jobs, and that one always got short shrift.
I just gave that examining job up. I know I won’t lose any income, because that will allow me to put my time/energy towards the other 3 more lucrative jobs.