“This morning I got up at 3:30, drove to Fayette and worked my snack food distributing business,” he said. “I came to work at Lowe’s at 1 p.m., and I’ll get done at 10 p.m. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs and be here at Lowe’s at noon.”

Manning, married with two sons and a stepson, said anyone who works two jobs — or three in his case — has to be energetic.

Preston Stringer of Ridgeland works seven 12-hour days as a pharmacy technician at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and then he’s off for seven days. During the week he’s off, he works four days at Vintage Time Works clock and watch repair in Ridgeland.

“I find it fascinating,” he said. “It’s something I’m learning to do.”

Stringer, who is single, said the extra cash is good, too.

“You can travel and do other things,” he said.

He said it’s hard to find a second job where you can work every other week.

Cook advises anyone considering a second job to make sure it won’t conflict with full-time employment and to have a clear idea about why it is important. “Otherwise it can become drudgery,” she said.

Having a second job can mean less time for family and relationships, she said. And, many times, a second job is difficult to quit because most people get used to the added income, she said.

Cook advises clients to inform primary employers about a part-time job if it will last longer than a few weeks and be in a highly visible location. You wouldn’t want a co-worker to inform your boss you’re moonlighting, she said.

McCollum said he’s had no problems working two jobs. He said his boss at Fenian’s works with his schedule.

“They cater to my National Guard duties,” he said.

Working two jobs allows him to meet new people and the extra money comes in handy, he said.

“Everybody tips at lunch, but lunch is so fast,” McCollum said. “It’s $2 here and $2 there. If you can turn 15 tables at $2 each, that’s enough to buy a tank of gas for the Toyota.”

McCollum works Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to midnight as an aircraft electrician with the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift Wing. “I maintain the electrical and environmental systems on the C-17 Globemaster,” he said.