How To Budget For Part-Time Work

There can be many reasons why someone might want to go from full-time to part-time work. It may be for health reasons, family responsibilities, because you want a better work-life balance, and so on. The reason will always be down to you, and you must make the final decision. If you think switching to part-time work is a good idea, there’s one thing to bear in mind – your money and how to budget for part-time work.

Recently, I went from a full-time Police Officer to a Stay-at-home mum and blogger. As much as I wish to work full-time on my blog, it is more part-time and freelance work.

Going from full-time to part-time work, you’re going to be making less money (unless you find a part-time job that pays more than your full-time one. Although they do exist, they’re few and far between), and that means you’re going to have to budget to ensure that a part-time job doesn’t become a big mistake.

Page Contents

My 5 Budgeting Tips For Part-Time Work

Cut Down on Spending
Switch to Free Things
Start Saving Early
Invest in Skill Development
Create Multiple Income Streams
Read on to find out more.

Cut Down On Spending

If you know you will be bringing in less money each month, one of the most important things to do is cut down on your spending. If you find a great part-time job at Social Care People, for example, and you think it would be an ideal fit for you, but before you apply, go through your expenses to ensure it will work.

Note down all the necessary monthly expenses, like your rent or mortgage, utility bills, and any debt repayments. Once you know how much you need to make to pay these bills, you can look at your other expenses. What could you cut out?

In other words, what isn’t necessary? By getting fewer takeaways or cancelling a TV streaming service, you could save a decent amount. That part-time job you love the look of could be much more practical.

Switch To Free Things

Of course, one of the best things about having a part-time job is all the extra time you’ll have to spend with family, hobbies and activities. Still, if those hobbies and activities cost money, it might work out differently than you want. In other words, you could have all the time you wish. If you’re making less money, you still need to be able to enjoy various activities.

However, because you might not have the funds to do some things, you can still do something. There are plenty of free activities you can find once you start looking. Having to shift to free activities could open up new things you’d never considered, which could be something you love.

Start Saving Early

Something else that will help you when you switch, in the short term as you get used to things, is to start putting money aside as soon as possible. Once you’re sure you want to change to part-time work, you can immediately begin to cut down on expenses and put any extra money to one side to ensure you have enough to get on with.

Alternatively, you can use that ‘spare’ money to pay off any outstanding debt, making part-time work much more affordable.

Invest in Skill Development

Transitioning to part-time work often means you have more time to invest in yourself. It is a golden opportunity to enhance or learn new skills.

Investing in skill development makes you more marketable and can open doors to higher-paying part-time opportunities. Whether taking online courses, attending workshops, or obtaining certifications related to your field or interest, enhancing your skills can lead to better job prospects and potentially higher income, even in a part-time role.

This approach secures your financial future and enriches your personal growth and professional value.

Create Multiple Income Streams

Relying on a single part-time income can be risky, especially if unexpected expenses arise. To mitigate this risk, consider creating multiple income streams.

These types include freelance work, starting a passive online business, or investing in income-generating assets like dividend stocks or rental property. The idea is to diversify your income sources so that if one stream dwindles, others can help cushion the financial impact.

By creating multiple income streams, you secure a more stable financial footing and explore different interests and passions, making your work-life balance more rewarding and sustainable.

Budget For Part-Time Work Cash on a beautiful pink marble kitchen countertop

Basic Part-Time Salary Calculator (GBP)

Hourly Wage (£):

Hours Worked Per Week:

Weekly Salary: £0.00

Monthly Salary: £0.00

Yearly Salary: £0.00

Note: All salary figures are calculated before any deductions, taxes, NI and loans. To. be used ONLY as a rough guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs about How to Budget for Part-Time Work

To work out your part-time salary, you must know the hourly rate and the number of hours worked per week. Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked a week, then multiply that figure by the number of weeks worked per year. For example, if you earn £10 per hour and work 20 hours per week, your calculation would be £10 x 20 hours x 52 weeks = £10,400 per year. By working this out it will help you budget for part-time work.

Part-time work is employment with fewer hours per week than a full-time job. It involves working less than the standard working hours, typically less than 35-40 hours per week, depending on the employer’s definition of full-time employment. Part-time workers often have flexible schedules but may receive fewer benefits than full-time employees.

No fixed number of hours makes employment part-time, as it varies by employer and industry. Generally, part-time work is considered any schedule less than full-time employment, usually around 35-40 hours per week. Part-time positions can range from a few hours a week to just under the full-time threshold.

To calculate bank holiday entitlement for part-time workers, start by determining the full-time entitlement. If full-time workers get eight bank holidays off, part-time workers should receive a proportional amount based on their working hours.

Divide the number of hours a part-time worker does in a week by the number of hours a full-time worker does, and multiply this by the full-time bank holiday entitlement.

For instance, if a part-time worker does 20 hours a week and a full-time worker does 40, the calculation is 20/40 x 8 = 4 days of bank holiday entitlement for the part-time worker.

Before you go

Transitioning from full-time to part-time work requires thoughtful planning and strategic financial management. Employing these budgeting tips—cutting down on spending, switching to free activities, starting to save early, investing in skill development, and creating multiple income streams. You can make your part-time work journey financially viable and personally rewarding.

Each of these strategies cushions the impact of reduced hours and enhances your quality of life, offering you more time for family, personal growth, and pursuing passions.

Remember, proactive planning to budget for part-time work is key to a successful transition. Adaptability, and a willingness to explore new opportunities that align with your changing lifestyle and career goals.