News 12 at 6, July 10, 2008

AUGUSTA---Times are tough for just about everyone and money is tight. That's why many of you may be looking for second jobs to make ends meet. Finding some extra income isn't tough if you're willing to put in the work. And that's why a lot of folks are taking a second look at getting a second job.

Kristen Berry puts in a good amount of hours every week at her office job, but with the price of everything going up, she needed something else.

"Extra money. I'm about to start school in August and I need money," she said.

So with the help of a job placement service, she found those extra hours and extra dollars she needed at Atlanta Bread Company.

"Now I'm working as many hours as I can trying to balance between the two," she said.

And Kristen is not the only one going through this situation.

Certainly things are not as good as they used to be. If you're looking for extra money to make ends meet. Finding it may not be as hard as you think.

Times are tight, but lots of businesses are still hiring. Consider this, the unemployment rate is low here in the Augusta area. That means jobs are there. If you look hard enough you can find something. Even if you already have a job.

"It's not so risky hiring someone with a job cause you know that they're doing things to keep the job they already have," said Peak Employment Solutions' Michael Frazier.

Frazier said he's placed several dozen people in second jobs over the past few months. The market is there and that's good news for people whose budgets are stretched thin.

"Some households that required 2 incomes, now require 3." he said.

The opportunities are there. Which is good news for people like Kristen.

"It's helped me a lot," she said.