Back in the day, and I am talking way back, it was not unusual for a father to have more than one job to make ends meet. Dad might work all day at an office job somewhere, wrap up his 8 hours and then head to a warehouse and drive a fork lift for 4 or 5 hours before calling it a “work” day.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in December of 2011 more than 7 million people in this country were holding 2 or more jobs. That’s 5% of the total workforce. What was also interesting is that more than half of all multiple job holders are women. Considering how bad the economy has been, and continues to be, it’s safe to say those number are even higher.

I can speak from experience. Just because I work in television doesn’t mean I make a lot of money. I also happen to have 3 growing children, one on the way to college and an ex wife. All of them cost me money. That is just a fact. Each month I need to make so much of the green stuff to make sure all needs are met. Problem is, after the government takes its share, there is not enough of my main job’s paycheck to take care of all the needs.

So at 53 I have become an Anchor/Reporter/Construction worker. It’s true. Four mornings a week I strap on my work boots and Levi’s and head to various locations to work for a guy who remodels homes, a house flipper. And we are talking basic labor. I have ripped out framing and dry wall, removed insulation (make sure you have a mask), sanded textured walls (mask also required), installed bathroom fixtures, put in door stops, I think you get the point.

But the real point is whether you are in front of a camera or swinging a hammer, work is work. Every job I have ever had has had parts of it that have been very hard. I am amused by the saying “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life”. Really? Sorry, but I’m not buying that. I have had some great jobs along the way but I guarantee you there were days when I did not exactly enjoy myself. Bottom line, we work because the vast majority of us have to.

In a crazy way, I actually enjoy the work. There is something therapeutic about doing demo work, as in demolish. Taking a sledge-hammer and smashing a hole in a wall, or taking out some kitchen cabinets is a great stress reliever. I also like the fact that I don’t have to think too much about what I am attempting to accomplish…”That wall must come down, hit with hammer” about covers it.

The other point of all this is no matter what job you are doing, learn from it. I have been at this part time endeavor for a couple of months and I have learned a lot about basic construction, like the black wire is the hot one (learned that one the hard way). I have also soaked up all I can about the house flipping business. I have actually thought about getting in to the house flipping business. This is a good time to do it with prices for re-sale homes slowly starting to rise.

Who knows maybe I am destined to combine all of my career experience and host one of my own cable house flipping shows. I already have the title ready to go…”Flip Your House to the Moon” with Sean Mooney. Catchy huh?