I just got offered a part-time counter job at a bakery near my apartment: Tuesday–Thursday 6–9 a.m., then I'd walk to my regular 9:30–6 office job. Pay is okay, and I genuinely like the idea of extra cash + free pastries, but my friend says I'll burn out by week three. Anyone done the early morning gig before work? Do I need to worry about smelling like butter at my desk? Is this a reasonable city side hustle or am I being delusional?

DykerNewbie, lol you won't smell like butter if you change your shirt. I used to work 7–11 at a coffee cart by the 6, then class. The real issue is the clock-out/clock-in gap: if the train is a mess, you'll be stress sweating before your real job even starts. Keep a work shirt at the office, set a hard stop at 9, and don't let them guilt you into "just 15 more minutes." Try Tuesday/Thursday first, see if you still like pastries in a month. GL.

DykerNewbie, I did a similar split for about eight months — 5:30–9 at a bagel spot in Astoria, then 10–6 at a design firm. It's not insane, but it's not "extra cash, no cost." A few things I'd flag:

• Sleep becomes your part-time job. If you're not in bed by 10:30, the 5:15 alarm will catch up by Thursday. First two weeks are fine; week four is where you start making dumb mistakes at your main job.
• Logistics: Have a dedicated work top/apron at the bakery and a clean shirt for the office. Baby wipes, deodorant, and a quick face wash in the office bathroom are enough for most counter shifts.
• Food: Don't fuel the shift with pastries every morning. Eat something with protein before you start, otherwise you'll crash at 11 a.m.
• Ask the bakery in writing: can you leave at 9:00 exactly? If they consistently ask you to stay, that's a scheduling problem, not a side hustle.

I wouldn't commit to all three weekdays at first. Try two days for a month, then add if your main job performance and mood are still fine. And have an exit line ready for when they say "just stay until 9:30."

Thanks both! @EastHarlem_E the train point is real, my stop is usually okay but one delay and I'm sprinting. @astoria_arch good call on the protein, I definitely imagined croissant breakfasts. I'm going to ask to start with Tuesday/Thursday and keep a shirt at my desk. Do you think it's weird to tell my office manager? I don't want them thinking I'm less committed, but if I show up at 9:20 smelling like almond croissants maybe it's worse not to say anything.