Cut the pocket first
Cut the pocket before you add work
A weekly hour limit is the mortise. Extra work without that pocket splits the week.
The mortise is cut before the tenon is offered. Hours work the same way.
- Write the extra hours you can keep when the day job is heavy.
- Count messages, quotes and payment chasing as hours.
- If a job does not fit, move the date. Do not enlarge the pocket under load.
Read your employment contract for outside-work clauses before you take paid side work.
Educational content only. Not financial, tax or legal advice; talk to a qualified professional about your situation.