Congratulations on landing the job, Crash! I'd love to see some of your work when it gets published.
As for making money aside from this new job, I'd try house sitting, baby sitting, or pet sitting. Or advertise your graphic design/web design abilites in the paper and people will call and hire you for small or short term jobs.
Offer to make/maintain/design sites for your local schools, churches, small stores.
Congratulations again.