Other nationwide surveys show that the scale of the phenomenon is even greater. Marketwatch estimates that Already 51 percent Americans involve additional work to keep up with the growing costs of life.
Although the participation of people with a second source of income slightly waves from year to year, the tendency still indicates that Almost two fifth of all employees cannot rely only on a basic one -time salary.
This year's Side Hustle Survey report quoted by Benefitspro reveals that 38 percent Americans have at least two classes, and 65 percent of them would prefer only one thing – if only it was enough to live.
Why, then, why more and more people “get” the budget after hours? Inflation and overall pour are the main culprits today.
Life is too expensive. Americans must earn some extra money
As much as 70 percent Respondents in the Lendingtree survey admitted that prices increased their dependence on additional income. The participants of the Benefitspro survey say in a similar tone: 49 percent started a second job due to poor economic situation, and 42 percent It explicitly indicated inflation as an impulse for action.
The trend is not reserved exclusively for people with lower earnings. Bankrate data show that almost half of the generation with and 44 percent Millenials have additional work on the side, but among the well -paid (over $ 100,000 per year) every fourth person also earns. Some do it to pay off debts or build an emergency fundpart – to finance renovation, holidays or investments.
How much does the second work really bring? The average American “Hustler” declares $ 891 Extra monthly – results from the July Bankrate survey. The median, however, is lower: in the Benefitspro data, half of the earlier are around $ 400, although the average conquered by the best -earners exceed $ 1,200.
What can you earn some extra money? Popular ways
Making forms are very diverse. Next to classic freelance or online courses people They sell clothes on the internet, rent a free room, fill out paid surveys, and even “squeeze” discounts from credit cards.
This mosaic of small activities translates into an average of 43 percent. monthly budget of people living from the first to the first, which emphasizes how important this stream of income became.
Economists point out that the boom on the earlier goes hand in hand with the development of Gig Economy platforms and remote work culture. Applications make it easier to start – just a phone call and a few clicks to jump on the orders market. However, the other side of the coin is a greater fatigue and blur of borders between private and professional life. It is about 60-hour working weekswhich become the norm for some people.
The image emerging from the latest research is quite unambiguous. At high prices of apartments, education and healthcare, even a stable full -time job ceases to guarantee financial security. Americans from various income groups are more and more seriously treating Side Hustle not as a hobby, but the other leg of the household budget. Until real wages do not catch up with the cost of living, and inflation will not return to the goal, I make the movement “because I have to” remain one of the most characteristic phenomena on the American labor market.
