This Flexible Side Hustle Is Helping Millions Earn Extra Cash — and Might Be 'More Attractive' Than an Office Job Side hustles remain popular for additional income — and have many questioning the 9-5 model altogether.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- More than half of young Americans have a side hustle — and say it's necessary because of the current economy.
- But one side hustle isn't always as flexible and low-effort as the next.
Fifty-five percent of Gen Zers and millennials have a side hustle, and 80% of them say they depend on the additional cash given the current economy, a recent survey from online lending marketplace LendingTree found.
These days, the options for making extra money are near-limitless.
Sell sneakers online. Own and operate vending machines. Answer questions from the comfort of your couch. Or create a product that has the potential to transform the gig from part-time to full — like this mother whose $50 Craigslist purchase led to $1 million in sales or this one who built a practical beach bag that's on track for $100 million revenue this year.
But sometimes those seeking extra funds want something a little more flexible and perhaps lower-effort — like gig work. Such side hustles can be especially appealing because they require minimal or no upfront investment and tend to be reliable income streams for those willing to put in the hours.
In fact, half of people under the age of 45 would leave their full-time job if gig work offered benefits, a new report from workforce management platform and talent marketplace Jitjatjo found.
Flexibility is a major draw, with 63% of those surveyed admitting that setting their own schedule makes gig work "more attractive" than an office job. Additionally, more than half of respondents said they think gig workers are happier than office workers.
"The gig economy shows no sign of slowing growth; flexibility has been a driving factor to join the movement, and offering benefits to gig workers significantly improves retention," Tim Chatfield, co-founder and CEO of Jitjatjo, said in a statement. "We believe that gig workers should have the opportunity to access benefits and protections similar to that of full-time workers by (a) being properly classified as W2 employees and (b) earning access to benefits based on the hours they work."
Seventy-four percent of respondents under 45 believe flexible workers will ultimately fuel America's future economy rather than traditional full-time workers — so those benefits have the potential to become even more critical as Americans flock to side hustles in the gig economy.
