Category Earning

As the economy stays uncertain, more Americans are turning to side hustles to make extra money and find new career paths. With rising costs and job market shifts, many are using freelance platforms like Fiverr to offer in-demand skills. Jobs that involve artificial intelligence, content creation (like videos and blogs), and search engine optimization (SEO) are especially popular. These skills not only offer more chances to earn, but also come with higher pay—AI-related freelance work can pay up to $18,000 more than similar jobs without AI. For people looking for both security and new opportunities, these digital side gigs are becoming a smart move.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many people are turning to side hustles to make extra money without giving up their main jobs. According to the 2025 State of Gig Work report by Zety, most gig workers are working more hours, and over half now depend on their side jobs for the majority of their income. This is largely due to economic pressure and limited job opportunities. To help busy people earn extra cash, the article “No Time? 5 Side Hustles Perfect for Busy Schedules” suggests flexible options like freelancing in digital areas such as writing, graphic design, or video editing. These side hustles allow people to use their existing skills and work on their own time.

In 2025, many popular side hustles, especially gig jobs like rideshare driving and food delivery, are becoming harder to rely on for extra income. As the Trump Administration imposes new tariffs—10% on most imports and 25% on vehicles—the cost of buying and maintaining a car has shot up. With new cars now averaging over $49,000, many gig workers are struggling to keep up with expenses like gas and repairs. On top of rising costs, more people are entering these jobs, making it harder to find steady work. As a result, pay has either stayed the same or gone down, and many workers are now putting in longer hours just to earn the same amount as before.

As the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to support the economy, more Americans are turning to side hustles to earn extra money. High living expenses, job uncertainty, and easier access to digital work platforms have led over half of U.S. adults to take on gig work, like freelancing or delivery services. The trend is especially strong among younger people—nearly three out of four Gen-Z individuals have a side hustle. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are also opening up new types of work, from online tutoring to content creation, making it easier for people to earn on their own terms. This shift shows how today’s workers are adapting to economic change by finding new ways to make money outside of traditional 9-to-5 jobs.

Generation Z is changing the way people think about work in the United States. Instead of sticking to one full-time job, many Gen Z workers are choosing side hustles and freelance gigs to earn money. In fact, by 2025, about 70% of Gen Z professionals will be working side jobs, and over half of them prefer having multiple income sources instead of just one. This shift is helping grow the gig economy, which is now worth over $1.3 trillion. A big reason for this change is concern about job security due to automation and artificial intelligence. As a result, many Gen Z workers are building flexible “portfolio careers” that mix steady jobs with creative or entrepreneurial side projects. This trend is not only transforming how young people work but also changing the overall U.S. economy.

As the U.S. economy in 2025 faces high inflation and an unpredictable job market, more people are turning to side hustles to make ends meet and grow their income. A popular article from September outlines 24 side jobs that can each bring in $2,000 or more per month. These include creative ideas like selling rare houseplants, coaching sports privately, and running pop-up food stands. Many of these side hustles come from everyday hobbies and skills, showing how Americans are getting resourceful and entrepreneurial to stay financially stable. The uncertain political and economic climate has pushed people to take control of their income, often by using short-term chances to earn money in flexible, creative ways.