More full-time workers in fields like real estate and tech are turning to side hustles to stay afloat financially.
According to Kira Caban of Instawork in an interview with FOX Business, younger workers are driving the new trend, with 18–24-year-olds making up 40% of recent signups—double the share from two years ago.
“For many, flexible work is helping them cover the rising costs of daily essentials and giving them the financial breathing room to still enjoy things like a summer vacation without tapping into savings they may want to preserve in case the economic uncertainty continues,” said Caban.
A March LendingTree survey found 40% of Americans have a side hustle, with 61% saying they couldn’t afford life without it. LendingTree’s Matt Schultz, noting that a full-time job often isn’t enough to live comfortably, put it quite simply: “The sad truth is that life is crazy-expensive in 2025, and for many people, their 9-to-5 job just isn’t enough for them to live comfortably.”
Schultz added: “Even if people are able to pay their bills and stay current on their debt payments, there’s often not much to put towards things like emergency funds, retirement savings and other financial goals, much less toward fun things like concert tickets or a summer vacation.”
Schultz says side hustles can help build savings, pay off debt, and offer a backup income—but warns they often require upfront costs and aren’t guaranteed to succeed. He advises pursuing them with realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the risks.
