As the holiday season approaches, many individuals are turning to side hustles to supplement their income and cover festive expenses. Aditya Sachdeva, a 27-year-old digital marketing professional, exemplifies this trend by increasing his side projects as the year comes to a close. With a full-time job and additional data work, Sachdeva is among the growing number of Americans seeking extra financial support during the holidays.
Recent surveys highlight this shift in consumer behavior. According to Sidehustles.com, an impressive 78% of Americans are either currently engaged in side hustles or planning to start one to help manage holiday costs. Among those surveyed, 59% already hold an additional job, while 19% intend to begin one soon. Similarly, a study by ResumeTemplates.com revealed that 70% of full-time employees are willing to take on extra work for the holidays, with 40% already juggling side gigs and another 30% planning to do so.
Ed Huang, co-founder of Sidehustles.com, noted that demand for side jobs typically triples during the holiday season compared to other times of the year. “We’re seeing the highest peak during Christmas time than throughout the entire year,” he stated. This surge in demand has been particularly noticeable since the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people seek flexible work opportunities.
Popular side hustles include freelance writing, seasonal retail positions, and even unique tasks like gift wrapping services. Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com, emphasized that these opportunities allow individuals to boost their income while maintaining control over their schedules. “Inflation has been a constant worry for many, and a side hustle is a great way to supplement income,” she explained.
However, Toothacre cautions workers to review their employment contracts for any restrictions on outside work. Typically, freelance roles are less likely to conflict with primary employment unless they directly compete with an employer’s business.
As we enter this festive season, it’s clear that side hustles are not just a trend but a vital financial strategy for many Americans looking to ease their holiday spending burdens.
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