From Monday to Friday, Cindi Dionicio snoozes at at least one of the 3:30am alarms before awake. She packs Victoria’s Secret tote bag with Victoria’s Secret tote bag with office shoes and scrubs needed for her dental reception work later that day. It’s a 15-minute drive to Dunkin Donuts, where she works in her opening shift.
She then plays a “record.”
“Good morning, Happy Monday,” she tells her 113,000 followers. “In addition to the two 25-year-olds work, please work with me as a 25-year-old who owns a small cleaning company.”
Gen Z employees are increasingly choosing to take on multiple jobs and side gigs that are often driven by financial needs. Creators like Dionicio are taking it a step further, posting about the fuss on their side on Tiktok, making additional cash and connecting with other young people in the process.
These creators use social media platforms to “examine their living experiences and find solidarity in what can feel like a ruthless economic system,” says financial therapist Lindsay Brian Podvin. “This is my reality. I’m tired and I try my best. I still care about my skincare routine.”
A cohort born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is increasingly concerned about their financial situation. Many are plagued by student loans and are taking part in slowing the US labor market amid the surge in cost of living. They feel unsure about reaching financial milestones, such as owning a home.
“We don’t want to live in our workplaces. That shouldn’t be the norm for buying a house or passing by,” says Kahvon Frank-Morrell, 22, who works at Walmart and works as a custodian. “I don’t think everyone needs to do two jobs to move on or lead a basic life.”
“Constant fatigue”
Frank Morell aims to save enough to buy a house by the age of 24. He leaves the house every morning at 9am. Sometimes I don’t go home until 5am the next day – sometimes I sleep from 6am to 8am after two work shifts.
“It feels like constant fatigue,” says Frank Morell. “But overall, if you look at the salary, it tends to be worth it.”
Jane Esan, 26, based in Toronto, works two full-time jobs as a marketing specialist and call centre employee. After her second full-time internship at university, she realized she didn’t enjoy working in a corporate environment and began prioritizing how to retire early.
“It just hit me, I won’t be able to do this for the next 45 years,” says Esang. “Many young people are looking for more flexibility, freedom and independence.”
She has worked multiple jobs for five years and says she has days to go without moving or watching the sun. She began experiencing severe headaches in 2022, resulting in multiple doctor appointments and MRIs. She realized it was stress-related until her headaches quickly disappeared on the winter 2022 cruise.
“When I exercise and see the sun, I have to sacrifice my sleep for it,” Esan says. “My health has been seriously affected.”
Monetize Side Hustle with Tiktok
In June 2023, Frank Morell created a Tiktok account to post videos such as “Two jobs to save $60,000” and “Two jobs to work in two jobs.”
The “Get Ready With Me” and “Day in the Life” formats have become popular styles in the influencer economy. Consulting company McKinsey values its value to exceed $21 billion.
If the comments section about user confession videos is full of support, you can build a sense of solidarity and peer connection. However, the influx of videos can contribute to unhealthy comparisons about one’s financial situation and attract unrealistic work schedules, according to financial therapist Nate Athul.
“Hustle culture has always been something, but I think it’s getting more romantic because of something like social media,” Asulu says.
Esang will use her platform to advocate for economic independence and retire early from the movement, a move that prioritizes intense savings and budgeting before the age of 65.
“We just needed a platform, a ventilated outlet, and it felt like some people were relevant,” Esang said.
Gen Z is increasingly worried about their financial situation
Esan says her age is “fed up” and “ressed” by the combination of modern work culture and increased economic instability.
“It feels like people trade 40 hours a week, but they can no longer support their families and can’t afford a home,” Esan says.
Bryan-Podvin says the video highlights how some young people are selecting student loan debt associated with higher education by working in physical labor. She noted that many Gen Z Z were getting older watching the recession of 2008, and then they graduated or developed years during the pandemic.
“Gen Z is starting to live financially with more debt, less social safety nets and higher costs. If millennials were told by the version that “just get a degree, it’s okay,” Gen Z couldn’t give the same message,” says Brian Podvin.
Cost of living is frequently cited as the highest economic concern among young people. A third of Gen Z and Millennials are worried that their finances could lead to the experience of homelessness, and according to a 2024 survey conducted by Acorns and Opinium Research, they may feel that they are almost three times more expensive than older respondents.
Life events such as parents getting a job in their childhood, experiencing economic instability during a recession, or failing business, can also contribute to business failures and financial anxiety, according to Astle.
“Gen Z sees massive wealth inequality, and wealth inequality has always been something, but that’s at a level that hasn’t been seen before in the last 100 years,” says Asttle. “Many generations of Z have experienced the anxiety of: “We don’t actually know if our needs will be met.” ”
Whenever there is a time to side hustle, Kahler Financial Group president and financial therapist Rick Kahler says, “It’s when you’re young.” According to Kahler and Bryan-Podvin, you can assert that the second job can lead you to lose your job, fund your retirement plan, or act as a creative outlet. Building good financial habits and investing early compounds has been of interest for decades, and setting one for retirement.
“If you leave college and you’re used to the ramen noodle diet, you’ll continue doing it and save that money,” says Carler.
With over 113,000 followers, Dionisio says it’s inspiring to see how many people are involved in having two jobs.
“I was a bit shy at the camera at first, but I’ll see others posting about my daily life.
The positive reception she received in her comments section encourages her to continue. “In addition to two jobs, how do you have the energy to create your own business and content? You’re a mom!! Superwoman.” “You’re going to girls!” another thing said.
Rachel Hale’s role in covering youth mental health at USA Today is supported by a partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editor input.
Contact her at rhale@usatoday.com @RachelLeighhale x.
