Side Gigs and 4 More Ways Gen Z Avoids the ‘Workhorse Trap’ While Saving Big Money
Written by
Emily Fowler
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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“Office workhorses” carry the load at work, picking up tasks no one else wants and rarely seeing the payoff. According to SideHustles.com’s Confessions of the Office Workhorse study, these overburdened employees are burning out in record numbers.
Yet Gen Z refuses to fall into the trap. While 61% of employees consider themselves office workhorses — particularly Gen X at 64% — Gen Z stands out as the least likely to identify this way, at 52%.
Instead of grinding away for little reward, they’re flipping the script with side gigs and other strategies to save money and avoid the hamster wheel.
Side Hustles That Mean Business
Forget traditional overtime — Gen Z turns to gigs that deliver flexibility and profit. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and even Etsy let them monetize skills from graphic design to crafting handmade goods. Others turn to pet sitting, reselling thrift finds or freelance social media management, earning extra cash without extra office hours.
The appeal? Hustling outside the 9-to-5 offers freedom, creativity and income that isn’t tied to corporate whims. According to the study, 7% of frustrated office workhorses are already planning to transition into freelancing. Many Gen Zers see freelancing as a first step, not a last resort.
Saying No To ‘Loyalty Tax’
Older generations might stick with one employer for years, hoping for raises that rarely come. Gen Z isn’t as tied to one employer. They job-hop, negotiate raises hard, and leave when the numbers don’t add up.
According to H&R Block, nearly one in three Gen Z workers switched jobs last year, with 35% doing so for a pay rise. And it’s paying off: Gen Z saw a 30% jump in earnings in 2023, the biggest year-over-year increase of any generation.
This generation understands the “loyalty tax” — staying too long in a job without meaningful compensation — and avoids it entirely.
Affordable Living
Why live in expensive cities when remote jobs make geography irrelevant? Gen Z is leaving overpriced markets for more affordable places, with lower rents and purchase prices meaning more cash for investments, travel and experiences that actually matter.
Cities like St. Joseph, Missouri, and Elkhart, Indiana, are seeing a surge in Gen Z homebuyers, with house prices often under $250,000. These savvy buyers are tapping into affordable housing options while working remotely, stretching their paychecks further and securing long-term financial stability.
Boundaries That Work
Gen Z says “no” like a pro. The SideHustles.com study found that 69% of office workhorses have declined extra tasks — but not always without fear of backlash. Gen Z isn’t waiting to hit burnout before setting boundaries. Saying no upfront protects their energy for what matters: their goals, their health and their side gigs.
Avoiding Burnout
The study revealed that 55% of workhorses feel stuck, while 51% report burnout. Gen Z sees these stats as warnings, not inevitabilities. By prioritizing mental health and work-life balance, they’re sidestepping the burnout spiral. Instead of overloading their plates, they’re working smarter, taking breaks and focusing on sustainable habits.
What Other Generations Can Learn
Gen Z isn’t grinding for scraps or hoping for recognition that may never come. They’ve redefined work as a tool for financial independence, not an identity. With side gigs and a firm grip on their boundaries, this generation is dodging burnout while building wealth.
In a system that rewards workhorses with exhaustion, Gen Z is proving that there’s a better way. Work smarter, earn smarter and save big — that’s their game plan, and it’s paying off.
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