How to Make Money the American Gen Z Style: Relaxed, Creative, and Continuously Profitable!
Gen Z in America isn't just about money. They're designing flexible, creative lives with multiple sources of income—without being trapped in a 9-to-5. Here's their style:
Side Hustles Become a Routine
Recent statistics:
1. Gen Z Side Hustle Statistics
Resume Genius notes that 58% of Gen Z workers already have a side hustle, while another 25% are considering one. According to an Intuit report, 66% of Gen Z and millennials already have or plan to start a side hustle, with 65% intending to maintain it until 2025. Meanwhile, Bankrate notes that 48% of.
2. Gen Zers aged 18–27 have spontaneously started a side hustle—the highest percentage compared to other generations. A Business Insider report states that 94% of Gen Zers aim to achieve financial independence before age 55, with many setting their ideal target at age 32.
Reasons Behind the Hustle Spirit
Their motivations vary, from pursuing freedom, channeling creativity, to achieving financial independence. According to an Intuit report, 49% want to be their own boss, while 42% are driven by passion. With the support of digital technology, they can start a side hustle without being tied to an office or conventional work schedule (USA Money Report & Business Insider).
The Most Popular Types of Hustles
Here are some types of side hustles that will be popular among Gen Z Americans in 2025:
1. Creative Content (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram): monetization through advertising, brand deals, affiliate marketing (Woke Waves USA Money Report).
2. Freelance work such as graphic design, video editing, social media management, and content writing can be done through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr (Woke Waves & Reddit).
3. Reselling & Flipping vintage items, sneakers, and thrift fashion on Depop, Poshmark (Woke Waves USA NewsBudCents).
Dropshipping & eCommerce, including digital products and print-on-demand from Woke WavesBudCents.
4. Tutoring & Course Creation through platforms like Wyzant, Teachable from Woke Wavesfinhacksfix.com.
5. Podcasting & Podcast Assistance: editing, guest bookings, digital promotion from Woke WavesCNBC.
6. AI-Powered Services: creating content with ChatGPT, Canva design, automated video scripts from Done With YouCNBC.
7. Car Wash Sales & Stock Photos: significant growth, +276% and +151%, respectively, according to Forbes.
8. Crypto Trading & Digital Products: in demand among young entrepreneurs according to Forbes.
Technology & AI: Hustler Friends
Gen Z Americans are making the most of AI:
AI helps with content, research, design, customer service, and marketing automation from the USA Money Report, Done With You.
For example, freelance writers who use ChatGPT for drafting allow them to take on more Done With You projects.
True Stories from the Field
1. Val Zapata started out as a sneaker collecting hobby and grew it into a large-scale business. He gained all his knowledge for free through YouTube, eventually landing a live show on Whatnot and successfully generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales (Business Insider).
2. Grace Ryu, 23: Earns US$96,000 per year from nine freelance gigs, such as content creation, pet sitting, and Airbnb hosting—a 9-to-5 job for men, driven by exhaustion, according to the New York Post.
Why Does All This Matter?
1. The pressures of high living costs, a poor economy, and a lack of trust in traditional systems are driving Gen Z to explore alternative ways to finance themselves, according to Business Insider/Financial Times.
2. It's not just regular office workers; professionals at the elite level are also diving into the gig economy. By early 2025, 5.4% of US workers will be holding more than one job at a time, and 72% of Gen Z will also be busy pursuing income through side hustles (The Times & Wall Street Journal).
Many also plan to have 2-3 sources of income in the next 5 years, according to The Sun.
3. Summary of Gen Z Americans' Money-Making Style
Gen Z Americans are proactive and have a busy side—a real part of their financial strategy.
They enjoy flexibility, rely on digital skills, and are creative with monetization.
AI and technology offer significant advantages for scaling businesses.
Real-life success stories encourage more people to try.
All of this is fueled by a desire for independence and skepticism of the traditional financial system.
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