(Sponsored Content--) According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, 56% of current or recent gig workers cited "wanting to save up extra money" as a major reason for participating in the gig economy.

According to the study, 52% cited the need to cover a change or gap in income, while 49% reported that flexibility and the ability to control their own schedule was a major factor in choosing to do gig work. Other top reasons included "wanting to be their own boss," working for fun or as a hobby and not having many job opportunities available in their area.

Lance Hutchinson, an Uber driver, said he is taking advantage of gig work for the money and the lifestyle advantages it offers.

"I wanted an X number of dollars a week, you know, extra money to be able to do the things with the kids," Hutchinson said. "Take my wife out to dinner without feeling like I was, you know, cutting into the budget and, you know, mad money, I guess you could say. And through the years, I've kept stepping it up. It was more just a lifestyle thing, you know, [gig work] allowed me to do things that I wouldn't have been able to do, a little travel or just the luxuries that you get to splurge on people."   

Forbes reports that 84% of full-time freelancers say their work lets them live the lifestyle they want, compared to 63% of full-time traditional workers. Another 42% polled said they would not be able to work a traditional job due to life circumstances.    

It is estimated that 57.3 million people freelance in the U.S., according to Statista, and by 2027, that number will grow to an estimated 86.5 million.