(Sponsored Content--) Darnell Tillett, a North Jersey Uber driver, noted that one of the best things about working part-time for Uber is that he feels like he always has extra money in his pocket, money that can be used for the little things without worrying about the household budget.
It’s a sentiment many gig workers share, though some say the extra income brings the ability to save more money for their futures.
"I just want to be able to use my Uber money to spend if my wife wants me to pick up something from the store or if my kids need something for school or just something in general,” Tillett told New Jersey Business Daily.
With a son in college, working for Uber provides Tillett the added bonus of being able to transfer money easily when his child needs it.
“That way, I don't touch my savings and he's just getting money that I work for,” Tillett said. “That’s all. I mean to me it’s more convenient, and it's good to be able to go food shopping.”
It’s all about being able to use that money as they see fit, without worrying about cutting into what they need for necessities.
A 2021 Pew Research Center study showed that 56% of current or recent gig workers cited "wanting to save up extra money" as a major reason for joining the gig economy. Another 52% identified the need to cover a gap or change in income, while 49% stated flexibility and the ability to control their own schedule was a major factor in choosing to do gig work.
Other major reasons for doing gig work included "wanting to be their own boss," working as a hobby or for fun, and not having many job opportunities in their area, the Pew report said.
But closing the income gap is not the only reason people choose freelancing or gig work. A Forbes report showed that 84% of full-time freelancers said gig work allows them to live the type of lifestyle they prefer, as compared to 63% of full-time traditional workers. Another 42% said they could not work a traditional job due to life circumstances, and the work-when-you-want flexibility fills a role for them.
Gig work continues to trend upward, making up a larger chunk of the economy. A 2018 PYMNTS quarterly report of approximately 3,000 gig workers estimated that gig-working accounted for over $1.4 trillion of total U.S. income. Additionally, the share of gig workers making $100,000 or more annually rose from 30% to 40% from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2018.