As the government scrambles to address the cost of living crisis with measures such as cheap beans and biscuits, a growing number of Britons are turning to 'income stacking'—juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat and hedge against redundancy. Lydia Spencer-Elliott reports on this emerging trend.
The Rise of Income Stacking
When Alexa was made redundant from her tech sales job for the second time, she realised she could no longer rely on her industry for financial stability. 'It's volatile, with many lay-offs. I wanted an added layer of protection, a contingency plan,' she explains. The 26-year-old used her savings to pay £1,800 to train as a pilates instructor. Within months, she was teaching classes five days a week before commuting from Buckinghamshire to London for her nine-to-five job. In her first year, she topped up her salary by five figures, investing every penny she earned.
Income stacking is increasingly popular in the UK, particularly among young women aged 16 to 29. According to research by the UK Women's Budget Group, one in four women in this age group have worked more than one job in the past year. Sophie, a 26-year-old social media manager, started juggling three years ago after being out of work. She now earns extra income by selling clothes on Vinted, completing surveys on apps like AttaPoll and Swagbucks, secret shopping, and participating in market research for up to £150 per session.
Why Income Stacking Is on the Rise
This desire for multiple revenue streams goes beyond the 'girl boss' phenomenon. In Britain, women are 50 per cent more likely to be in low-paid work than men, and even those in high-paying sectors face significant gender pay gaps. Additionally, the Middle East energy crisis and rising costs of food and fuel have pushed many to seek extra cash. A survey predicts that a quarter of a million people could lose their jobs by mid-2027 if a recession occurs, making reliance on a single employer risky.
Income stacking is not limited to Gen Z. A record 1.35 million adults in the UK now work at least two jobs, the highest level since records began, according to the ONS. Of those surveyed, one in six struggle to pay household bills each month. Sophie notes, 'People say it's just £20, but that can put petrol in your car or buy food. I'm building up my emergency pot to have three months' salary ready.'
Polygamous Working: A Controversial Trend
Some remote workers take income stacking further by doing two full-time jobs simultaneously without their employers' knowledge. Known as polygamous working or 'being overemployed,' this practice emerged during the pandemic. Business Insider reports that some white-collar employees earn up to £450,000 a year from double or triple salaries. One British influencer on TikTok claims she made £200,000 from two nine-to-five roles, asserting it is legal. However, polygamous working can breach employer codes of conduct. In December, a woman was convicted of fraud for holding two full-time jobs at different councils, and a 66-year-old man was jailed for three years for moonlighting in four council jobs. The National Fraud Initiative now cross-references payroll to crack down on such practices in the public sector.
Passive Income Stacking
Those with assets often stack income passively by renting out parking spaces, second homes, or spare bedrooms. Anna, 29, whose parents host international students, says, 'We charge between £50 to £100 per head per night. It helps with the cost of living, especially with mortgage interest rates. We've had lovely lodgers, and it hasn't been disruptive.' However, only 39 per cent of people aged 25 to 34 owned homes in 2022-23, leaving many with only their time to sell. Sophie has learned to monetise spare moments, even offering to sell friends' possessions on Vinted for a 50 per cent cut.
The Risk of Burnout
Hustle culture's worst enemy is burnout. Alexa, who reduced her pilates classes by 50 per cent after her corporate job intensified, says, 'It's more strategic now. I can see family, friends, and spend time alone, so I feel energised by my classes, not exhausted.'
