Imagine a world where you can be your own boss, set your own hours, and work on projects you’re passionate about. Sounds great, right? Welcome to the gig economy! This new way of working offers exciting opportunities, but it also comes with unique financial challenges. As financial counselors and planners, it’s crucial for us to understand these challenges and help our clients navigate this new landscape.

The Rise of the Gig Economy

The gig economy isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a major shift in how people work. According to a 2021 study by Upwork, 59 million Americans performed freelance work in the past year, representing 36% of the U.S. workforce. And this trend isn’t slowing down. The same study projects that by 2027, more than half of American workers will have engaged in gig work.

But what exactly is the gig economy? Simply put, it’s a labor market characterized by short-term contracts, temporary positions, and freelance work, as opposed to permanent jobs. Think ride-share drivers, freelance writers, project-based consultants, and many more.

Unique Financial Challenges of Gig Work

While the gig economy offers flexibility and independence, it also presents some tricky financial hurdles. Here are a few biggies:

      1. Irregular Income: Unlike traditional jobs with steady paychecks, gig workers often face feast-or-famine cycles. One month might bring a windfall, while the next could be lean. 
      2. Lack of Benefits and Protections: Most gig workers don’t receive employer-sponsored health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off. These benefits need to be self-funded, which can be a significant financial burden. Gig workers may not have protections under labor laws, less job security, and no access to unemployment benefits. With less job security, it is critical to protect against a gap in employment due to injury, accident, or lawsuits. Managing these risks may require disability insurance, liability coverage, or business insurance.
      3. Tax Complications: As independent contractors, gig workers are responsible for managing their own taxes and paying all of Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes (15.3%), including estimated quarterly income tax payments. This can be confusing and potentially costly if not handled correctly.
      4. Limited Access to Credit: Traditional lenders often prefer borrowers with steady, documented income, which can make it challenging for gig workers to access loans or mortgages.

So, how can we help our gig economy clients thrive financially? Let’s dive into some strategies.

Budgeting in the World of Irregular Income

When income is unpredictable, budgeting becomes even more crucial. Here’s an approach that can help:

      1. Calculate the Baseline: Help your client determine the minimum amount they need each month to cover essential expenses.
      2. Create a Buffer: To build a buffer for fluctuating income, encourage your client to save a portion of earnings during higher-income months to cover essential expenses during leaner periods. One effective approach is to deposit all earnings into a savings account and then transfer of a fixed amount to a checking account each month on specific days. This ensures a steady cash flow for essential expenses, even when income varies, while building a buffer during higher-income months.
      3. Prioritize Spending: Work with your client to categorize expenses as essential, important, and nice-to-have. This helps in making quick decisions when income fluctuates.
      4. Use Technology: Apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget) or Mint can be particularly helpful for tracking variable income and expenses. In addition, accounting software or Quickbooks may be helpful to track business expenses or create invoices.
      5. Maximize Gig Work: Help your client explore ways to increase income by dedicating consistent hours, understanding surge prices and peak demands, seeking opportunities on multiple platforms, and setting competitive rates when possible. It is important to diversify their client base or income sources to avoid over-reliance on a single platform or client.

Building a Safety Net

For gig workers, an emergency fund isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential. The general advice of having 3-6 months of expenses saved might not be enough. Approximately 60% of gig workers say the money they earned over the past 12 months has been essential (23%) or important (35%) for meeting their basic needs (Pew Research Center, 2021). Consider recommending a larger cushion, perhaps 6-12 months of expenses, to account for the greater income volatility. Additionally, for those relying on their vehicle for work, setting aside funds specifically for repairs and maintenance can help minimize downtime.

Navigating Healthcare and Retirement

Without employer-sponsored benefits, gig workers need to be proactive about their health and future. Here are some options to discuss with your clients:

      1. Health Insurance: Explore options available through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. For some gig workers, a high-deductible health plan paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a good fit. Some gig workers may have access under a married or domestic partner’s employer-provided health insurance coverage.
      2. Retirement Savings: Solo 401(k)s, and SEP IRAs are powerful retirement saving tools for self-employed individuals. They offer higher contribution limits compared to traditional IRAs, but IRAs are more easily accessible for a gig worker not needing the higher limits

Tackling Taxes

Help your gig economy clients stay on top of their tax obligations with these tips:

      1. Separate Business and Personal Finances: Recommend opening a separate bank account and credit card for business transactions.
      2. Track Expenses Diligently: There are numerous tax deductions available to self-employed individuals like home office expenses, vehicle deductions for rideshare drivers, and education or training expenses for freelancers. Good record-keeping is key to maximizing these benefits.
      3. Set Aside Money for Taxes: Suggest automatically transferring a percentage of each payment received into a separate account for payroll taxes and estimated income taxes.
      4. Consider Quarterly Payments: For many gig workers, making quarterly estimated tax payments can help avoid a large tax bill (and potential penalties) at year-end.

Brainstorming Future Income Opportunities

Financial counselors can support gig workers move toward stable employment by aligning their career goals with long-term financial planning. Active listening helps determine if gig work is a permanent choice, supplement, or temporary bridge. For those transitioning, focusing on transferable skills, networking, and resume building creates clear action steps. Part-time roles with a local or online employer may lead to full-time opportunities, with gig income providing support during the transition. The key is to help clients develop a growth mindset regarding long-term financial stability.

Empowering Financial Wellness in the Gig Economy

As financial counselors and planners, we have a unique opportunity to help gig workers turn their flexible careers into stable financial futures. By understanding the unique challenges they face and adapting our strategies accordingly, we can provide valuable guidance in this evolving landscape.

Remember, at the heart of our work is the goal of promoting financial wellbeing for all. The gig economy presents both challenges and opportunities in this mission. By equipping ourselves with the right knowledge and tools, we can help our gig economy clients not just survive but thrive financially.

References

      1. Upwork. (2021). “Freelance Forward 2021.” https://www.upwork.com/research/freelance-forward-2021
      2. Pew Research Center. (2023). “The State of Gig Work in 2023.” https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/03/13/the-state-of-gig-work-in-2023/
      3. Internal Revenue Service. (2023). “Gig Economy Tax Center.” https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center

 

Authors: 

Katie Morrison, PhD CFP® AFC®, Senior Content Lead, Dalton Education

Cherie Stueve, PhD CFP® AFC® FFC® FBS®, Senior Content Lead, Dalton Education