Gen Z artist with 7 jobs and still struggling to make ends meet, says 'the grind' has gotten out of hand

Inflation is real, especially today! People are realizing that one job is not enough to afford a decent, healthy lifestyle. From groceries to healthcare, housing, education, and things in between, everything has become too expensive. Rika, 26, from Indonesia, has been doing everything possible to make ends meet. In fact, she has been working seven different jobs, but still struggles to fulfill her basic needs, she told CNA Insider in a video posted on November 13.

Rika is an expert in almost every field. While she obtained a degree in International Relations, she is currently working multiple freelancing jobs to sustain her lifestyle. From baking, makeup gigs, and admin work to tutoring, she does everything that comes her way, but still struggles with instability. After graduation, Rika filled out a hundred full-time job applications, but was rejected by the companies. "I applied for marketing, banks, telecoms, and HR, but never got a response," she confessed. Rika had even attempted to crack the civil service exam, but didn't qualify for it. She feels that a reason for her rejections might be her age. "A lot of companies in Indonesia set the maximum at 25 years old. So sometimes, you can make it all the way to the Interview stage but then suddenly get cut just because of age," she added.

Rika also called out the bizarre recruitment requirements. She said that companies often prioritize fresh graduates, but with at least two years of experience, so her applications get rejected. While she was searching for a full-time job, Rika began accepting freelance opportunities, the first being a makeup gig for a friend's graduation ceremony. Later, she joined a TV show as a crew assistant and realized she could become a full-time freelancer. The pay was pretty decent, $30 per day, and Rika was thrilled with the money. 

Her most steady source of income currently is the admin work at a plantation company. Rika earns $30 for one to five days of work. Despite working multiple jobs, she can earn only $300 a month. However, this isn't her steady income, and during slow months, the amount drastically reduces. "It's more about having expenses that aren't consistent like others. People with a steady income can control their spending, but with my income going up and down, I just spend based on what I earn," Rika said. To cope with slower months, she had set aside an emergency fund and adds money to it monthly.

The Indonesian woman now hopes to find a full-time job and some financial stability. However, she said she would continue to take up some freelancing projects even after landing a full-time job. Rika isn't alone in juggling multiple jobs; in fact, most people in the United States work at different places simultaneously to meet the insane rising costs. A survey by Jooble found that 68.6% of people in the US work multiple jobs, including full-time, part-time, and self-employment. Among those, 50% work two jobs, and 10.4% have more than three jobs. The most common reason cited for doing multiple jobs was financial need.

Meanwhile, reacting to Rika's struggles to achieve financial stability despite juggling multiple jobs, @luk2k3 commented, "Finally, a balanced perspective! Freelance and slash careers often emerge because people struggle to find secure, meaningful full-time roles. Stability matters, and given the choice, most would prefer a fulfilling job with security." @clarissaywy wrote, "I understand where she is coming from. I feel that freelancing and doing multiple jobs is a young person thing, and as one gets older, they look for stability in income, and that comes from having a well-paying full-time job in a good company."

Similarly, @bestofinternet2314 said, "Bro, there are no secure jobs left in this world, and freelancing has its name; it's for freedom, not for earning money. It's called self-employed, not freelancing." @calebchoo896 suggested, "Make time to learn skills that truly pay even when you have to work. You have personal assistance called AI to help you greatly if you know how to leverage it."

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