The holiday season is meant to be a time for celebration, but for many American workers, it’s adding pressure to budgets that are already stretched. Between gifts, travel, and hosting, the season brings a wave of extra costs on top of everyday bills.
New research from resume-building platform resume.io suggests that the rising costs are pushing workers to rethink their careers. Resume.io surveyed 1,000 full-time American workers, finding that more than half (56.2%) have considered changing jobs or seeking a higher salary in the past three months because of the cost of living or the expense of the holiday season.
One in four (25.0%) have already actively looked for a better-paying job, while a further 31.2% have considered it but haven’t yet acted. Another 16.4% say they would consider it if their finances worsened. Just 27.4% say rising costs haven’t affected their career decisions.
Working extra to cover holiday expenses
For many workers, covering the holidays means working more. More than half (53.6%) have taken on, or plan to take on, extra work to cover holiday expenses. That includes 29.4% picking up extra shifts or overtime, 24.6% taking on freelance work or a side hustle and 19.3% starting a temporary or seasonal job.
Others are trying to boost their pay where they already work or elsewhere, with 19.5% looking for a higher-paying job and 15.6% asking for a raise.
Cutting back on spending is the single most common step (39.5%), while one in five (21%) are dipping into savings and nearly one in 10 workers (9.7%) are selling their belongings to bridge the financial gap.
1 in 4 are borrowing to get through the season
More than one in four workers (27.1%) are borrowing to cover holiday costs. That includes 15.5% taking on debt or using credit, 13.5% using buy now, pay later and 6.4% borrowing from family or friends.
Everyday costs, not gifts, are driving the squeeze
While gifts are often seen as the biggest holiday expense, everyday costs are the top reason workers are taking on extra work. Nearly one in four (23.3%) say covering food and household expenses is their main reason, ahead of paying for Christmas gifts (21.1%) and covering existing debts or bills (18.9%).
A further 15% are working extra to save money for the new year, while 11.2% are paying for travel or family visits.
Money worries are wearing workers down
The financial pressure is also spilling into how workers feel while working. Financial stress is the top factor contributing to work-related exhaustion (20.4%), ahead of long working hours (17.5%) and an excessive workload (14.2%).
Workers who are borrowing to cover the holidays appear to be feeling it most. More than two in five (43.9%) say they are increasingly exhausted, experiencing significant burnout or struggling to find the motivation to work, compared to 30% of those who aren’t borrowing.
Workers who named financial stress as their main source of exhaustion were also more likely to be borrowing for the holidays (35.8% vs. 24.9%).
Gen Z feels the squeeze most
Gen Z workers are most likely to rethink their careers because of rising costs. Four in five Gen Z workers (80%) have considered changing jobs or seeking a higher salary, compared to 61.5% of millennials and 45.3% of Gen X. Two in five (39.2%) have already actively looked for a better-paying job, double the rate of Gen X (19.1%).
Gen Z are also the most likely to take on extra work to cover the season. Nearly three in four (72.5%) are taking on extra work, compared to 58.6% of millennials and 43.8% of Gen X. Gen Z workers are nearly three times as likely as Gen X to ask for a raise to cover holiday costs (29.2% vs. 10.1%).
Women more likely to be covering debts and bills
Women were more likely than men to cite financial stress as the main driver of their exhaustion (24.5% vs. 16%). Women were also more likely to say covering existing debts or bills is their main reason for extra work (22% vs. 15.6%), while men were more likely to be saving for the new year (17.5% vs. 12.6%).
With the rising costs of everyday necessities, it’s understandable that workers are taking a closer look at their pay and career options, said Amanda Augustine, a certified professional career coach, certified professional resume writer, and resident career expert at resume.io.
“For some, taking on extra work may be the quickest way to cover holiday expenses, but it’s worth exploring whether there’s an opportunity to earn more in your current role or through a new job,” she said.
Augustine added: “If you’re thinking about asking for a raise or making a career move, start by researching what people with similar experience are earning in your area. Update your resume with your recent accomplishments and the results you’ve delivered, so you’re prepared to make a compelling case for a higher salary. And if you’re considering a new job, remember to look beyond the paycheck. A higher salary doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll come out ahead once you factor in benefits, commuting expenses, and other costs associated with the role.
“Taking on extra work can provide some much-needed financial relief, but there’s a limit to how much anyone can juggle before it starts taking a toll. If you’re picking up additional shifts or a side hustle, be realistic about what you can manage alongside your regular job and personal responsibilities. The goal is to improve your financial situation without sacrificing your well-being in the process.”
Photo credit: magnific/Freepik
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