Answer: 50%

Questions:

• What are ways that workers can "smooth over" those periods where they are earning a smaller paycheck? 
• If this is the "new normal" for employment, how should you think about your largest fixed monthly expenses (rent, car payment, etc.)?
• What are some "side hustles" that people do to supplement their incomes? 

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers (from Fast Company): 

Half of Americans no longer receive a steady paycheck, thanks in part to the rise of ride sharing and other gig economy opportunities. But most of our financial tools were designed for people with a regular, predictable income. Fast Company talked with Alexa von Tobel, founder and CEO of personal finance website LearnVest.com, for advice on how Americans dependent on freelance projects, gigs, and similar forms of work should manage their money.

This income fragility (hat tip to Brian Page for pointing this out) is demonstrated by this amazing chart that shows how monthly income varies based on income level (from NY Times):

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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