Rising Energy Costs Push More Americans Toward Income Stacking and Side Hustles

A 21.2 percent spike in gasoline prices in March 2026 has pushed more Americans to juggle multiple jobs or build side income streams, a practice financial analysts are calling income stacking.

The price surge was tied to geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 3.3 percent over the 12 months ending in March 2026, with a 0.9 percent monthly increase in March alone. Energy costs drove most of that increase.

The Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate between 3.5 percent and 3.75 percent in response, making rate cuts increasingly unlikely for the rest of the year. Higher borrowing costs are adding pressure on households already stretched by energy and food prices.

Consumer sentiment surveys show rising financial anxiety. Many households are responding by taking on second jobs, freelance work, or gig economy roles to cover the gap. Others are revisiting their budgets and cutting discretionary spending.

The average tax refund for the 2026 filing season reached $3,397, an 11.2 percent increase over the prior year, giving some households a temporary cushion. But financial advisors say one-time windfalls do not address the underlying pressure from persistent inflation.

U.S.-Iran negotiations have shown some progress, which could ease energy prices if a deal is reached. But analysts say the timeline remains uncertain, and gasoline prices are likely to stay elevated through the summer.