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Retail workers make up roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce, yet retail remains one of the lowest-paying industries in the country. As rents have climbed over the past decade, it’s become increasingly difficult for people in these jobs to afford a place to live on their own. Add in economic uncertainty, industry-wide layoffs, and declining seasonal work, and retail workers are getting squeezed from all sides.

This strain shows up clearly in the numbers. Nationwide, the typical retail worker in America earns $34,436 per year—52% less than they would need to afford the typical apartment. To close that gap using wages alone, a retail worker would need to work more than 80 hours per week, which is unrealistic for most people.

In fact, there isn’t a single major metro in the U.S. where the typical retail worker can afford a market-rate rental. The gap is smallest in Cleveland, where workers earn about a third less than they’d need, and largest in New York, where the gap widens to more than 70%. For this analysis, rentals are considered “affordable” if a renter spends no more than 30% of their income on rent.

So, to pinpoint where renting is easiest (and hardest) for retail workers, Redfin Real Estate ranked U.S. cities by how retail wages compare to the income needed to afford the typical apartment.

The 10 most affordable cities for retail workers looking to rent

Redfin Real Estate

Cleveland ranks as the most affordable metro in the country for retail workers, though even there, workers need to earn 33% more to meet the standard affordability benchmark. These are all places with some of the lowest rents in the nation.

“As the cost of living has increased, so have the sacrifices renters must make to afford a place to live,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “Since most retail workers don’t earn enough to afford the typical apartment, many are opting to share rent with a family member or friend, move far away from their job, or live in a very small space.”

It’s worth noting that many retail workers never actually seek out the typical apartment because it’s already out of their price range. Even the top 25% of earners still fall 44% short of the income needed to afford a standard rental.

The 10 least affordable cities for retail workers looking to rent

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The traditional path of working a full-time job until retirement is changing. More people are now exploring creative, flexible ways to earn extra income and build financial freedom on their own terms, especially as holiday expenses approach and a new year brings fresh goals. That’s where freelance side hustles come in. A side hustle is like your own small business you manage alongside your regular part-time or full-time job.

If you’re interested in picking up a side hustle, you have many different options to choose from. Side hustles aren’t one-size-fits-all. The right fit plays to your strengths, works with your schedule, and helps you reach your financial goals, whether you’re saving up for a big purchase or trying to supplement your income. Maybe podcasting or dog walking is your thing. Maybe you’re drawn to tutoring or virtual assistance. No matter if you lean toward in-person work or online opportunities, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Holiday costs can sneak up fast, and planning for the new year starts now. These 20 side hustle ideas can help you bring in extra income and choose a gig that supports your goals. Upwork, an online marketplace for hiring skilled freelancers, shares ideas to help find the best fit for you.

How to choose your freelance side hustle

A July 2025 Bankrate survey found that 27% of U.S. adults currently have a side hustle, and 29% of those with a side gig say they believe they’ll always need one to make ends meet.

Not every freelance side hustle is right for everyone. The best fit depends on your skills, your goals, and how much time and effort you’re able to put in.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if a side hustle is right for you and which paths make the most sense:

• How much time do I have each week? Some side hustles are quick to start (like tutoring or dog walking). Others, like blogging or e-commerce, take longer to build.
• What skills can I monetize? If you already have a marketable skill, such as being a writer, graphic designer, or organizer, look for gigs that pay for those strengths.
• Do I want to work online or in person? Remote-friendly side hustles like virtual assistance or content creation usually offer more flexibility. In-person gigs like pet sitting or delivery often offer faster cash.
• How much money can I invest up front? Some options (like freelancing or tutoring) have low startup costs. Others (like drop-shipping or podcasting) might require equipment, subscriptions, or inventory.
• What’s my goal, extra money or a new career? Short-term gigs help you make money fast. But many side hustles can grow into full-time freelance work if you want to scale up.

If you’re not sure where to start, freelancing platforms can make it easy to test different ideas, build your reputation, and find work that fits y

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The holidays can be expensive, and sometimes you need extra cash to cover gifts, travel or entertaining. But not all borrowing options are created equal — some are far cheaper and safer than others. Finder.com digs into how much it could cost to borrow $1,000 across five different avenues.

This breakdown uses illustrative numbers based on current national averages, but your actual costs will depend on your creditworthiness and the terms you qualify for.

Personal loan: Predictable, low-cost borrowing

Personal loans are installment loans with a fixed repayment schedule and interest rate. It’s ideal for planned holiday spending because payments are predictable and interest rates are typically lower than with other short-term options.

For this example, the average personal loan interest rate was used for illustration, but your actual rate will depend on your credit profile. Borrowers with lower scores may pay more, while those with strong credit could qualify for lower rates and overall costs.

Example:

• Loan amount: $1,000
• Term: 24 months
• APR: 11.14%
• Monthly payment: $46.48
• Total fee/interest: $116
• Total repayment: $1,116

Why it works

• Predictable monthly payments
• Helps you stick to a budget
• Lower total interest compared to other short-term options

Credit cards are widely used for holiday shopping because of their convenience and rewards programs. But carrying a balance can be super costly due to the high APRs associated with credit cards.

Example:

• Loan amount: $1,000
• Term: 12 months
• APR: 24%
• Monthly payment: ~$94.45
• Total fee/interest: ~$133
• Total repayment: ~$1,133

Why it’s riskier than a personal loan

• Monthly payments are higher than with a personal loan
• Total cost over a year is higher than with a personal loan
• Interest accumulates quickly if balance isn’t paid in full

Payday loan: Quick, short-term borrowing with high risks

Payday loans are short-term, small-dollar loans that are typically due in full within a couple of weeks. They’re tempting for holiday emergencies because you can get cash fast, but the APR is extremely high.

Example:

• Loan amount: $1,000
• Term: 2 weeks
• APR: 400%
• Lump sum payment: $1,064
• Fee/interest: ~$64
• Total repayment: ~$1

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Many entrepreneurs’ lightbulb moments come from a problem they’ve experienced themselves. It’s the first sign that there’s a gap in the market.

According to a 2025 Shopify survey, 38% of business owners relied on their personal experience as a customer to validate their business idea before launching. When one person is experiencing a problem, chances are good they aren’t alone. Not only does this mean a captive audience is likely ready and waiting to buy, but it also means you know exactly what they’re looking for.

These four brands found their sweet spot by solving real problems their founders experienced firsthand. Each discovered strong demand by listening to customers and testing their ideas before going all in—here’s how.

Lighting the way for new moms

When Julie Carty became a new mom, she hit a wall with nighttime feedings. Her top-rated bedside lamps were either too harsh—waking up the whole family—or too dim to see clearly. “I hated my lighting setup at home, and I had the ‘best’ bedside table lights,” Carty says on Shopify Masters.

Recognizing the gap, Carty decided to fill it. She created LatchLight, a wearable, hands-free, soft-glow light made for nighttime baby feedings.

Carty spent two and a half years developing and tweaking LatchLight, getting feedback from other new parents, doulas, and lactation consultants to make sure the product met real needs. When she repeatedly heard how the light “was a game changer for them and a super helpful tool, that is when I decided to move forward,” Carty says.

From there, Carty grew her customer base by selling directly to hospitals as well as promoting LatchLight at trade shows and through influencers. Today, the brand also has a retail partnership with Buy Buy Baby.

Reimagining packaging solutions

The idea for Hero Packaging hit cofounder Anaita Sakar while she was packing orders for her previous business.

“I just wanted to use packaging that was better for the environment,” Sakar says. But nothing worked well. “Boxes were way too expensive to ship. I looked into paper, and it was great—it was recyclable and compostable—but not waterproof.” That’s when she got the idea for a waterproof, plastic-like mailer that would break down naturally.

To test her idea, Sakar asked other small business owners if they’d be interested in switching to this type of packaging. “It was a resounding yes,” she says.

Sakar tested the market before launching using search ads: “We targeted people on Google, so we were hitting anyone that was typing in ‘sustainable packaging’ with a landing page and they would get a free sample,” Sakar says. “We thought we were going to get about 30 or 40 sign-ups for free samples, and in a week we got a thousand people.”

That test showed Sakar there was already a

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Most people’s first thought for help with medical bills is their health insurance. But if you’re a small business owner and you, your employees or your customers suffer an injury at your business, some types of business insurance may be able to cover some of those costs.

NEXT shares how business insurance, specifically general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, could help to cover a range of medical expenses such as doctor visits, treatments, medication and physical therapy.

The way business insurance can cover medical expenses depends on who needs the care: Are they a guest, an employee or are you looking to protect yourself?

How general liability may help with medical costs

A standard general liability insurance policy usually includes medical payments coverage. But this coverage could only help non-employees who accidentally get hurt while visiting or interacting with your business.

General liability policies can usually only cover bodily injury for visitors, customers, and others who visit your workplace.

For example, suppose a client visiting your office trips, breaking a leg. The medical payments coverage in a general liability policy might reimburse the client for the doctor visit, plus the X-ray to diagnose the break and the cast to treat it (up to your policy limit) since the accident happened at your business.

How workers’ compensation insurance could cover medical expenses

If an employee is hurt on the job, your workers’ compensation coverage may kick in to help cover costs. Most states require you to carry this coverage if you have employees.

Say one of your employees develops carpal tunnel from long days at the computer. Your workers’ comp policy could cover their doctor visit, medical brace and ongoing physical therapy.

Small business insurance that helps pay for medical expenses like these, whether for a client or an employee, can save you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Coverage depends on many variables, so it’s important to review your policy details for specifics.

Can business insurance cover medical fees for business owners?

You can’t use your business insurance to pay for your own regular doctor visits or medications — that’s what your personal health insurance is for.

Business insurance coverage for business owners, an add-on to your employee workers’ compensation policy, could help you cover medical expenses for yourself after a covered work-related injury or illness.

10 examples of medical expenses that could be covered by business insurance

Business insurance can cover a wide range of medical costs that spring up after a work-related accident or illness. The key is that