A simple but slightly unsettling question that does the rounds among working professionals, especially in big cities: Is one salary really enough anymore? A recent LinkedIn post by Bengaluru-based chartered accountant and educator Meenal Goel has brought this concern back into focus, and the response it has received shows this is not just a passing thought but something many people are quietly thinking about.
Side income is no longer a luxury
In her post, Meenal pointed out that “Side income is no longer a luxury. It’s becoming a necessity.” She backed this with trends many urban workers have already been noticing in their own lives. Salary growth, she said, is usually around 6–10%, while living costs in cities are rising faster, often between 8–12%.
She also highlighted that nearly 40–50% of urban professionals are already exploring some form of additional income. This could be freelancing, consulting, content creation or small digital businesses. The bigger concern, however, is not just expenses. It is the uncertainty around jobs, with layoffs and automation adding pressure.
“What used to be optional is becoming a backup plan,” she wrote, adding, “Because today, the biggest financial risk isn’t low income, It’s depending on just one.”
‘Income diversification’ is becoming normal
The post quickly drew responses from people across industries, many of whom agreed with the idea that the definition of job security is changing.
One person said, “Side income is also becoming a skill hedge. If one industry slows, another capability can keep cash flow stable. Career resilience now includes income resilience.” To this, Meenal responded, “Skills are becoming income assets. The more monetisable capabilities someone builds, the stronger their financial safety net becomes.”
Others pointed out that this shift is visible even in traditionally stable fields. A comment noted, “Many professionals are exploring content, consulting, or freelance work alongside jobs. Not just for extra income , but for security and flexibility.”
One person compared it to investing, saying, “Income diversification is becoming as important as investment diversification. Relying on one employer today carries similar risk as relying on one asset class.” Meenal agreed, replying, “Depending on one income source today can be risky. Diversification is slowly becoming a personal finance principle, not just an investment principle.”
Why is this discussion growing now
Some comments focused on how job security itself is being redefined. A comment said, “The definition of job security is changing. It is less about one stable job and more about having multiple monetisable skills.” Meenal responded, “Job security is shifting toward skill security. People who keep upgrading themselves usually create more options beyond their primary role.”
There were also voices urging caution against panic, “It’s less about panic and more about having options when things shift. Even a small second stream can change how secure work feels.”
At the same time, not everyone agreed fully. One person argued that the focus should remain on improving core skills and earning better from a primary role, rather than chasing multiple streams without depth.
Part of the urgency comes from the broader economic picture. The gig economy in India is expected to cross 2.3 crore workers by 2030, which suggests that more people will rely on flexible and skill-based work rather than traditional full-time roles.
As a omment put it, “Income is increasingly tied to real time demand and skills rather than traditional job titles or degrees.” Meenal added to that, saying, “The market is rewarding relevance and adaptability more than designations now. Skills that solve real problems are becoming the new currency.”
While many found the discussion practical, some reactions reflected anxiety. One user simply wrote, “This is all getting scary,” capturing a feeling that seems to be spreading quietly among working professionals.