Entrepreneur and educator Lovro Rogulj warns that inflation is eroding the purchasing power of salaries, prompting citizens to increasingly take on extra jobs to secure financial stability.
Rising living costs in Croatia are driving an increasing number of citizens to seek additional sources of income. Entrepreneur and educator Lovro Rogulj, who advises clients on finding extra work, stated in an interview with Index.hr Gastro, as reported by N1, that living on a single salary has become extremely challenging.
Rogulj divides those who work extra jobs into two main groups. "One group consists of those whose side job is the same as their main job. The other group includes those who do a completely different job for extra income," he said for Index.hr Gastro, as reported by N1.
The first group includes, for example, programmers, professors who hold additional classes outside working hours, and physiotherapists. The second group includes people like a professor who makes ceramic items and holds workshops, or an engineer who also works as a fitness trainer. According to his observations, these are most often people in their 20s to 50s, with an equal gender split.
The main driver of this phenomenon is the erosion of purchasing power. "Inflation eats away at the salary, and it has less power than before. People want to be sure they can pay off their loans, buy a new car. They want security if an unexpected household expense arises, if they want to travel somewhere, or provide better living conditions for their children. These are the main motives driving them," Rogulj explained for Index.hr Gastro, as reported by N1.
He added that a common thread among all profiles is the desire for additional income that brings them freedom, better financial management, security, and better opportunities for themselves and their families.
A key issue faced by those seeking a side job is how to balance time with their main job and family obligations. Rogulj emphasizes that the solution lies in strong willpower and organization. "It's important for people to understand they need to act. They need to be highly motivated, disciplined, and determined. If there is strong will, motivation, and a desire to consistently execute tasks, then there's no problem finding time for a side job," he said.
He particularly highlighted the importance of keeping up with technological trends. "Those who don't keep up with it automatically fall behind. I tell my clients not to resist artificial intelligence but to see it as an opportunity to improve in work and life in general," Rogulj stated.
In conclusion, he assessed that additional sources of income will become increasingly important in the future. "Over time, it will be increasingly important to be able to secure an additional source of income for oneself. This is a growing trend," he said for Index.hr Gastro, as reported by N1.
