With consumer confidence declining , small business expenses rising , and continued concerns around gas prices and their effect on household budgets, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little uncertain about what the future holds - no matter whether you’re a business owner or a working professional.

One demographic feeling the pressure in particular is millennials. Glassdoor’s latest report found that 76% of millennials are actively questioning their career paths and 68% have delayed a major life milestone because of career uncertainty. So they’re now “stability stacking” as a way to combat the uncertainty.

According to the report, “Stability stacking is a career strategy of layering multiple sources of security — such as skills, options, income, and networks — to ensure that no single job, boss, or industry disruption can knock you flat.”

One of the most important layers to any stability stacking plan is a side hustle . Even 3-5 hours per week working on a side gig can add much-needed extra income to your bank account each month. According to a LendingTree survey , 61% of side hustlers say their life would be unaffordable without the extra income it brings in.

But extra income and financial stability aren’t the only reasons to start a side hustle. Here are five other ways it helps you build stability and even create opportunities for career growth.

1. A Diversified Portfolio

Even those with seemingly dependable income can benefit from a diverse portfolio of income streams. Diversification means you’re less reliant on just one income, and are less likely to take a huge financial hit if one income stream takes a dip - or disappears entirely.

A good “stability stack” means you have options, or in other words, you have the luxury of choosing a new pathway to go down. A side hustle can help you get there. If you start a side hustle in an industry that is totally different from your main income or career, the skills that you learn from that side hustle can open you to brand-new opportunities and career pathways.

3. Less Reliance On One Employer

Stability stacking via a side hustle means you may rely less on your employer or other main income streams. ZipRecruiter found that side hustles give job seekers bargaining power. Job seekers with a side hustle are far more likely to reject a job offer (49% vs. 32.2%) and to say they’d quit without another job lined up (46.9% vs. 23.6%).

A Deloitte survey found more than a third of those with a side hustle said it helps them develop important skills and relationships. You’ll naturally meet new people whether it’s through your customers, clients, or other people in your industry via networking or business events. The relationships you build can create new opportunities you may not get through your day job alone.

The stronger and larger your network, the more opportunities you have access to - which is especially valuable if your circumstances were ever to change.

5. Increase Earning Power

With the new skills you learn, you may even have an opportunity to increase your earning power, as side hustles give you a chance to learn skills that are in demand in the job market. For example, Upwork’s Future of Work Index found that freelancers who offer AI-related services earn 34% more per hour than those who don’t incorporate AI.

While side hustles are popular for the extra income they can provide, they can be so much more than that. They’re a core part of “stability stacking,” or building a stronger financial and career safety net, and can even open you to new pathways you might not have otherwise seen. There are tons of different side hustles to choose from, so check out some popular ideas and get stacking.