A new survey has revealed that young people in the UK, known as Generation Z, are moving away from traditional Saturday jobs and exploring new ways to earn money, such as becoming social media influencers or starting small businesses. According to a study by NatWest Thrive, only 15% of 16- and 17-year-olds are working casual jobs like in retail or delivering newspapers. This is a significant drop compared to 35% of adults who had such jobs at the same age. The report highlights a growing trend among teens to find alternative income streams. Former TV personality Joe Baggs, who once appeared on Gogglebox, has stressed the importance of understanding money and financial skills, regardless of the career path taken. He believes gaining financial knowledge early on can have a major impact on young people’s futures. This idea is reflected in the rise of a "teenage economy," where the average teenager earned £389 from side hustles in the past year. Across the 1.6 million teens in the UK, this adds up to around £640 million in total earnings from non-traditional income sources. Teens have a wide range of interests when it comes to earning money. Creating content for social media platforms is the most popular option, chosen by 44% of respondents. Nearly half (42%) are interested in starting their own small businesses, while 38% are drawn to gaming, streaming, or pet care. Other popular methods include cooking and baking, photography, and reselling clothes or items online, each appealing to around a third of the group. Many teens have already started experimenting with these alternative income sources. Over half (56%) have sold items they no longer wanted, and nearly a quarter (22%) have charged for a skill or hobby. About 20% have contributed to a family business, and 19% have bought items specifically to resell for profit. These trends suggest a shift in how young people plan for their futures, with 80% wanting at least two different income streams and 34% aiming for three or more. More than a third (34%) would prefer to become entrepreneurs rather than take a traditional job. The survey also found that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing how teens approach earning money. Around 35% use AI to develop business ideas, while smaller percentages use technology to create content or build websites. However, many teens are skeptical of the online success stories they see. Over 40% believe that content creators make their success look easier or faster than it really is. Many want more honesty from entrepreneurs about the time and effort needed to build a profitable business, as well as details about the initial costs and mistakes made along the way. In response to these trends, NatWest has launched Money Talks by NatWest Thrive, a program designed to help 16- and 17-year-olds understand the financial aspects of building income outside of a traditional salary. The initiative aims to provide guidance and support as young people explore diverse ways to earn money in an evolving economy.