Marketplace All-in-One Are more Americans working multiple jobs?
Nov 24, 2025
Kristen Schwab, a Marketplace reporter specializing in the 'Lived Economies' series, discusses the surprising rise in Americans juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. Insights reveal that many job gains in recent reports are due to second and third jobs, especially in sectors like healthcare and restaurants. The conversation also touches on China's unique approach to AI investments compared to the U.S., and how the housing market has shown signs of recovery with factors like falling mortgage rates playing a role.
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China's Pragmatic AI Play
- China's AI strategy focuses on widespread, cheaper adoption across businesses and consumers rather than gigantic data-center bets.
- That approach may avoid bubble risk and aims to diffuse AI utility broadly across society now.
Big Bets Versus Broad Deployment
- China announced a $50 billion AI investment while some U.S. projects plan far larger outlays, highlighting differing scales and strategies.
- If U.S. big bets pay off, its economy may capture more benefits; if not, China's diffuse approach could win out.
Ashley Ayala's 'Stuck' Homebuying Story
- Kristen Schwab followed Ashley Ayala, an insurance appraiser in Austin, who feels financially stuck despite saving for a down payment.
- Ashley earns well with overtime but delays homebuying due to mortgage rates, job volatility, and the need for safety.