Have you done internet side-gig jobs? Was it worth it? (ex: Uber, taskrabbit)

[Unionville]

I hear about side-gig companies you can sign up with to earn extra money. Everything from: renting out your parking space (monkey parking), to Deliveries (Amazon flex) and give local city tours (Vayable). I'm NOT taking about  "start a business", selling, or scams. The things I'm talking about are jobs that usually connect people to each other through an apps for a cut (like airbnb) or small tasks online (like Amazon Turk). I don't need it as a reliable income -- just for extra spending money for fun.

Have you done any of these?   Are they worth it? Which one do you like?

[bballfreakunc]

Check out Moonlighting. It's an exchange where people post jobs to get done as well as skills that they as freelancers have for sale. I'm generally the latter. Personally I've found a bunch of data science/analytics gigs on there as well as some HTML work.

Note I get a couple bucks if you signup with my link below.
http://www.gomnlt.com/mnlt/sign_up/?SubAff=1061

[Mattzlaff]

I have thought about UBER. Fairly easy to sign up, you need to pass a criminal record check, you need a fairly new car(I think its 10 years old max), you need to get an inspection done and depending on your location they might not offer UBER. Where I live the Cab companies took them to court over provincial driver for higher laws and won, until UBER partnered with an insurance company that would cover ride sharing drivers.

I gave up on the idea because I live in a smaller town ~20 minutes away from the urban center. So unless I lucked out and found a fare to take to the city I would have to drive ~20 minutes on my dime to get my first fare. I could do it on weekend nights and probably find the fares I need to go to and from my town, but weekends are like gold to me because of my job.

[pjhalifax]

I've worked for Leapforce for about a year now (it's in the "small tasks" category, I guess). $13.50/hour and a low minimum threshold of hours/tasks means I can work anywhere from 10 hours a month up to 40 hours a week if I wanted. That kind of flexibility works out well in my case because my main gig is stay-at-home parent...a side gig supplements my wife's income so we save on childcare plus get some extra bucks.

Might not be everyone's cup of tea - there's an entrance exam and studying that's basically unpaid training as a barrier to entry - but it's been a really good source of income for us. I've done this kind of work for 5 years total, 4 with Appen when I was supplementing writing income (back in the day when they paid more and paid you for training) and now the past year with LF.

[ducky19]

Thanks for the tip on Leapforce. Just checked them out and it looks like a pretty legit way to add another $400/mo to the stache in just a couple hours a day. I've been looking for a decent side gig that pays well that I can do from home and when I want. This definitely fits the bill. PM me if you get a referral bonus. Appreciate it!

[sw1tch]

Just posting to subscribe/ re-find this.

[independence]

I've worked for Leapforce for about a year now (it's in the "small tasks" category, I guess). $13.50/hour and a low minimum threshold of hours/tasks means I can work anywhere from 10 hours a month up to 40 hours a week if I wanted. That kind of flexibility works out well in my case because my main gig is stay-at-home parent...a side gig supplements my wife's income so we save on childcare plus get some extra bucks.

Might not be everyone's cup of tea - there's an entrance exam and studying that's basically unpaid training as a barrier to entry - but it's been a really good source of income for us. I've done this kind of work for 5 years total, 4 with Appen when I was supplementing writing income (back in the day when they paid more and paid you for training) and now the past year with LF.

I think Appen must depend on the project you're working on because I get paid $14.50/hour and although the training wasn't paid, it was very minimal.

I think I'd probably prefer LF though because there's more hours than I get on my Appen contract but that exam is definitely off-putting to me. Do Appen and Leapforce conflict with each other or can you do both?

[damnedbee]

I did Leapforce for about 6 months, but didn't like it for a variety of reasons. Mostly it required too much unpaid time doing work, the review process was bizarre, and the work itself was mind-numbing. I can see how it would be great for some people, though.

I've since switched to online surveys and make about as much as I did for Leapforce but for much easier work that I do at my own pace, on my own schedule

[Prodigal Daughter]

posting to follow

[MustachianKentuckian]

I've done some writing for Textbroker.  I enjoy it when not working a ton at my real job, which lately has been the case.  Pay is pretty low, best situation is when you get clients that give you direct orders.  You have to take an exam and the highest you can get from that is a 4 star rating.  I got that, but it's hard to get 5 star.  It's based on orders you have written.  I thought I had finally made it, just to be told they changed the way the award 5 stars and basically they will contact you if they want you to be 5 star.  I think if I had more time to devote to it, I could make more (I've earned about $400-500/year).  I like to write, so I get some enjoyment out of it.

[pjhalifax]

I think Appen must depend on the project you're working on because I get paid $14.50/hour and although the training wasn't paid, it was very minimal.

I think I'd probably prefer LF though because there's more hours than I get on my Appen contract but that exam is definitely off-putting to me. Do Appen and Leapforce conflict with each other or can you do both?

I'm not sure if you can work for both places. I can poke around in the LF forums because I know people have asked. I think it all depends on the client running your particular project.

I was on a Butler Hill/Appen project that required 4 hours/day. It started out at $20/hour in early 2011, which was great, but they slowly cut the pay and eventually phased out the project (or were in the process of doing so).

[kpd905]

I just finished an 8 week contract with Appen about a month ago.  I didn't mind it, but it was too much time for me in addition to my real job.  I had to work 3-3.5 hours a day, 5 days a week.  I ended up doing about 2/3 of it before work, then finishing up when I got home.  It was good to make some quick money to save up for our downpayment.  It paid $13.75 an hour.

I would do another project if I could do fewer hours.

[HipGnosis]

I'm pretty handy with my hands.  I signed up for TaskRabbit.  The process involves checking what city you're in, then which jobs you will do, your experience/qualification for doing each and the wage you want (with some vague guidance).
Then they want $20 for a background check.  I stopped at that point and went to their site as a potential customer to see what/how others wrote their qualifications and wages.  It turned out that TaskRabbit doesn't operate in my city.  But they would have taken $20 for me to be approved... for IF they EVER open in my city.
Now I'm signing up with PostMates - to pickup and deliver food from restaurants.  I confirmed they work in my city.

[Linea_Norway]

Signing up to follow. I would like to find some online work, that I can do when it suits me. 3-4 hours a day like mentioned above is way too much. But 8 hours a week might be possible.

[sw1tch]

I'm pretty handy with my hands.  I signed up for TaskRabbit.  The process involves checking what city you're in, then which jobs you will do, your experience/qualification for doing each and the wage you want (with some vague guidance).
Then they want $20 for a background check.  I stopped at that point and went to their site as a potential customer to see what/how others wrote their qualifications and wages.  It turned out that TaskRabbit doesn't operate in my city.  But they would have taken $20 for me to be approved... for IF they EVER open in my city.
Now I'm signing up with PostMates - to pickup and deliver food from restaurants.  I confirmed they work in my city.

You'll have to update with how PostMates works for you.  I'm considering doing that for a while when I move as I'm tired of the office grind.

[HipGnosis]

You'll have to update with how PostMates works for you.  I'm considering doing that for a while when I move as I'm tired of the office grind.

Will do, but it's not going to happen right away.  PostMates is highly dependent on an app and cell data.  So I've just bought my first 4G phone and now have to get the sim to sign up with a provider for a plan with substantially more data than what I currently have.
My research says drivers make $10-$20 /hr (average) driving from 5pm to 2-3am. I suspect there will be a lull around 8-10pm.

[Linea_Norway]

I found out that Leapforce doesn't exist in the countries/languages I could work in (Norway and the Netherlands). Pity.

[MandalayVA]

Posting to follow, never heard of Appen before--something else to check out!

[ChipmunkSavings]

Posting to follow.

@damnedbee : Which websites are you using for the surveys? I used to do Swagbucks but I found it took way too long to get points considering I did not qualify for most surveys.

[dignam]

I tried Uber for a while.  You meet some interesting people, but financially I'm not sure it's worth it.  After including wear and tear, gas, etc. into the equation I think I was making like $8-10/hr.  Not the worst thing considering you set your own hours though.

[cherilee]

I checked out Leapforce's website and they only tell you you will be conducting "internet research". Can anyone shine any more light on what the actual job duties are?

[Linea_Norway]

Posting to follow.

@damnedbee : Which websites are you using for the surveys? I used to do Swagbucks but I found it took way too long to get points considering I did not qualify for most surveys.

I also tried this. They tell you a survey takes 5 minutes and when I finish it the smoothly continue with the next one that takes at least as long. And I need 10 points to earn 1 lousy NOK = 0.1 USD. It is just not paying enough to use my spare time on it.
I did however register enough point to join a lottery they have that I put some point in. That lottery could win a nice sum. I probably won't win, but never mind.

 I guess it pays off more to spend my time on gathering my own food or bake my own bread, to save money. Or to make my own clothes.

[BuffaloStache]

I've worked for Leapforce for about a year now (it's in the "small tasks" category, I guess). $13.50/hour and a low minimum threshold of hours/tasks means I can work anywhere from 10 hours a month up to 40 hours a week if I wanted. That kind of flexibility works out well in my case because my main gig is stay-at-home parent...a side gig supplements my wife's income so we save on childcare plus get some extra bucks.

Might not be everyone's cup of tea - there's an entrance exam and studying that's basically unpaid training as a barrier to entry - but it's been a really good source of income for us. I've done this kind of work for 5 years total, 4 with Appen when I was supplementing writing income (back in the day when they paid more and paid you for training) and now the past year with LF.

Posting to follow, but also, pjhalifax - any insight into what the entrance exam is like? How long did it take you to study and then pass this exam? Can you take it more than once if you fail at first? I'm certainly interested here.

[SC93]

Instead of making someone else money why not start your own gig? I see all these people driving for Uber and wonder WHY!!! A guy I know wanted to drive so I asked why he didn't go around to all the museums and get their work. He did and now he has expanded to driving for lots of wealthy people. He now has 3 drivers that work for HIM 24/7!! Mostly airport runs at a minimum $80 a pop. Another guy lives in a town about 3 hours from the DFW metroplex. He has runs both ways..... taking people to the airport or back to his town. There is an air force base there so he gets lots of those guys/gals. Or make the $2 driving for someone else....

[Gimesalot]

This is a great thread.  I hadn't heard of Appen before and now I am really interested but I have a few questions for those that have worked for them before...

First, my computer and smartphone are obviously more than 3 years old, is this really an issue?

Second, I can only work 1 hour a day right now, but within a few months, I will be able to work 4 hours a day.  Is it easy to jump up if I start low, or should I just wait until I can work 4 hours a day?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Edited to add:  I work as a mystery shopper as a side gig occasionally.  It doesn't make me a ton of money but it is pretty flexible and lets you make money easily.  For example, on a trip to Dallas, I ate twice for free at the airport, got a bunch of free candy, and made about $40.  I had to be at the airport anyway, might as well make some cash.

[happychineseboy]

I signed up for taskrabbit and even paid the $20 background check processing fee, but I am lazy and never even signed up for their orientation.

I ended up renting out my futon on AirBnB. It is such an easy way to make a quick buck. It also gives me incentive to clean my apartment and do laundry so my apartment looks presentable when a guest comes.

I just started this month. I am worried that guests would be disruptive and interfere with my day to day routine but most guests are tourists who are out and about most of the day. Maybe I am just lucky right now during the summer.

[wordnerd]

I  just finished my first month teaching English online for children in China via VIPKid. Overall, I'm having a very positive experience. In my first month, which was very slow in the beginning, I earned $300 for 15 hours of teaching (well, really 12 hours since I had some no-shows). I really enjoy the teaching aspect; it doesn't take much prep work once you learn the system; and, I feel like I'm learning things as I do it.

The biggest challenge I have is figuring out my schedule. In the very beginning, I opened up too much availability since I wasn't getting any bites and then ended up with a not-ideal schedule with a couple of short nights. With working full-time and having a toddler, balancing the schedule can be difficult. Once I work that out, I think it will be great. My hope is to do this 10-15 hours a week when I FIRE in May (hopefully).

My referral link is in my signature if anyone is interested. I'm happy to answer any questions.

[slappy]

I  just finished my first month teaching English online for children in China via VIPKid. Overall, I'm having a very positive experience. In my first month, which was very slow in the beginning, I earned $300 for 15 hours of teaching (well, really 12 hours since I had some no-shows). I really enjoy the teaching aspect; it doesn't take much prep work once you learn the system; and, I feel like I'm learning things as I do it.

The biggest challenge I have is figuring out my schedule. In the very beginning, I opened up too much availability since I wasn't getting any bites and then ended up with a not-ideal schedule with a couple of short nights. With working full-time and having a toddler, balancing the schedule can be difficult. Once I work that out, I think it will be great. My hope is to do this 10-15 hours a week when I FIRE in May (hopefully).

My referral link is in my signature if anyone is interested. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Ive considered this but the application process seems a bit overwhelming and I've heard only 2% of applicants actually get hired.

[wordnerd]

I  just finished my first month teaching English online for children in China via VIPKid. Overall, I'm having a very positive experience. In my first month, which was very slow in the beginning, I earned $300 for 15 hours of teaching (well, really 12 hours since I had some no-shows). I really enjoy the teaching aspect; it doesn't take much prep work once you learn the system; and, I feel like I'm learning things as I do it.

The biggest challenge I have is figuring out my schedule. In the very beginning, I opened up too much availability since I wasn't getting any bites and then ended up with a not-ideal schedule with a couple of short nights. With working full-time and having a toddler, balancing the schedule can be difficult. Once I work that out, I think it will be great. My hope is to do this 10-15 hours a week when I FIRE in May (hopefully).

My referral link is in my signature if anyone is interested. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Ive considered this but the application process seems a bit overwhelming and I've heard only 2% of applicants actually get hired.

The application process is intense; it's basically what they use to train teachers, since once you're hired on the platform and can teach. I'm not sure of % that get hired, but I think it must be higher than that. I know that there are currently 20,000 teachers, so a 2% acceptance rate would mean a million people applied.

[IWannaGo]

It's only beer money, but I take surveys. It's 50 cents or $ 1 per survey, and I do 2-3 per day for fun. I'm with 4 websites (in Canada), that's enough to have surveys each day. $ 2 x 350 or so days = $ 700. Not bad. I also (infrequently) do mystery shopping. Generally $ 20 per assignment.

Would you care to share what survey sites you've signed up with? Would really appreciate it!

[BigHaus89]

It's only beer money, but I take surveys. It's 50 cents or $ 1 per survey, and I do 2-3 per day for fun. I'm with 4 websites (in Canada), that's enough to have surveys each day. $ 2 x 350 or so days = $ 700. Not bad. I also (infrequently) do mystery shopping. Generally $ 20 per assignment.

+1 to this. I've used a multitude of different sites and made a decent chunk of change, but taking surveys get old after a while so I don't do many anymore.

Good sites I've used:
Knowledge Panel
I-Say
MySoapBox
HarrisPolls
SurveySavvy

You can redeem straight cash or gift cards( Amazon, Walmart and the like).

[socaso]

The hubs has been doing Uber in his spare time for a couple of months now. It's pretty profitable for a job you can just do when you want to. They have some useful tools such as alerts to upcoming surge pricing to help you figure out good nights to drive. On nights with a couple of big events going (concerts, sporting events, etc) the surge pricing can really add up! He generally makes $15-$25 an hour. The lowest he ever did was about $12 and hour. Not many tippers, at least in our area. My theory is that they went so many years without it that regular users aren't willing to tip now.

[nara]

We've been having our groceries delivered to our office. Last time it was a mom and her toddler who did our shopping. I'm thinking that might be a fun side gig.

[BuffaloStache]

We've been having our groceries delivered to our office. Last time it was a mom and her toddler who did our shopping. I'm thinking that might be a fun side gig.

Do you know what service you/the office used?

[Erica]

I sell on Ebay. It averages to about 3 hrs a week or so. Two of the 3 hrs per week are shopping at thrift stores while on the clock with Clients.

It comes to making about $16.50 an hour, give or take a quarter. Seems to remain about that.

Paypal stole $$ from me out of the blue, out of my back account, TWICE. Both times refused to tell me why.

It gives me enough $$ to use to buy items off ebay without having my bank account linked.

FIVERR might be a good website to try. I signed up years back and sold two gigs ($10 total) in the first day, then had to move really quick... so quit doing it after just 2 days. I re-mailed two envelopes sent to me

[dakota5176]

I was very disappointed with Appen. My child recorded 750 phrases for a project they were doing.  Got emails saying everything was approved and accepted. Still haven't seen any money. After ignoring my email for days they now are offering me less than half of what the job was contracted for. I won't use them again the money is not worth the aggravation.

I have had a positive experience with murk on Amazon. I do surveys in my spare time and make around $150 a month. It's really boring but I can do it in my pajamas while watching tv. There is a learning curve but once you get the hang of the scripts it is easy.