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General Discussion => Share Your Badassity => Topic started by: Code7phil on November 21, 2016, 04:03:50 PM

Title: Uber for extra income
Post by: Code7phil on November 21, 2016, 04:03:50 PM
I have a seasonal business that really slows (almost stops) during the late fall and winter. Ive been considering Uber or Lyft to make some extra cash during off season. I usually save up money to get me through the winter but that puts the brakes on paying off debt and socking away cash for retirement. I already too old for early retirement so I'm just trying to make up for lost time. Any thoughts on Uber or Lyft?
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: renata ricotta on November 21, 2016, 05:10:50 PM
I haven't done it, but I ask my uber and lyft drivers which they prefer (a lot of people drive both or have tried both), and most say Lyft. I understand Lyft pays better, and you can get tips. I know they also have a car rental program in certain cities; it cuts into your pay, but you don't have to put miles on your own personal vehicle that way (or risk having people barf in your own backseat or whatever). I think the downside is that the times where there is most demand (weekend nights, holidays) and there is the potential for the most money are also the times when most people would rather be doing their own thing and not driving for Uber/Lyft.
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Code7phil on November 21, 2016, 05:58:08 PM
My son in California has started Uber a couple weeks ago. No bad reports as of yet and not a great deal of money yet either but he only signs on for a couple hours at a time in the evening. They just opened Lyft in my area last month, so I think I'll give it a try.
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: arebelspy on November 22, 2016, 02:42:59 AM
I already too old for early retirement so I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

Have you considered semi-retirement, and just working Spring - Early Fall, and taking the other four months off?  :)
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Captain and Mrs Slow on November 22, 2016, 06:02:50 AM
Financial Samurai wrote a few posts on Uber, it was from a few years ago so it might be a bit dated
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: KBecks on November 22, 2016, 06:15:55 AM
I gave two rides and quit, wasn't my thing.   You might also look into driving for Amazon Flex, packages instead of passengers.
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: HipGnosis on November 23, 2016, 12:36:22 PM
I gave two rides and quit, wasn't my thing.   You might also look into driving for Amazon Flex, packages instead of passengers.
That's quite interesting.  I'd never heard of it before.  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Code7phil on November 23, 2016, 01:03:46 PM
Arebelspy,  I am actually semi-retired now. I have a pension from 25 years as a police officer. I started the business to have something to do on a part time basis but it quickly got bigger than part time.  I wasn't debt free either so the business is helping me with that goal.. Part of the thing is, I just hate not doing something.  lol 
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Code7phil on November 23, 2016, 01:05:01 PM
I may look into the amazon flex deal. Thanks
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Code7phil on November 23, 2016, 02:37:16 PM
Amazon Flex isn't currently in my area..I signed up on a list if they ever do open up here, I will get notified..
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: tonysemail on November 23, 2016, 02:58:10 PM
there are so many threads about self driving cars and how uber has incentive to get rid of its drivers.
So I guess get it while you can.
in a few years, this side gig may disappear.
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: arebelspy on November 23, 2016, 05:13:19 PM
Part of the thing is, I just hate not doing something.

Sure, I get that.

But can you not come up with fun activities to do on your own, you have to seek paid employment?

I mean, getting paid for doing what you enjoy is great!  But doing it just so you're avoiding "not doing something" seems odd, to me.  That old misnomer about retirement just being sitting around.  You can go do ANYTHING... why would you ever be "not doing something"?  :)
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: gj83 on November 23, 2016, 10:19:22 PM
I did Uber and Lyft a few years ago when the rates were much higher.  My last time driving was a halloween during major surge pricing.  I asked the people if they understood it was surge when they got in and they said yes.  I ended the ride and they insisted I tell them what the fare was so they could pay me.  They said they paid their uber driver in cash earlier that night (which is forbidden).  They saw the fare and asked why I charged so much.  I said it was surge and out of my control.  They sat in my car for 20 minutes asking why I charged so much. 
By this time in Uber's surge pricing they made you type in the surge multiplier before they would let you request the ride so these people were just trying to play ignorant because they thought I was the one in control of the fare.

It wasn't worth it anymore.  It was at $2.25/mile but not $0.75/mile.

Lyft is better because the riders are usually nicer and they can tip in the app, but back when I drove if you ran both apps while waiting you would get 3 ubers for every 1 lyft.  The people I knew making money on Lyft were the mentors.


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Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Metric Mouse on November 24, 2016, 06:55:30 AM
there are so many threads about self driving cars and how uber has incentive to get rid of its drivers.
So I guess get it while you can.
in a few years, this side gig may disappear.

Will be exciting either way!
Title: Re: Uber for extra income
Post by: Cassie on November 24, 2016, 04:31:30 PM
My son and step-son both do this and have made some good $ for Uber. People can tip in cash and that is what we do when we use it.  They both enjoy it and have had very few jerks. Most of the drivers we have had are older people and super nice.  YOur car can't be older then 10. They also go to places when there are big events, etc.