Gridwise blog

We know you don’t live under a rock, so you’re aware of a scary fact of life: the cost of driving is going up. Worse yet, expenses such as gas, food, and other basics are slated to keep escalating. While this is very much the reality, there’s no reason to allow rising prices to keep you off the road.

In this article, we’ll go through some facts about what’s going on and why, but we’re not going to pontificate and whine about it – there are ways to maximize your earnings in the face of any kind of economic weather. We’re hitting you with four hacks that will let you earn more no matter how much costs go up. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The whats and whys behind the rising costs of driving
• How companies are helping
• Hacking your way out of the hole

1. Driving strategy
2. Smooth economic moves
3. Up your game to get more tips
4. Shuffle over to a side hustle

• Keeping your head above water

The whats and whys behind the rising costs of driving

If media coverage of the rising price of gas, food, and other items isn’t enough, surely your recent experience reveals that you’re paying more for your purchases. Drivers everywhere are watching their take-home pay evaporate due to higher prices at the pump, at food stores, and elsewhere.

According to March 30, 2022 data from AAA, the average price of regular gasoline has risen 32.4 percent since this time last year. (To learn more about why, check out this Gridwise blog post.) And unfortunately, rising fuel prices are not all we have to contend with.

The costs of insurance and vehicle maintenance are also much higher than they were a year ago. Insurance companies, like most operations, face a rise in the cost of doing business. It’s no surprise that they’ll be passing the extra burden on to their customers, namely, us drivers.

In a February 2022 article, Bankrate cites the following reasons for upping the prices of premiums:

• Inflation
• Supply chain disruptions
• Labor shortages
• Changing driving habits (return to pre-pandemic driving patterns)

It looks like we all need to prepare for when those auto insurance policies come up for renewal this year.

Vehicle maintenance is another driver necessity that’s going up in price. Have you stopped by to see your favorite mechanic for regular service, inspection, or repair lately?

First, you’ll likely be waiting longer than usual to get your vehicle scheduled.

A repair tech shortage has struck the industry, according to this recent Forbes article. The reasons behind the thinner population of skilled mechanics are waves of retirement and resignations due to the pandemic. Most likely, that “cost of doing business” factor also plays into the high cost of parts, as does the supply chain disruption.

Speaking of the supply chain, the price of food is rising, too – and not just in the United States. Global food prices have risen 20.7 percent this year so far, according to statistics from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, reported by the New York Post.

Looking at all this, it’s easy for a driver to get depressed. After all, Uber driver pay and Instacart shopper pay can only go so far to cover costs like these. How can you possibly keep your net earnings up in the face of all these financially draining factors?

How companies are helping

In an effort to help drivers cope with rising fuel costs, Uber added a gas surcharge to fares in mid-March, and was the first company to do so. Since then, others have followed suit.

Lyft tacked on a surcharge similar to Uber’s, as did Instacart. Meanwhile, DoorDash, Grubhub, and some other food delivery companies have taken a different approach. They are offering bonuses for drivers who deliver most, as well as a cash-back program drivers can cash in on at the pump.

Although these efforts might offer a sliver of help, there’s no doubt that drivers are going to need more. There’s no sign of soaring prices retreating in the foreseeable future, so drivers who want to earn more will need to make major changes.

Hacking your way out of the hole

There’s no reason to wallow in the misery of rising prices. There’s a lot you can do to change the equation and get your bank balance back to where it needs to be. Here are four hacks to get you going.

Hack #1: Driving strategy

So many of our friends and relatives seem to think making a living at gig driving is as simple as jumping into your vehicle and heading out – which, as we all know, is far from the truth. Every successful gig driver knows you need to have a good driving strategy. There’s a lot of tactical effort that goes into a high-quality strategy, so let’s look at the components that will do you the most good.

Track your mileage as well as your earnings

Everyone looks at the bottom line; e.g., “How much have I made so far on this shift?” But the figure flashing on your app’s screen doesn’t tell the whole story. You need to know how many miles you’ve driven for your apps, for two important reasons:

1. To see how much you make per mile, and
2. To deduct your annual mileage from your income, and reduce your taxes.

This Gridwise article offers more tips and tricks to help you keep your tax bill down. It also shows you that if you want the best Uber mileage tracker, or slickest DoorDash mileage tracker, you need Gridwise. Here’s what it can do:

Monitor your earning trends

When you examine how much you’re making, week over week and month over month, you can see how profitable your business is. Moreover, you can tweak your strategy to ensure that you maximize your effectiveness and your earnings.

Keeping track of these facts and figures isn’t that easy – unless you use Gridwise.

When you sync your driving apps with Gridwise, you get:

• Weekly earning reports that show where you’ve driven and how much you’ve made for all the services you drive for.
• The ability to go back in history to find out how much you made in the past, predict seasonal trends, and base your budget on what you can expect to earn during different time periods.

Use the art of multi-apping to cash in on bonuses

In an effort to get as many drivers working as they can, the companies are offering all sorts of incentives. Take advantage of this situation by keeping a close eye on what bonuses are out there, and then jump on them when they come up. For instance, if Lyft is offering incentives for new drivers, and you’re normally on Uber, switch it up for a week and collect the extra cash.

In the same vein, if the food delivery companies show more generosity with support for higher fuel costs, try that out and see how it goes. You can keep doing this to get the most out of each company as offers come up.

Gridwise can be invaluable for this multi-apping strategy, too. All your earnings, for every app you use, are consolidated in concise and colorful graphs like these:

With Gridwise, it’s super easy to see how your Instacart or DoorDash driver pay compares to what you get from your other apps. When you make Gridwise part of your driving strategy, you’ll see how much you’re earning, and which app is giving you the most cash for your efforts.

Hack #2: Slash your expenses

We’ve already acknowledged how hard it’s become to keep up with costs. Now, let’s look at what we can do to keep them under control. Of course, paying for the expenses that keep your gig business rolling is not an option – but there are steps you can take to keep costs down. Let’s look at some that are obvious, and others we want you to learn about.

Save on gas

There are ways to save on gas even when you’re not at the pump, such as avoiding hard acceleration when you don’t need to zip around so fast. You’ll also save your brakes, not to mention your passengers’ nerves, if you drive with the goal of giving a smoother ride.

When it’s time to fill up, though, you’re going to need even more help, and we don’t mean the family credit card. Here’s something that will definitely be there for you when you have to pay at the pump.

Gridwise Gas

This gas discount deal, in partnership with GasBuddy, saves you cash at a time when you need it most. Join for free and automatically save 2 cents per gallon, then work your way up to saving 25 cents per gallon on each fill-up. Gridwise Gas works like a credit card, and is accepted at up to 95 percent of service stations nationwide, so it’s easy to find places where you can save.

And, if you join Gridwise Plus, you automatically get a 10-cent per gallon discount on up to 50 gallons per month. Simply check the GasBuddy app for discounts before filling up, go to the service station to do your thing, and the rest is automatic.

Minimize repair and maintenance costs

You drive – a lot. Your mechanic can tell by looking at your vehicle, and that’s why you can’t afford to not get your car the care it needs. Smooth-running vehicles get timely and complete vehicle maintenance. And, as we noted earlier in this post, costs are going up. You need a discount program you can depend on, which is why Gridwise offers you a special partnership.

Gridwise + Car Advise

With this deal for Gridwise drivers, you get from 10–40 percent off repair and maintenance costs. You can choose from thousands of auto service centers. The app lets you find shops in your area and compare them to ensure you’re getting the best price. When you do all this, then apply the discount, those “spa days” for your vehicle won’t feel like a big splurge.

Even if you do everything possible to save money, you can still get stuck with supersized repair bills – and if that happens, you won’t be driving at all. That’s why there’s also a way to protect yourself from unexpected and much bigger expenses.

Gridwise + ForeverCar

This great Gridwise partnership can help protect you from a wallet-crushing blow when you encounter major repairs. Gridwise + ForeverCar provides you with a protective policy at a 44% discount on a vehicle service plan.

Don’t let food and drink expenses creep up on you

We’ve all got to eat, of course, and drivers also need to stay hydrated. It’s tempting to pick up all the snacks we like to indulge in at the local bodega or other convenience store, but with the way food costs are exploding, that’s not the best idea. Instead, consider …

• Packing a homemade sandwich instead of buying burgers and fries;
• Buying snacks in bulk so you can save and almost never run out of pretzels and nuts;
• Filling up your water bottle with a gallon jug you keep in the trunk;
• Picking up beverages you like at a discount, and keeping extras with you.

Who knows? If you become more conscious about the snacks and beverages you imbibe while on the road, your wallet might not be the only beneficiary of this healthy change.

Be smart about insurance

Insurance may seem like an expense you can live without, but it isn’t. You need coverage for those times when (often unexpected) things happen that affect your health or your livelihood.

Insurance costs vary widely, so do some research and put together a package that works for you. Gridwise has insurance plans that cater to drivers. They cover all that drivers need and can be obtained for a very low price. For instance, with Gridwise Dollar Benefits you can choose from …

No-cost life insurance. Get up to $10K of life and AD&D insurance just for signing up. Then, you can pick and choose from affordable plans like these, starting at only $1 per week:

• Telemedicine: A $0 copay and unlimited virtual doctor’s visits, available 24/7.
• Dental coverage: Dental procedures can be costly, and this policy saves you from 20 to 50 percent on most of them.
• Vision insurance: Big discounts on everything from exams and eye care to slick eyewear.
• Medical coverage for accidents: After a major wreck, you could have major doctor bills. This program gives you $1,000 for medical expenses and deductibles to help you hold it all together.
• Roadside assistance: Sometimes you need a tow, a tire change, battery service, fuel delivery, and help when you’re locked out of your car. This policy covers it all so you can feel safe and protect yourself from unexpected expenses.
• Phone protection: It’s no joke – for drivers, our phone is our life. Get coverage on up to three devices for damage and theft.
• Teletherapy: Drivers have a lot to stress about, too. This policy offers weekly 30-minute teletherapy visits with a $0 co-pay.
• Life insurance: Add on to the no-cost plan to make sure your loved ones have everything they need should you leave this life.
• AD&D insurance: If you have a catastrophic accident, you or your family members need emergency cash. This policy offers $20,000 of coverage.
• Critical illness insurance: Should a critical illness strike and make work impossible, you get $2,500 cash for covered illnesses.

These low-cost policies have a high impact on your level of protection, can save you money, and offer you peace of mind. Read more about Gridwise Dollar Benefits here.

Hack #3: Use your tools and hone your skills

You know it and we know it – gig driving is not just about sitting behind the wheel. There are things drivers do that make this job part skill and part creativity, and taking these aspects seriously will help you boost your earnings.

Going that extra mile applies to rideshare and delivery drivers, too. There are steps you can take to stand out from the rest of the fleet, improve your customers’ experiences, and pump up your ability to earn tips. Some of these suggestions involve small investments, which will definitely pay off. Others … well, they just happen to be free.

Rideshare drivers can …

• Be courteous and engaging: Gauge a customer’s penchant for conversation, honor it, and if they want to talk, have a friendly exchange.
• Open doors and carry bags: If you notice someone struggling to balance a baby and several grocery bags or a suitcase, put the car in park, get out, and lend a hand.
• Offer amenities: Give your passengers the option to have some water or a light snack while they’re in your car.
• Cater to customer tastes: Ask riders what kinds of tunes (if any) they like to roll with. Inquire about their temperature preferences, too. Then, give the people what they want.
• Offer ideas: If a customer seems conflicted about choosing the best place to eat or have a few drinks, offer up your knowledge of the local scene.

Food and package delivery drivers can …

• Be a human thermos. Keep hot things hot and cold things cold by using the right bags, boxes, and other equipment.
• Use compact crates and extra boxes to protect packages from being damaged.
• Use a dolly or small cart to easily deliver multiple packages or heavy loads.
• Communicate! If you’re stuck in traffic, can’t find an item you were supposed to bring in the grocery load, or the restaurant is several minutes behind, let your customer know. They’ll be glad you did and are likely to make sure you get a tip for your trouble.

Additional free help

Find the hot spots to work and the busiest times of day with Where to Drive and When to Drive from Gridwise. You really need these features now that you have to make every mile you drive more profitable.

Hack #4: Shuffle over to a side hustle

If you take the advice we’ve offered so far, you’re bound to earn more and save on expenses. But … if you want to make even more cash, there are ways to do it without driving. You don’t have to work yourself to death to keep up with a side hustle, either. Many give you a chance to set yourself up with every freelancer’s financial fantasy: passive income.

• nUVo is a high-tech way to keep the air in your car fresh and up to 99 percent germ-free. This innovative company has partnered with Gridwise to help you earn as much as $500 per month simply for referring your customers. Get more details on this when you click on the “Offers” tab in the Gridwise app.

• Get money just for offering your opinion and testing products with American Consumer Opinion (ACOP). Sign up through Gridwise and get started right away.

• Got extra space? Neighbor puts you in touch with people who’ll happily pay you to store their stuff. From an extra car in the garage to a closet full of NIB Star Wars figures from the ‘90s, you can let your spare stashing space make money for you while you do … whatever else you want.

• With Play Octopus you’ll earn money while you drive. Rideshare customers will dig gaming – and maybe even win prizes – while you safely whisk them to their destination. You get cash rewards and referral bonuses; and when you help people have more fun, you may get bigger tips.

• There’s one more sure way to earn extra money. When you’re not using your car, rent it out to someone else. With Gridwise Rental, you can earn up to $720 per month by renting out your car.

Keeping your head above water

Now that you’ve learned about all these great ways to cut back costs and boost your gig driving earnings, maybe you won’t feel so upset over the economy’s ups and downs. Using smart strategies, multi-apping, saving on necessities, and considering side gigs can definitely help you keep your head above water, even in times like these, when it feels like we’re all treading for our lives in the deep end.

Whatever you do, be sure to take advantage of the numerous benefits available to you through Gridwise. In these tough times, it’s a resource you literally can’t afford to be without.

Download Gridwise now!

At Gridwise, we talk to drivers all the time. And along with making more money (who doesn’t want that?), drivers often express their interest in diversifying their gigs and, in turn, their earnings. If you’re one of them, Dolly may be just what you’re looking for.

Dolly is an on-demand start-up that specializes in small-scale moves. The company connects customers who need the service with contractors who can provide it. In July 2021, when Dolly was acquired by major moving services provider Updater, this solidified the start-up’s place as a viable option for users who need one specific kind of help: moving larger items such as furniture.

But is Dolly a good option for drivers?

What is Dolly?

Dolly's furniture delivery service lets users request help from drivers, whom they call “Helpers,” with trucks, cargo vans, or trailers for a number of services around moving, storage, and even retail store delivery.

Dolly’s service list also includes:

• Labor-only moves: Help customers with loading, unloading, and moving without using your own vehicle;
• Donation pick-up and drop-off: Complete donations for customers;
• Online marketplace pick-up and delivery: Transport items customers purchase on marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and others;
• Small business moves: Support local businesses by helping them get settled in a new office;
• Junk removal: You get the idea.

Users submit their job in the app and Helpers request as many jobs as their equipment and time allow. Dolly Helpers can see the final payout before accepting jobs and get to keep 100 percent of any tips they earn.

If a job requires more than one Helper, multiple people can be approved to work on it. Once connected, Helpers can share jobs with others they’d like to work with. Who says self-employment has to be lonely?

Currently, Dolly is operating in 45 U.S. cities and has plans to expand. See a full list of the company’s current markets here.

Is it hard to become a Dolly Driver?

Dolly operates a little differently than other delivery services like Amazon Prime or Roadie because of the services offered.

There are two separate ways to join Dolly as a gig worker: Helper or Hands.

Dolly Helpers are the “truck + muscle” of the platform. These are workers who are willing to put their body and their vehicle to work. Here are the requirements for Dolly Helper:

• 21+ years of age
• Valid driver’s license and insurance
• Access to a pickup truck, cargo van, box truck, or vehicle with trailer, none of which is older than model year 2000
• Android or iOS smartphone
• Able to pass background check
• Able to consistently lift and move large items (75+ lbs.)
• PayPal account for payouts

Those who are interested in getting work with Dolly but who don’t have access to an appropriate vehicle can work as Dolly Hands. Requirements include:

• 18+ years of age
• Valid driver’s license
• Able to get to and from Dolly locations
• Pass background check
• Lift 75+ lbs

There is also a third option for those who’d like to work regularly with a Helper as a Dolly Assistant. To get assigned as a subcontractor, email Dolly with the name of the Helper you’d like to work with.

How much do Dolly Drivers make?

One advantage of the Dolly platform is consistent hourly pay, which makes Dolly a great option for drivers looking for delivery platforms that pay well.

As stated on the Dolly website, Dolly Helpers are paid $40/hour or more, and Dolly Hands make $25/hour or more. The top performing Helpers can average around $60-$90/hr., and top performing Hands can even average between $40-$60/hr. All Dolly workers are paid weekly via PayPal. This puts Dolly driver earnings above the average for Amazon Flex drivers in 2021.

As with any gig job, hourly earnings can be deceptive since there’s no guarantee for consistent work. According to Comparably, the national average for Dolly drivers is $33,103 per year – but no two drivers, and no two markets, are the same.

The best way to track your earnings and spend more of your time working the gigs that actually pay is to download Gridwise. Automatically track and report earnings from all your apps so you can see what’s making the most money and when.

Costs of driving for Dolly

As with any self-employed gig, driving for Dolly means you’re responsible for the costs of completing jobs.

Because of the larger deliveries, the wear and tear on your vehicle (and your body) is likely to be higher with Dolly than other small-item delivery or rideshare gigs.

Dolly drivers might want to invest in additional equipment to complete their jobs, including:

• Straps
• Protective mats and tarps
• Gloves and other PPE

As a Dolly driver, you also need to consider the health risks associated with your work. Thankfully, Dolly offers help in the form of OAI (occupational accident insurance) for Helpers and Hands who might be injured on the job.

Even with on-the-job coverage, it’s smart to consider all of your options for health insurance as a gig driver. And remember that Gridwise is not an insurance advisor; always consult with a licensed professional.

Driving for Dolly in 2022

With its high hourly earnings and growing place in the market for delivery services, Dolly is a great option for drivers who own larger vehicles and want a more active gig. You can apply here to become a Dolly Helper or Dolly Hand.

Many cities in the U.S. are experiencing new highs in moving rates – both in and out. This could pose a great opportunity for new and existing Dolly drivers to start or expand their business.
Do you think it’s a good time to get into the delivery business? Let us know on our driver community page, and download Gridwise today to keep up with the latest.

If gas prices stay where they are, rideshare and delivery drivers will need to find ways to cut costs, earn more, or lose their profitability.

One way that Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and other gig drivers can reduce gas costs is by switching to an electric vehicle. Uber and Lyft offer incentives to reward drivers using electric vehicles, but they're the only major gig companies to do so.

As more automakers diversify their lineups with zero emissions vehicles, the future looks increasingly electric. And with rapid advancements in battery technology, there’s never been a better time to own an electric vehicle. TrueCar, an auto buying company, has weighed the pros and cons of owning an EV. Based on their research, zero emissions vehicles can save you money compared to their gasoline counterparts - and here's how.

Never Fill Up Again

Although the price of electricity and gas will vary depending on your location, you can generally expect charging an electric car to be significantly less expensive compared to filling up at the pump. According to Consumer Reports, charging at home can save EV owners up to $1,000 a year compared to gasoline.

If you don’t drive often or don’t have a long commute, you may find that charging your electric vehicle using an ordinary 120-volt outlet is sufficient for your needs. However, a Level 2 charger rated at 240 volts can provide power at a much faster rate. This equipment can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,200, and that’s before installation. Don’t forget to factor this in if you determine that you need a charging station at home. It should be noted that it’s not uncommon for home charger installation to cost more than the equipment itself. The good news is that utility companies may offer rebates to help offset the extra expense.

You can also plug in at a public charging station. Pricing is usually tied to the amount of time spent charging your vehicle, but you can expect this standard to change. California has mandated that newly built charging stations bill by kilowatt-hour, rather than by the minute, beginning in 2021 with Level 2 charging and 2023 for DC fast charging. That’s a good thing, and we wouldn’t be surprised if more states follow suit.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Electric vehicles are still considered a premium product and are priced accordingly. However, with fewer moving parts and no internal combustion, they are also less expensive to maintain in the long term. When it comes to repairs and maintenance, a study by Consumer Reports found that EV owners save an average of $4,600 on maintenance over the total lifespan of the vehicle, which means EV owners are spending half as much on maintenance as compared to owners of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Current electric vehicles run on lithium ion batteries, just like cell phones. That means that their charging capacity will degrade over time. An EV battery can be costly to replace—at an average of $5,500—but they can also last for up to ten years before this service is required. So if you’re in it for the long term, maintaining an electric vehicle may be more affordable than you realize.

Automakers also tend to offer longer warranties with electric vehicles. There are many electric vehicles with six-year warranties, with some, like the Hyundai Kona Electric and BMW i3, offering unlimited mileage. Plus, federal law requires electric vehicle batteries to be under warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles. With that kind of coverage, it’s safe to say that you can feel confident about owning an electric vehicle.

Tax Credits, Rebates and Other Incentives

If you buy a new electric vehicle, you may be eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits. Vehicles from every major automaker are eligible for the full amount, while plug-in hybrids have lower rebates based on their reduced battery capacity. If you lease your vehicle, the automaker will receive the tax credit, but you will typically see some savings reflected in your monthly payment. This does still happen but, on more rare occasions. You should always ask about the Federal Tax Credit when leasing your EV.

Keep in mind that once a manufacturer sells 200,000 electric vehicles in a year, the federal tax credit will be reduced and eventually phased out. The total amount of sales applies to the entire lineup, not just individual models. So if you’re looking to reduce your tax liability, buying an electric vehicle sooner can make a lot of sense.

Depending on where you live, your new electric vehicle may also be eligible for various state incentives. These can include additional tax credits, rebates, funding for home charger installation and HOV lane access. Be sure to check your local state laws and incentives and see what you may qualify for.

Time Is Money

Electric vehicles can save you more time than you may realize. Instead of spending time filling up at the gas station, you can recharge while you’re at home—just like you do with your phone. And with EV charging infrastructure expanding quickly across the country, it’s becoming easier to plug in at work or while running errands.

If you live in a state that offers HOV lane access for electric vehicles, you can also expect to spend less time in bumper-to-bumper traffic. For example, the average commuter in Houston saves anywhere from 12 to 22 minutes each trip by taking the HOV lane, which can easily add up over a year. That’s more time spent moving and less time wishing you were in the carpool lane.

And with fewer parts to maintain, you likely won’t have to spend as much time at the dealership service center or mechanic. Say goodbye to oil changes. You’ll still need to rotate your tires and replace your windshield wipers, but the amount of service required for electric vehicles is quite reduced when compared to standard vehicles.

What About Used Electric Cars?

Electric cars are becoming more and more mainstream, which means that it’s also becoming easier to buy one used. You won’t qualify for federal and state incentives if you go this route, but there are plenty of other great reasons to buy a used electric vehicle. Some of them are obvious, and some aren’t.

Depreciation leads to great deals, and today you can find many of the most popular electric vehicles for a bargain. That includes the Tesla Model S, many of which are still under battery warranty. For those on a tighter budget, the Chevy Bolt delivers over 200 miles of range and is quite affordable. If you’re looking for familiar sounding names, check out our guide to the six popular cars also available as electric vehicles.

Of course, it’s not all about dollars and cents. Electric vehicles help lower your carbon footprint, but buying a used electric vehicle goes even further. Producing a vehicle creates emissions and consumes resources, while buying used helps extend the life of a vehicle that’s already been built. Chalk that up as a double win.

While electric vehicles are a great way to solve the gas problem, electric vehicles are hard to come by affordably right now. To help rideshare and delivery drivers navigate the path to becoming an EV owner, TrueCar provides a guide to switching to an electric vehicle. With TrueCar, you can search for available electric vehicles in your location and price range!

Interested in owning an EV for your rideshare or delivery business?

Check out TrueCar to find your perfect car!

The content of this article is provided courtesy of TrueCar. The original blog post can be found here.

“Plan ahead” is a good motto for that thing they call “adulting.” Sure, as a gig worker, you might find it hard to be flush enough to pay the bills each month, so putting hard-earned cash into a retirement fund might seem like a luxury you can’t afford to think about until the far-flung future comes to pass. Don’t be fooled. The truth is, especially as an independent contractor, you need to start planning, and saving, for retirement as soon as possible.

Before you let a wave of overwhelm knock you backwards, read this post to the end. We'll show you a three-step process that helps you save for retirement so you can start stashing cash long before it’s time to hang up your car key once and for all. Here’s what we’ll discuss:

• Is it even possible for gig workers to retire?
• What a gig driver retirement plan might look like
• Your three-step plan

Is it even possible for gig workers to retire?

As a gig worker, it’s hard to picture yourself, feet up on a chaise lounge, cold drink in hand, musing on just what you’ll do with your days now that you’ve retired from your long-time job. Why? Well, as independent contractors, gig workers don’t get the cushy benefits packages that come with working for a corporation.

Most companies contribute half of an employee’s Social Security tax and also offer retirement plans. There are pensions for some workers, too. Most of the time, though, employers will match the savings their workers put into a 401(k) or other retirement plan, and after a few decades of investment, there can be a tidy sum waiting for the newly minted retiree.

Sadly, there’s no guarantee any such thing will be waiting for gig workers. Companies talk a lot about gig driver benefits, but so far, in terms of saving for retirement, gig workers are still pretty much on their own.

This situation reveals the downside of what it means to be “independent” – but don’t despair. You’re not the only one who’s grappling with ways to create plans for your retirement. A December 2021 Pew research survey found that most 1099 workers don’t have a retirement plan. Even if they had the money left over to put aside, they found another obstacle: a lack of access to retirement savings plans.

And, when you look at how much wages fluctuate for gig drivers, the situation gets even more complicated. How can you project an amount you’ll put into a retirement plan when it’s often impossible to know how much you’ll make in a given week or month? This often stands in a gig worker’s way of regularly scheduled saving.

Often, when you set up a savings program, you could be looking at automatic payments coming out of your account that you can’t always afford. That’s enough to scare even the most retirement-minded gig worker away, but it shouldn’t be.

Obviously, all gig workers, at some point, will reach retirement age, and will need to stop working. If we want to be able to do this without relying on the goodwill of our relatives or the state (and we don’t mean winning the lottery), it will be up to us to put together a retirement plan for ourselves. How can this be done? Let’s look at what you might be left with when it’s time to retire, and how you might formulate a plan.

What a gig driver retirement plan might look like

No matter what you do, it won’t be like you’ll be left with nothing. The one thing you can count on as part of your 1099 benefits (if you play the game correctly), is Social Security. If you pay into Social Security, there will be some benefits in the pot at the other side of that retirement rainbow – but don’t get too excited. The amount of money you ultimately get from Social Security will probably fail to support even a very modest lifestyle.

Still, you’ll want to make sure you collect as much from Social Security as you can. To do this, you must file and pay self-employment tax. Although you have no employer to pay the other half of that tax, there are deductions that let you balance your payment so it isn’t too much different from what you’d pay as an employee of a company. 

You’ll also get work credits for Medicare when you file self-employment taxes. That happens, of course, as a result of paying a tax for Medicare, so be prepared for that, too. Another thing: Be aware that your gig company won’t always send you the forms or information that’s required. See this article from the Social Security Administration to learn about all the forms and procedures you’ll need to successfully pay self-employment tax.

The other necessary component of a gig driver’s retirement plan is a solid retirement account. There are no real 1099 benefits beyond Social Security, at least not under the umbrella of the average gig company. You’ll have to find a way to open an Individual Retirement Account of some kind. Many drivers favor the Roth IRA because it’s easier to withdraw money for emergencies. 

Follow this link to learn more about the varieties of retirement fund options available for 1099 workers. The different types have complex rules about taxation on withdrawals and maximum annual contributions. It can be a lot for anyone, even the cleverest gig driver, to contemplate without help, so it’s wise to seek informed advice.

It wouldn’t be fair to say that the gig companies don’t do anything toward helping their workers plan for retirement. In California, since Prop 22 went into effect, the companies have offered to do more for drivers. Elsewhere, there are options for an Uber 401(k) and a Lyft 401(k), both of which give you access to a robo advisor to help you choose the right plan with a third-party company. 

There’s also a DoorDash 401(k) of sorts. It’s known as CalSavers and is offered by the State of California, but you don’t have to be a Cali resident to qualify. The program is available to Dashers in all 50 states. DoorDash also offers an information source to help drivers with saving and investing in preparation for retirement. The motion toward better conditions for gig workers might someday bring us Uber benefits and DoorDash benefits that go beyond extra perks on the app or waivers of food delivery charges.

Still, there’s no contribution offered yet. Working for these and other gig companies leaves drivers to fend for themselves. So, let’s look now to a more concrete kind of plan you can start to put together now, years and maybe even decades before you ultimately plan to retire.

Your 3-step plan

Now you have some idea of what your retirement savings needs to look like. You know you have to start saving. But … that’s not so easy. Drivers have expenses such as car repairs, fuel, and extra insurance, on top of the usual items such as housing, utilities, taxes, and food. Because you don’t have a big company pitching in, you have to know what you’re doing and stay on top of your game. Here’s how you can do that.

Step 1: Track every penny you earn

As you may have noticed while reviewing the material about Social Security taxes and the various options for IRAs, you’ll need to maximize your tax deductions so you can keep as much of your money as possible.

The best way to do this is to track your earnings and expenses with a state-of-the-art tracking tool such as Gridwise. As the world’s best gig driver assistant, Gridwise offers you the ability to sync your gig apps so all earnings and mileage are recorded on every shift. You can record every expense you incur manually. After that, simply tap a few times on your Gridwise app screen, and you’ll get all the facts and figures you need in graphs like these:

Keep track of all your larger, recurring expenses, too. These include car insurance, inspection, maintenance, registration, and other charges that you must pay to keep your vehicle legal and in running order. Plus, there are other big-ticket items such as income tax, health insurance, and life insurance you’ll have to think about. When you have all the details about your earnings and expenses at your fingertips, you’ll be able to calculate how much you can reasonably expect to save toward retirement.

Another way to maximize your earnings is by driving the routes that make you the most money. Gridwise has got everything you need to help you stay on track with your driving strategy. Use Where to Drive, When to Drive, and Compare Services to see where drivers are making the most, and once you find the right strategy for you, stick to it. Variety is nice when you’re driving and delivering, but when you’re trying to make more money, consistency is a better way to go.

Step 2: Cut costs where possible

Find affordable benefits

The cost of running your gig business is high enough, so adding on costs such as medical insurance, life insurance, and AD&D insurance can push it sky-high. You need benefits, that’s for sure, but you can’t have them take a super-sized bite out of your earnings. 

Gridwise Dollar Benefits is a program developed to bring you what you’ve been hoping for: real and affordable gig worker benefits. You can get the quality insurance coverage you need at incredibly low rates. Taking just this one step toward cutting insurance costs can easily leave you with enough savings to invest in your retirement.

Cut back on larger, recurring expenses

There are even more ways to cut costs, and Gridwise has the help you need.

Gridwise Gas

Fuel prices have gone through the roof, but Gridwise Gas keeps them within reach. Save up to 25 cents on every fill-up!

Gridwise + CarAdvise

Leaving your car with a mechanic for repairs or maintenance can be as nerve-wracking as waiting for a loved one to come out of surgery – you never know what might go wrong, and the costs can pile up. Gridwise + CarAdvise can get you amazing discounts off retail prices – as much as 40 percent! Now you can breathe easy while your automobile’s in for a once-over or emergency triage.

Research more deals, discounts, and tools to help gig drivers
There are plenty of discounts, deals, and giveaways around, and Gridwise has a whole bunch of them. Also, you can get gig driving tips and tricks from the Gridwise blog. Gridwise is always looking out for ways drivers can pump up their earnings, and that will help you get that extra money for your IRA.

Step 3: Be diligent with your savings

Now that you know how to get your earning – and adulting – acts together, you’re ready to take steps toward building that retirement fund. Some steps you can take include:

Use a banking app or another system that automatically deducts money from your earnings and sends it to a very safe place: your retirement fund. Research different banks, and find some that will assist you in choosing the right kind of 401(k).

Consistency is key to higher earnings, and it’s even more important when it comes to saving. If you keep contributing to your 401(k) or Roth IRA over time, your savings will grow, and a nice nest egg will be waiting for you when you’re ready to retire from your gig. Get ready to sip on that cold drink somewhere under the sun, someday.

Until then, make sure you plan ahead for that time, and all the time, with Gridwise.

Download the best rideshare and delivery assistant now!

It’s that time of the year again … time to look back at 2021 driver earnings, and then crunch the numbers to determine the best rideshare service to work in 2022, Uber vs. Lyft. 

Using the real data collected from hundreds of thousands of Gridwise drivers, we’ll cover these topics: 

• Which pays more, Uber or Lyft? 
• Which rideshare company has better incentives?
• Top ways to maximize your Uber or Lyft earnings 
• And ultimately, what’s the best rideshare service to work for in 2022? 

Let’s drive. 

Which pays more, Uber or Lyft?

To help drivers understand which rideshare app pays the most, we took a look at 2021 monthly driver earnings for Uber and Lyft. While earnings fluctuate and depend on location, demand, and other factors, here are the big takeaways: 

Hourly Uber and Lyft driver pay is almost equal. In 2021, Uber drivers made an average of $22.49/hour and Lyft drivers made an average of $22.16/hour. 

Uber drivers make more per trip than Lyft drivers. Uber drivers made an average of $14.28/trip while Lyft driver pay was $12.95/trip. 

Both Uber and Lyft driver pay is highest in April. During April 2021, Uber drivers made $25.96/hour while Lyft drivers made $24.30/hour. 

If we assume that Uber and Lyft driver earnings will remain relatively constant for 2022, both apps seem to pay about the same for full-time drivers. However, part-time rideshare drivers might see the highest per-hour earnings with Uber. 

Here’s the complete data for the year. 

Does Uber or Lyft have better incentives? 

Both Uber and Lyft offer bonuses for new drivers as well as drivers who are active on the platform. In theory, these are a great way to bump up your earnings. 

For example, Uber Quest allows drivers who complete 40 trips in a week to earn an additional $40. Uber’s Consecutive Trips incentive allows drivers to earn more when they work during peak times: A driver can earn an extra $6 for three trips in a row between 4 and 6 p.m. 

Lyft offers similar incentives. Drivers can earn more for ride streaks or for driving in “Bonus Zones.” 

But there seems to be a catch. 

Many drivers report that incentives are mostly designed to bring new users onto the platform. If you’re already driving regularly, or plan to start, incentives won’t factor as heavily into your earnings.

What’s your experience with Uber or Lyft driver incentives? Let us know below or share it with our exclusive driver community! 

What are the best ways to maximize your Lyft and Uber earnings? 

If you’re looking at the average earnings and find yourself thinking that you could be making more, here are a few tips to maximize what you earn (whether you’re driving delivery or rideshare). 

• Take advantage of driver discounts on gas and maintenance. There are a number of programs available to help you keep your vehicle running well without breaking the bank. It’s always wise to create a schedule for regular maintenance. This can help prevent major issues that will seriously cut into your earnings.   
• Invest in your rider experience. Air fresheners, tablets, interior signs, and other small touches can make a big impact on your rider and lead to higher tips. Plus, your vehicle is your office while you’re on the road, so it’s worth creating a workspace that suits you. 
• Track miles/earnings carefully – paper/spreadsheet isn’t always reliable if you forget to check the odometer. 

Tax Tip: Tracking your mileage and other expenses you incur while driving can actually help you keep more of your earnings at tax time when you track them accurately. Use Gridwise Tax Help to stay on top of everything and make sure you keep more of the dollars you earn. 

• Minimize small costs. Packing your own snacks and beverages might not seem like much, but those $3 gas station drinks add up quickly.  

For a complete breakdown of Instacart vs. Shipt, read our recent blog post. And if you really want to find out which app is better for your business, always drive with Gridwise.

Gridwise automatically tracks Uber and Lyft driver earnings and shows you which one earns you more money in your area in real time. The Compare Services feature allows you to see across rideshare and delivery services to find out which drivers in your city are making the most. 

So what’s the best rideshare for 2022? 

Based on our driver data, Uber and Lyft driver earnings are pretty similar on average. But Uber has a slight advantage in hourly pay, and driver incentives don’t seem to factor in as much after the first few hundred miles. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you and where, when, and how you want to drive that will lead you to find the best rideshare gig around. But you can count on Gridwise to help you do that by giving you the information you need.

On the HIGHLY unlikely chance you don’t have the Gridwise app already, download it now.

“Gridwise was part of our support system through the pandemic and they helped us strategize from a product and driver acquisition perspective.”

- Nicki Martinez, Sr. Director of Driver Operations

Overview

Octopus Interactive is the industry leader in rideshare entertainment and advertising. They improve the rideshare experience for both riders and drivers by providing tablets that feature original games, prizes, informative content, and interactive video advertisements.

This is an incredibly valuable tool that helps drivers earn more income through cash rewards, extra tips, and higher ratings while giving advertisers an opportunity to engage a captive audience inside the vehicle.

Problem

“Driver acquisition cost and overall geographic reach were two areas we needed help with.” - Nicki Martinez, Sr. Director of Driver Operations

Octopus Interactive provides a great way for drivers to earn extra income by simply placing a free tablet in their vehicle, so it’s incredibly valuable for any driver. But the most engaged, active drivers are also the most valuable to Octopus, so they specifically need to target drivers who complete the most rideshare trips. 

The team at Octopus Interactive had been leveraging traditional advertising channels such as facebook and word-of-mouth among drivers, but needed better economics at a nationwide scale.

Gridwise has been a key contributor to the driver acquisition funnel for Octopus over the past 2 years, but the well has never run dry. “Gridwise is adding new drivers at such a high rate - and we have grown into a lot of the same markets,” Martinez said. “Gridwise is one of the best partners we’ve worked with,” she continued, “and their drivers are some of the most frequent converters because of the high-quality nature of their audience.”

Strategy

By mid-2021, Octopus was ready to scale its service nationwide, and expanding the existing relationship was a no-brainer. Working closely with the Gridwise Ads team, Octopus ramped its efforts by moving from an à la carte style advertising model to a more strategic, multi-channel Sponsorship campaign.

This new approach leverages in-app placements, dedicated emails, and social retargeting to engage active rideshare drivers at different points of their work day - without being capped by a performance budget.

Visibility was key in introducing Octopus in new markets, so leveraging a static sponsorship placement in the Gridwise mobile app was crucial for branding. The placement also showcases Octopus as a contributor to the Gridwise Giveback Program, which provides gas subsidies to drivers to fight the ever-increasing costs associated with driving.

Monthly emails to drivers in target markets became a key educational component to explain how the tablet works, and the additional earning potential for drivers. These emails tend to average 27% open rate and 3-4% CTR.

Results

The leap of faith paid off immediately, as impressions increased over 2,000% in the first month of the new campaign. Applications increased 300% while their acquisition cost fell to $10 per driver, lower than any other channel, including Facebook.

“We weren’t overly surprised [by the increase in performance],” says Clay Moore, Sr. Director of Brand Partnerships with Gridwise. “We have partnered on driver acquisition for several years and it’s the type of product that drivers absolutely love,” Moore continued, “So by combining in-app, email, and social channels, we were able to create a really compelling campaign to convert really active drivers.”

Martinez added “Gridwise and Octopus make such great partners because both exist to improve the gig driving experience.” In fact, the two recently inked an exclusive partnership, solidifying Octopus as the sole tablet provider that Gridwise recommends to its drivers.

“Gridwise was part of our support system through the pandemic and they helped us strategize from a product and driver acquisition perspective,” said Martinez.

“Working with Gridwise isn’t like working with another ad platform. They don’t just set a campaign live and leave you to your own devices… They help you continuously drive better and better results,” she added, “...you can sign an agreement for 6 months and feel confident about getting results the entire time.”

Skyrocketing gas prices are no fun to watch, especially for gig drivers. When filling the tank cost half of what it does these days, it was easy to blow off those special deals that could save drivers money on gas. You could keep driving around without much worry about saving money on gas.

Things have changed now, for sure. Rising rideshare gas prices take a bite out of earnings, and high delivery gas prices mean less bacon to bring home. In this post, we’ll examine this worrisome issue and offer options that make horrifying gas prices far less taxing. Here are the points we’ll cover:

• Watching gas prices rise: where are they headed?
• Higher Uber driver gas prices and other gig driver woes
• Keep costs down with gas discounts for gig drivers and smarter driving strategies

Watching gas prices rise: where are they headed?

Drivers get around a lot, and as you make your rounds, it’s hard to ignore how the numbers on those service station signs keep going up and up. At this writing, gas prices have reached an all-time high. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in the US on March 8, 2022 was $4.173. In February of 2022, the price was $3.455, and one year ago, in March of 2021, the price was $2.774.

The rise in gas prices over the last year, and in the last several weeks especially has stemmed from various sources. The bottom line, as in all economic equations, is high demand and low supply driving up the price of crude oil, the refining process, and the costs of shipping.

People who have different political biases favor some reasons for this situation over others, and the real answer might be a combination of all these factors.You can do your own research and decide what reasons make the most sense to you. Here are some of them.

• The US just banned the import of petroleum products from Russia, due to the Ukraine conflict
• The instability of world affairs, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has pushed up the price of oil
• The aftermath of the pandemic has made it more difficult to procure and distribute cheap oil
• Disruptions in the supply chain make it harder for oil to be delivered to refineries, and from refineries to retail outlets
• Changes in US oil production policy have reduced domestic supply

If it’s any consolation, escalating oil prices is not just an American problem. The crisis that we face is global, and there are few if any signs that the trend will reverse itself any time soon. Much will depend on what happens in world events, and what steps are taken to alleviate the shortage of gas supplies.

Higher Uber driver gas prices spread woes to all gig drivers

Now, any reasonable layperson is liable to ask, “Do gig companies like Uber cover gas?” Professional drivers who’ve been through this before realize the answer is a resounding “No.” However, this situation is very extreme. It also comes at a time when Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Amazon Flex, Instacart, and other companies are struggling to get drivers back to work after the pandemic.

Because of these severe price spikes, companies may consider helping drivers out. According to an article on Bloomberg, take-home pay decreased when gas prices increase. A spokesperson for Uber also noted that the platform only works when it works for drivers, so they’ll keep watching the situation and listening to their drivers.

The increased cost of doing business affects drivers on other platforms. It’s sure to affect the supply of both rideshare and delivery drivers of all kinds. Customers for rideshare and delivery could both be back to enduring the kinds of wait periods they endured during the pandemic, as fewer drivers become willing to work longer hours or make far less than they need.

Will Uber, Lyft, and other companies raise rates to cover drivers’ gas? It’s possible - Uber has already announced that it plans to raise the Uber passenger fare in order to assist with the increased cost of driving. As of now, Lyft, DoorDash, and other gig businesses have not yet announced similar plans. You can however utilize a Lyft mileage tracker.

A trip cost increase or surcharge couldn’t possibly come too soon as far as gig workers are concerned. It’s estimated by some drivers that as much as 60% of their earnings are being ripped away from them to cover the astronomical costs of fuel.

Those who own a hybrid vehicle or an EV might not feel the pain so intensely, but it’s not easy for all drivers to get away from carbon-fueled vehicles. The high cost of EVs, plus the probability that other energy costs are likely to follow the same trajectory as oil and gas, offer little hope for cutting fuel costs, even for drivers with an EV. 

Keep costs down with gas discounts for gig drivers and smarter driving strategies

According to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gridwise partner GasBuddy, the situation isn’t going to change any time soon. He fears that high gas prices are going to stick around for months, at least. This makes it even more important for drivers to keep their costs down. How can they do that? According to De Haan, drivers should drive with fuel conservation in mind, watching their speed and limiting stop-and-go driving as much as possible.

The other thing drivers can do is limit the amount of time they spend riding sound searching for rides and deliveries. Using When to Drive and Where to Drive from Gridwise will help you find the best times and places to make the most money. 

And… there’s one more way you can cut your gas prices right now - by signing up for the best gas card for rideshare and delivery drivers: Gridwise Gas! Every cent you don't have to pay for gas is more money in your pocket.

With Gridwise and GasBuddy, you have the best gas card for gig drivers. You can get up to 25 cents off every gallon of gas you buy with your Gridwise Gas card. It’s easy. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Download Gridwise and tap "Gridwise Gas" in the Benefits tab of the app
2. Join Gridwise Gas for free and securely link your bank account. You’ll receive a Gridwise Gas payment card in the mail within a few days.
3. Download the GasBuddy app and activate your card.
4. Use your Gridwise Gas card to pay for gas (accepted at 95% of stations nationwide).

The payment will be deducted from your bank account, and your discount (up to 25¢ per gallon) will be automatically applied. You’ll also be eligible for exclusive offers and special deals.

Don’t keep paying those painful prices at the pump.

Make sure you've downloaded the Gridwise app to save more on gas

(Already downloaded Gridwise? Click here to access affordable gas for gig drivers!)

Today, we’re covering another opportunity to work for a behemoth in the scooter industry - Bird.

Bird first showed up on the streets of Santa Monica in 2017 and gave over 10 million rides in its first year of operation. The startup has now infiltrated over 100 cities across the world with the mission of cutting down CO2 emissions and traffic. Bird is also recognized as the fastest startup to achieve a $2 billion valuation, so they’re not messing around!

Since 2017, Bird has changed how they operate. While a few markets still hire independent contractors to charge the scooters, many markets now hire "fleet managers" who take on more responsibility. In this article, we’ll break down what it's like to work as a charger and a fleet manager for Bird Scooters. If you’re looking for an extra source of income in addition to gig driving, read on.

What is Bird?

Just like Lime, Skip, and Spin, Bird is a dockless electric scooter company that offers on-demand rides accessible through a smartphone app. According to its website, Bird shares a mission with cities to “reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions by providing people with a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to cars.” 

To ride, you simply open up the app to find the location of the nearest scooter and electronically unlock it. The fee was originally $1 to unlock each scooter plus 15 cents per minute of riding, but per-minute fares in some cities have doubled. 

Bird is available in over 100 markets worldwide, including cities in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Check out this map to see the full list of cities Bird operates in. 

What is a Bird charger and how does it work?

Bird thrives on “chargers” to keep their scooters functioning and ready to ride. A Bird charger is someone who goes into the city to pick up scooters, charges them at their homes, and releases them back on the streets the next day. 

The process focuses on two major tasks: “harvesting” and “serving.” 

• Harvesting: Harvesting refers to locating scooters on the street, picking them up in your personal vehicle, and charging them at your residence. To harvest, you open up the app and view a map where you can locate scooters in need of charging. Each Bird shows up as a colored icon on the charger’s map, and the color code indicates how much each scooter is worth based on how difficult it is to capture. For example, Birds hidden on private properties are worth more money than those that are easy to spot. Once a Bird is located, a charger will unlock the scooters via the app and a QR code, place them in their vehicle (preferably a larger truck, van, or SUV) and then take them home and charge them. 
• Serving: Serving means releasing the scooters back on the streets after a night of charging. Chargers receive a message in the morning with information on drop-off locations, which are called “Bird Nests.” The Birds have to be placed in the Nests by 7 AM to be ready for morning riders, but users report that they still received a full-payout after a late release. 

How much can chargers make? 

The amount of money you can make depends on how many scooters you collect and charge each night. It also depends on what kind of scooters you collect, as they are indicated in three colors - green, yellow, and red. Red scooters are the most difficult to capture, and pay between $20-$25 per scooter. Yellow scooters pay out $7-$14, and are a tad easier to find, but still tricky to capture. Green birds, paying less than $5 each, are the simplest to find, and are hiding in plain sight. Of course, capturing green Birds has the most competition, so you have to move fast!

While there have been that chargers can make $20-$30 per hour, some chargers have reported that they have barely been making minimum wage since pay cuts occurred last year. Chargers say that the majority of Birds they harvest are in the $3 range, therefore lowering their hourly pay, and that harvesting a $20 bounty is rare. 

Since Bird has effectively decreased its bounty payments, having a strategy is even more key to make money as a charger. Mapping out your plan of attack before harvesting your first Bird can be essential for a successful haul. With satellite view on the map, you can get a quick overview of where clusters of Birds are located so you can pick up several at one time to increase your efficiency. You’ll also need to be aware of the competition in your area and move swiftly as possible, and plan your Nest locations each morning so you can release as quickly as you can. 

What is a Bird fleet manager?

Fleet managers have a more hands-on role than chargers. They typically take care of scooters in bulk, instead of a handful at a time - think 50+ instead of 5-10. In addition to sanitizing and repairing the scooters, fleet managers are responsible for transporting larger quantities of Bird scooters to and from deployment areas. Bird describes it as "running your own business", rather than a "gig".

How much can Bird fleet managers make?

With greater responsibility comes greater pay. Bird guarantees that fleet managers will make roughly $1,500 a week, but they do note that it varies from area to area. Fleet managers have opportunities to increase their income by growing their fleet and getting more rides. In 2021, US Bird fleet managers made an average of $70,000 in annual income. Not too shabby!

Signing up as a Bird charger

Becoming a Bird charger is pretty simple. There are a few guidelines to follow before signing up:

You must:

•      Be 18 years old
•      Have a vehicle (preferably a larger one)
•      Have a valid driver’s license
•      Have a helmet for scooter driving
•      Have a smartphone to use the app

If you fit the guidelines, the first step is to sign up on their website or to tap on the “Become a Charger” icon in the app. The sign-up form will ask for basic personal information such as your name, contact details, and banking and tax information so you can get paid. You can get paid daily and get deposits directly into your account. 

Since charging is a popular side gig for many, it may take awhile for you to hear back from Bird. Once you do, you will receive a phone call where you’ll get briefed on the details of Bird charging and you’ll answer a few questions pertaining to the gig. Lastly, once you get approved, you’ll receive access to Charger Mode on the app and Bird will send you 3 chargers by mail. You will have the opportunity to order more chargers later.

Signing up as a Bird fleet manager

The requirements for becoming a Bird fleet manager are similar to being a Bird charger, with a few key differences.

On top of being over 18 years old with a valid driver's license, you'll need:

• A larger vehicle to transport scooters
• A large enough space to store large quantities of Bird scooters
• Ability to commit at least 40 hours a week to running your fleet management business
• A solid understanding of finances (tracking payouts and managing vehicle expenses)

And, as always, you'll need a working cell phone.

Applying to be a fleet manager also requires basic information like your name and banking details, just like applying to be a charger. If you're approved, Bird will get in touch with you to get a contract signed.

Support

Bird offers support for chargers via their in-app HELP feature. When submitting a ticket, include all relevant information regarding the issue such as payout amount, actions taken, screenshots, pictures, Bird ID’s, and a detailed description. A team member will assess the issue and get back to you.  

Lime chargers vs Bird chargers

Both Lime and Bird have similar payment models for their chargers, where they pay you a base rate of $3 to $5 for charging and dropping off each scooter.

The pay per scooter varies based on when the scooter becomes available for a charge and how long its been since its last charge. Bird has a range of $3 to $20 per scooter, while Lime usually starts out with a base rate of $5 per scooter, with little fluctuation in payment from there.

An upside of charging for Bird is that they’ll pay you a reduced rate if you release a scooter that isn’t at 100% charge, while Lime withholds payment for not meeting charge standards, and even revoking your juicer status at times. Lime also has stricter rules on releasing scooters by 7 AM, while Bird is more lenient and still pays for late releases.

When choosing whether to charge for Bird or Lime, it really comes down to convenience for you and figuring out which “hubs” you’re closest too. If Lime hubs or Bird hubs are inconvenient spots for you, you’ll make less money with either one. Depending on the popularity of either company in your city, this is a huge consideration to factor in. 

Hoarding

Yes, scooter charging seems like somewhat of an easy after-hours gig where you can pretty much make money while you sleep. However, the job is harder than it sounds and requires chargers to have self-awareness and take safety precautions. 

Some chargers report that a scooter’s location on the app isn’t always accurate, which leads them off track and wasting time. Frightening situations of people hoarding scooters in an attempt to defraud the companies has occurred. There have also been situations of criminals using scooters to lure chargers into unsafe areas at night and rob them (or worse). 

Since this job takes place mostly at night, there are intense safety concerns to consider before working as a charger. It’s extremely important that you stay hyper-aware of your surroundings and use common sense before capturing scooters in unsafe places. 

Wrap Up

Charging for Bird could be an easy after-hours gig for someone who spends their days driving and wants to pick up some scooters to charge on their way home. While the idea of charging is pretty simple, having a strategy is definitely important when planning your scooter pickups for maximum payout. It’s essential to figure where the scooter “hubs” are so you don’t waste time tracking them down each night. 

Chargers should be prepared to work late at night and early in the morning, and be equipped with a somewhat large vehicle to haul scooters around. Being cautious and staying vigilant is important to keep yourself safe while capturing.

On the other hand, managing fleets for Bird is more likely to bring in consistent, higher paying wages; however, it's more work and not for the faint of heart. But, if you're already diligent and organized with your gig driving, you'll be well equipped to crush it as a Bird Fleet Manager.

Do you have any tips for being a Bird Charger or Fleet Manager? Let us know in the comments.