How to Make Money Delivering Food in 2024
Delivering food is a great way to make quick cash without much effort. Some companies, like Uber Eats, even offer generous sign-up deals and performance bonuses…that just make it even better! This is the ideal opportunity for anyone with free time looking to start something on the side. If you’re a student not wanting to commit to a traditional full-time job, then this hustle is for you. It will allow you to focus on your studies while still being able to work very flexible hours in your free time. If you have recently moved and are still looking for work, you can use this side hustle to relieve some financial stress while you continue job searching. Again, anyone with a bit of free time can start this side hustle.
Being your own boss and setting your own hours is easily one of the best advantages of food delivery. With the freedom to choose when and where you work, you can easily fit all your deliveries around your life. Whether you prefer to work early mornings, late nights, or weekends, the flexibility is yours to enjoy. This is how you can start a steady stream of income on your own terms.
Of course, the first thing you need to do is decide how you can make this worth it. There are a few simple things you can consider to maximise your earnings. If you already have a car or motorcycle, you’re set. If you have a bicycle or are happy to simply walk, you’re set too. I have drawn up a comparison below that you can scroll through to see how much money you can potentially earn. By comparing each point with your own situation, you can see what will work best for you. If you have a few options, this is your chance to see which one will make you the most money!
Let’s Get Started:
Making Deliveries by Car
If you have your driver’s license and a car you can use, this might be for you. There is a certain sense of freedom that comes with being able to trip around in your own car…imagine being paid to do that?! Making deliveries by car allows you to cover so much more distance than if you use a bicycle or walk. It also allows you to make deliveries faster, ensuring hot food stays hot, cold food stays cold, and the customer is happy enough to give you a 5-star rating (nothing worse than dealing with upset customers!).
If you live in a regional area or a quiet city without too much traffic or congestion, a car will give you the efficiency you need to maximise your deliveries. Which, in turn, will earn you more money.
Using a car is the most time-efficient way to make deliveries. If it weren’t for the added expenses that come with time efficiency, I could easily say this is the best option. This is where I can help you identify all your expenses so you can minimize them.
The first expense is, obviously, gas. While there won’t be much you can do to cut down on gas costs, you are able to claim a portion of it on your taxes. So definitely make sure you keep copies of your gas receipts! Since you will be travelling more frequently, you may have extra maintenance costs and occasional repair costs. Depending on the company you sign up with, you may also need your own insurance.
So, delivering food by car is your best option, if you:
- have your driver’s license and a car
- live regionally or in a quiet city
- value your time and want to maximize your productivity
- are able to cover gas costs and any repair or maintenance costs
Making Deliveries by Motorcycle
If you have your motorcycle license and a bike you can use, this could be you! Nothing beats being in the open air while getting around town on your bike. Here, I will tell you how you can do it and make money at the same time!
Similarly to delivering by car, if you live in a regional area or a quiet city without too much traffic or congestion, a motorcycle will give you the efficiency you need to maximise your deliveries. Which, in turn, will earn you more money.
Using a motorcycle to make deliveries is also very time-efficient. You will be able to cover a lot of distance on your bike, and unlike a car, you will be able to park in smaller spaces, which may save you some time trying to find a parking spot.
One thing to keep in mind is that using a motorcycle can limit the size and weight of a delivery you will be able to carry. You may find yourself investing in a bag or rack and some rope to tie it all down, (if you don’t have that already). You will also need to be mindful that the food stays secure on your bike during the trip.
Same as for delivering by car, you will need to take note of gas expenses, as well as possible maintenance and repair costs. You may also need insurance.
So, delivering food by motorcycle is your best option, if you:
- have your motorcycle license and a bike
- have no issues with securing the food on your bike
- live regionally or in a quiet city
- value your time
- are able to cover gas costs and any repair or maintenance costs
Making Deliveries by Bicycle
Now this is an option if you live in a very busy city with lots of traffic and congestion. Being able to travel off-road along all the narrow parts that all the cars can’t fit through. Most cities even have bicycles you can rent, so owning a bike isn’t a must!
Being out and about on a bicycle gives you a great chance to get in some exercise. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of not being as time-efficient as a car or motorcycle is. However, if you live in a city that is too busy to get around by car, delivering by bicycle could still be worth it in the end!
Since you aren’t using a motorised vehicle, there will be no gas costs! You will only have to consider maintenance costs (replacing flat tires, etc.) and possible repair costs.
With the rise of e-bikes, though, you could maximize your time-efficiency while avoiding gas prices at the same time! You will, however, still need to factor in the cost of charging your bike.
This is your best option if you:
- don’t have a car or motorcycle, but do have a bicycle!
- have no issues with securing the food on your bike
- live in a very busy and heavily-congested city
- are up for getting some extra exercise
Making Deliveries by Foot
As much as this one might sound wildy-inefficent, it really just depends on where you live! If you’re located in a very busy and congested city, walking might actually be the quickest way to get around.
To make it worth your effort, you could even jump on the subway so you can make deliveries further away. You might need to keep an eye on ticket fees, but that’s the only expense you’ll have. You will also need to be sure the subway is running regularly and is on-time.
This one comes with no added expenses (like gas or tires, because you don’t need either!), although you will have to make sure your deliveries are within walking distance! You will also have to make sure your deliveries are on time, but that goes without saying.
If you take up this option, you’ll get in all those extra steps. It will be a great chance to get in some exercise and… get paid to do it! If you’re looking to get in more exercise and you want to earn more, hey, this one is all yours.
This is your best option if you:
- don’t have a vehicle you can use
- live in a very busy and heavily-congested city
- are up for getting some extra exercise and steps!
Let’s Wrap it All Up:
So now that you’ve seen all the different options, let me help you decide on the best option for you! I’ve made up a quiz that goes over the main factors that go into deciding this. Once you’ve gone through it, you should have a much clearer idea of what will suit you best.
(Insert this as a quiz)
- How would you decide the area you will be working in? city, regional
- How busy and/or congested is it in the area? Very busy and heavily congested, Very busy but not super congested, Quiet
- Do you have any of the following licenses? car or motorbike
Of course, while the results from the quiz are a good indicator of what matches your situation, it’s always a good idea to combine this with your own research. If you’re still not sure how you want to make your deliveries, I would strongly advise you to ask around! See if there are other people in your area doing the same thing and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with politely asking them about how they got started. If a family member or friend does food deliveries, even better! In this way, you can even learn from other’s mistakes as well.
Helpful Tips!
Before you scroll on, here are a few extra things for you to consider.
#1 Download the customer side of the app too and see which restaurants are open and have free delivery. They’re usually more likely to be busy and generate the most tips.
#2 Keep all your receipts! Whether it’s for vehicle repairs, maintenance, gas, keep it!
#3 If you choose to deliver by motorcycle, bicycle or by foot, consider investing in a raincoat (if the food delivery company doesn’t already provide one).
#4 On your way to the mall? Make deliveries close to there… Whenever you go into town, pick up a delivery. Make deliveries when it’s convenient to you!
#5 Know the area! Learn all the shortcuts so you know the quickest ways around, and make sure you know where construction sites are so you can avoid getting caught in traffic.
#6 Work during rush hour! Aim to be working during the busiest hours of the day/night ie. lunch time, dinner time.
#7 Always be polite and friendly to customers. A little kindness goes a long way, and it could be the difference between getting a tip and getting a bad rating!
#8 Always double-check the delivery address! This sounds simple but you may risk losing your entire gig with a company if you deliver food to the wrong address.
NOTES:
my sister was doing it and as a result of that referral bonus, I earned $100 after doing 20 deliveries, and she had $100 src: link #2
may need a driver’s license or motorcycle license and insurance
flexible side job, work for yourself
Before getting started, you should look into the hourly rate offered by food delivery service. You will then need to factor in expenses such as fuel, vehicle maintainenance and all other relevant expenses. It’s important you do this to ensure you will be earning a decent amount. If you choose to deliver by foot or bicycle then this won’t be an issue for you. You will just have to ensure you’re in an area you will be able to get around quick enough via your mode of transport.
https://www.gogetterboss.com/post/best-food-delivery-side-hustle#google_vignette
https://www.nestegg.com.au/earn-money/side-hustle/delivery-app-jobs-to-make-extra-money
https://www.careeraddict.com/delivery-side-hustles
tip? download the customer side of teh app too and see which resturants are open and have free delivery. They’re more liekly to be busy and gerenate the most tips.
Keep all your receipts for vehicle repairs, maintenance, gas etc.
If you choose to deliver by motorcycle, bicycle or by foot, consider investing in a raincoat (if the food delivery company doesn’t already provide one).
on your way to the mall? make deliveries close to there… whenever you go into town, pickup a delivery. Make deliveries when it’s convenient to you!
NOTE TO SELF:
- replace fuel with gas!!!
- replace all those annoying s’s with z’s!!
- Make sure license is spelt license!
- Replace motorbike with motorcycle!
- replace teh with the!
- replace tyre with tire
- MAKE a graphic that compares each vehicle, like a pokemon card. It can have a pic of a car, etc then below that have all the pros and cons displayed by hoizontal green or red lines.