Delivery services have become a popular convenience in the modern age. Rather than needing to go out and purchase items, you can order online and have them delivered right to your door, eliminating the time and effort it takes to shop and checkout.
This ease is a significant reason why many people choose to use these services on a regular basis. If you’re looking for a new side hustle, this popular convenience is an excellent way to make some extra money. Just be sure you are prepared before hitting the road.
You’ll want to ensure you have things like proper car insurance since you’re using your car as your primary transportation. While there’s no specific Instacart car insurance, you will still want to speak to your agent about the coverage you need to protect you on your many drives.
Once you’re adequately insured, it will be time to start picking up orders. Here are some great benefits of working at Instacart as a side hustle.
Instacart Offers Delivery Services Across the Country
Before knowing the benefits of working for Instacart, it’s essential to understand what working for them entails. If you’re unfamiliar with their name and mission, it’s a relatively straightforward process to understand.
Many households in the U.S. go grocery shopping frequently. However, the process of driving to the store, shopping, and checking out can be a time-consuming task.
That’s where Instacart comes in to help people with their shopping needs. Rather than having to drive to the store, customers can choose the items they want online, and the order will be sent to an Instacart shopper.
Choosing a Full-Service Shopper Role
Instacart offers two different types of job opportunities — in-store shoppers and full-service shoppers, but their jobs are somewhat different. For these benefits, the role of the full-service shopper will be the main focus.
As a full-service shopper, you complete more tasks and receive more benefits. When an order is placed, the shopper will drive to the customer’s chosen store, pick up their items, and deliver them to their door.
After completing the order, you will receive payment and possibly a tip from the customer. Although a tip is not guaranteed, many customers may tip their shoppers for their time.
Job Requirements Before Starting
Before jumping into your new side hustle, it’s vital to ensure you meet the requirements for the position. To be a full-service shopper, Instacart has a handful of conditions.
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must be eligible to work in the United States or Canada.
- You must be able to lift at least 30 pounds.
- You must have a registered, working vehicle.
- You must have insurance on your vehicle.
- You must have a smartphone.
- You must follow food safety guidelines implemented by Instacart.
Signing up and getting started is quick and easy if you meet the required criteria. In fact, many people can begin working within a week or less of applying for Instacart.
Instacart Offers Flexibility in Your Schedule
If you’re taking on a side hustle, there’s a good chance flexibility is essential. Having a second source of income likely means you already have a main source. So, you don’t want your side hustle to take away from your regular job.
With Instacart, your work hours can be as flexible as you like them to be. You can work in the morning, evenings, or even on weekends if that’s easiest for you. If you work a regular job during the day, it’s easy to log onto your Instacart profile after work and begin taking orders whenever you’re ready.
As long as orders are available, you can pick and choose what days and times you prefer to work, making this side hustle easy to work around your main job’s schedule.
Your Hours are What You Make Them With Instacart
Many part-time jobs come with a specific requirement of hours. While the certainty of knowing how many hours you will work each week can be reassuring, not all weeks may work out the same as others.
There may be some weeks where you need more hours than others or weeks where you have extra work at your primary job and need to work fewer hours. If you are a full-service shopper for Instacart, your hours are entirely up to you.
Unlike many other part-time jobs, you don’t need a scheduled shift to work for Instacart. This flexibility allows you to feel less stressed if one day is busier than you planned and you become unable to work. Since you don’t have a set schedule, you don’t have to worry about working that day.
There is no minimum or maximum requirement of hours to be a full-service Instacart shopper, so you can work as much or as little as you need. You also don’t need to worry about calling in sick or taking time off if something should happen; simply don’t sign in for a shopping shift during that time.
The Sky’s The Limit for Your Instacart Profits
Being a full-service shopper, you are technically considered a freelancer or independent contractor. You will not have an hourly wage or salary but get paid for each job you complete.
If you’re hoping to make a lot of money from your side hustle, this type of work is perfect as it doesn’t limit how much you can make. You can take as many orders per day as you see fit, meaning you could make enormous profits each day you choose to work.
Your efficiency can also ensure your profits stay high while working for Instacart. If you are quick and accurate during your shopping trips, you can make a significant profit in a short amount of time. The faster you complete orders, the more money you can make.
Choosing Instacart for Your Side Hustle
Many people are looking for small jobs to make a little extra money. While plenty of options are available, Instacart is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a beneficial side hustle.
Being a full-service shopper means you will see many advantages, such as flexible work schedules and limitless profit. You can choose your own hours and work when you want with Instacart. On top of the flexibility, you can make as much money and increase your revenue as you decide by completing orders.
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why Instacart is a great side hustle.
Alexandra Arcand writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. She is a finance expert who enjoys sharing tips and tricks for others to make some extra money.
