As a homeschooling mom, I met Jaynee Lockwood, a witty mother who turned her skills into a profitable gig with Instacart and used what she learned to start her next career move! In this post, we explore how she made the leap from home educator to top-rate Instacart shoppers, strategies that will help her stand out, and tips for those looking to maximize Instacart revenue.
In January 2020, just before the world was closed, I signed up to become an Instacart shopper. In fact, it was my eldest son, Timothy, who encouraged me. “Mom, you’re going to be great at this,” he said. He wasn’t wrong – I had 12 children (9 of them!), and I did more grocery shopping throughout my life than most people could imagine.
At the time, I was a homeschooling mom who didn’t work much outside of the house, but I taught her piano and cleaned her house everywhere. I signed up really didn’t know what to expect. And then Covid Hit. Instacart exploded overnight and I realized I was in the middle of what I really enjoyed.
What I like about Instacart shopping
Flexibility was unparalleled. I was able to open the app anytime and took a batch. One day I placed only one order. On other days I worked 10-12 hours. I usually averaged 26-32 active hours per week.
It was also very beneficial. I regularly made sales between $45-48. This does not include any additional perks you get in California for Prop 22.
The hints were incredible. Offering excellent service has always been rewarded. Customers often added hints after their orders were completed. Plus, they could leave a compliment on the app, which made me feel grateful and connected.
The exercise and movement were bonuses. I also tried Doordash, but sitting in the car all day was frustrating. At Instacart, I was walking, moving, taking steps, making money and continuing to work.
It took advantage of my natural strengths. I really loved shopping – from planning the best route through the store to finding the right alternative. I enjoyed the Tetris-like challenge of carefully and efficiently bagging items.
He also loved interacting with store staff and customers. Over time, I became acquainted with staff at a store where I shopped regularly.
Reality to keep in mind
Instacart was a great blessing, but there are some practical things to consider.
- Car wear and tears:It’s important to have a reliable, gas-efficient vehicle as it places a lot of miles on your car.
- self-employed:As a 1099 contractor, you will be responsible for your own taxes. Discipline about putting money aside.
- Mileage tracking:This is your biggest tax credit. Record everything accurately using your notebook or mileage tracking app.
- Presentation problems:I invested in low-cost car wash members and kept my car clean. I didn’t want to deliver groceries in a nasty car – it just wasn’t sitting with me.
- Efficiency equals revenue:Knowing the layout of the store and planning your route will help you mentally improve your speed. This means that your revenue per hour increases.
Where am I now
To date, I have completed 3,045 Instacart orders. And all of them helped in the season when our family needed it.
I’ve started working with my husband over the past few years, so I shopped too often. He was previously the general manager of our town’s Serv Pro, but recently launched his own disaster recovery business.
My days look different now. Four of our sons (still live at home) work in business with us, but I’m still homeschooling. It’s a complete life and I’m grateful for it.
Continuous flexibility
The beauty of Instacart is that you can shop anytime. If you need extra money for your trip, you can always jump on the app to congratulate your friends or help cover your bills. Within two hours of completing your order, you can cash out your revenue (at a small $0.50 fee) and simply wait for a weekly direct deposit. Such flexibility is rare. That’s something I still cherish.
Final Thoughts
Instacart was more than a side hustle for me. It was a stepping stone. It met the financial gap when I needed it, gave me confidence after years of staying home, and reminded me that the skills I used daily as a mom are also valuable in the real world.
Whether you’re a home mom looking for an income, a homeschooler who needs flexibility, or someone who loves shopping and serving others, it may be worth looking into.
Janey Lockwood is 12 (9 sons and three daughters) from Daniel and Mama’s wife, and is between 28 and 16 years old. She and her husband live in Daniel and I live in Reading, California. She has been homeschooling for 25 years and currently only has two years left with the youngest boy in high school middle and advanced. She is also proud of her two grandchildren..
Related links:
- Seven Jobs You may not consider
- Become an Amazon influencer and earn $500 a month!
- 5 unique ways to clean your home
- 12 ways moms can make money from home
- Free Money Making Cheat Sheet: 12 Apps that easily earn $1000 or more from your mobile phone every year!
- Ideas for making money from home
- Over 25 Easy Ways to Make Money This Week
After years of working at home, have you returned to the workforce? I’d love to hear what you say in the comments!
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
