How You Can Make Extra Money While Running Errands

Many of us run errands, commute to work, shuttle kids to activities or otherwise drive around every day. But now, there is a way to turn doing those tasks into more money by picking up and dropping off packages for people along the way.

A growing class of package-delivery services makes this possible — in a system similar to that of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

How it works

One of the newer package-delivery services is called Roadie. Packages delivered through Roadie don’t have to be boxed up as they would if sent via FedEx, UPS or the U.S. Postal Service. Basically, if you want a book delivered, you hand the Roadie driver the book.

Senders simply sign up with Roadie and create a Gig — that is, request a delivery.

When creating a Gig, the sender enters details such as the location where the driver should pick up the package. That could be the sender’s home or elsewhere. The sender also identifies the person who will give the Roadie driver the package, which may be the sender or someone else.

The price of a Gig is determined in advance. “So you can browse Gigs by price, location, distance and size to determine which Gigs you want,” Roadie’s website explains.

Once a Gig is posted to the app, Roadie drivers can accept or decline. Then, the sender chooses the Roadie with whom to work.

The app prompts drivers to take a photo of the item both at pickup and the destination, to record the condition of the item as well as confirm arrival at the destination.

Local Gigs usually pay between $8 and $50, with long-distance Gigs paying up to $650. Gigs involving delivery of pets can pay even more.

Delivery services challenging the shipping industry

Roadie isn’t the only service that recruits drivers in a challenge to traditional package carriers. If you’re interested in earning a little extra cash through package delivery, check out these options, too:

• Instacart: Those who want someone to do their grocery shopping and then have the items delivered can call on Instacart. To learn more about this type of service, check out “How to Make Extra Money Delivering Groceries.”
• Amazon Flex: As Amazon expands its same-day delivery service, Prime Now, it is looking for drivers — and paying $18 to $25 an hour.
• Postmates: Like Prime Now, this service offers on-demand delivery. Couriers can earn up to $25 an hour, according to Postmates. And you don’t even need a car. Postmates people make deliveries on foot or by scooter, bicycle or other transportation.
• Grabr: Ever regret that you failed to buy something when you were traveling abroad? With Grabr, you can earn some money by helping others in that same quandary — by getting the product and delivering it when you take your next international trip.
• Dolly: This service describes itself as “your moving, delivery, and heavy lifting concierge.” Dolly drivers own pickup trucks, box trucks and cargo vans; are able to lift more than 75 pounds; and are willing to haul loads. These drivers earn $30 an hour or more, according to Dolly’s website. People who don’t own trucks but can lift 75 pounds can earn upward of $15 an hour as helping hands.

How do you drum up extra cash? Would you consider picking up work for Roadie or one of its competitors? Share with us in comments below or on our Facebook page.