From Homeschooling Mother to Instacart Professional: My Surprising Journey

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Meet Jaynee Lockwood, a resourceful mother who turned her expertise as a homeschooling mother right into a worthwhile gig with Instacart — after which used what she realized to launch her subsequent profession transfer! On this publish, she explores how she made the leap from residence educator to top-rated Instacart shopper, the methods that helped her stand out, and ideas for anybody trying to maximize earnings with Instacart.

In January 2020, simply earlier than the world shut down, I signed as much as change into an Instacart shopper. It was really my oldest son, Timothy, who inspired me. “Mother, you’d be nice at this,” he mentioned. He wasn’t improper — with 12 youngsters (9 of them boys!), I’ve achieved extra grocery purchasing in my lifetime than most individuals can think about.

On the time, I used to be a homeschooling mother who hadn’t labored a lot exterior the house — although I’d taught piano and cleaned homes right here and there. I signed up not likely understanding what to anticipate. After which COVID hit. Instacart exploded in a single day, and I discovered myself proper in the course of one thing I genuinely loved — and was good at.

What I Beloved About Looking for Instacart

The pliability was unmatched. I may open the app at any time when I wished and take a batch — or not. Some days I did only one order. Different days, I labored 10–12 hours. I sometimes averaged 26–32 energetic hours per week.

It was additionally extraordinarily worthwhile. I used to be grossing between $45–48/hour recurrently — and that’s not together with the additional perks we get in California as a consequence of Prop 22, which ensures $18/hour plus mileage reimbursement (on high of ideas).

The guidelines have been phenomenal. Offering nice service all the time paid off — clients usually elevated their ideas after the order was achieved. Plus, they might go away compliments on the app, which made me really feel appreciated and linked.

The train and motion have been a bonus. I attempted DoorDash too, however discovered it irritating to sit down within the automobile all day. With Instacart, I used to be strolling, shifting, getting my steps in, and staying energetic whereas incomes cash.

It tapped into my pure strengths. I genuinely liked purchasing — from planning the most effective route by the shop to discovering the precise replacements. I even loved the Tetris-like problem of bagging objects fastidiously and effectively.

I additionally liked interacting with retailer employees and clients. Over time, I bought to know workers on the shops I shopped in recurrently, which gave me a way of neighborhood — even whereas working independently.

Realities to Maintain in Thoughts

Whereas Instacart has been an enormous blessing, there are sensible issues to contemplate:

Automotive Put on and Tear: You’ll put a variety of miles in your automobile, so having a dependable, gas-efficient car is essential.
Self-Employment: As a 1099 contractor, you’re answerable for your individual taxes. Be disciplined about setting cash apart.
Mileage Monitoring: That is your greatest tax deduction. Use a pocket book or mileage monitoring app to log every little thing precisely.
Presentation Issues: I invested in a low-cost automobile wash membership and saved my automobile clear. I didn’t wish to ship groceries in a messy automobile — it simply didn’t sit proper with me.
Effectivity Equals Earnings: Realizing retailer layouts and planning your route mentally will increase your velocity, which implies increased earnings per hour.

The place I Am Now

Up to now, I’ve accomplished 3,045 Instacart orders — and each one among them helped in a season when our household wanted it.

These previous few years, I’ve shopped much less continuously as a result of I’ve began working alongside my husband. He was previously the overall supervisor of a SERVPRO in our city, however extra lately, we launched our personal catastrophe restoration enterprise — and it’s been a pleasure constructing one thing collectively.

Now, my days look totally different. 4 of our sons (nonetheless dwelling at residence) work within the enterprise with us, and I’m nonetheless homeschooling — with only a junior and senior left to graduate. It’s a full life, and I’m grateful for it.

The Ongoing Flexibility

The great thing about Instacart is — I can nonetheless store at any time when I need. If I would like extra cash for a visit, to bless a good friend, or to assist cowl a invoice, I can soar on the app anytime. Inside two hours of finishing an order, I can money out my earnings (for a small $0.50 payment), or just anticipate the weekly direct deposit. That sort of flexibility is uncommon — and it’s one thing I nonetheless worth.

Remaining Ideas

Instacart was greater than a facet hustle for me — it was a stepping stone. It crammed a monetary hole after I wanted it, gave me confidence after years of being at residence, and jogged my memory that the abilities I used each day as a mother have been useful in the actual world, too.

Whether or not you’re a stay-at-home mother on the lookout for revenue, a homeschooler needing flexibility, or simply somebody who loves purchasing and serving others — it is perhaps value trying into.

Jaynee Lockwood is spouse to Daniel and mama to 12 (9 sons and three daughters), with ages starting from 28 all the way down to 16. She and her husband stay in Daniel and I stay in Redding, California, the place they personal and run their household enterprise, Rush Aid Restoration Providers. She has been homeschooling for 25 years and has simply two years left together with her youngest boys, who are actually a junior and senior in highschool. She’s additionally a proud Mimi to 2 grandbabies, with one other one on the way in which this fall.