Chapter 1: Finding Flexibility in Gig Work

Navigating the job market can be particularly tough for single parents, especially as opportunities have dwindled in recent years. Many of us are left balancing the demands of full-time parenting with the need for income. Options like remote work or childcare can be costly and impractical, leaving us wondering how to make it all work.

Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, I have been homeschooling my children through a local charter school. While they have virtual classes and online assignments, I'm primarily responsible for their education. The thought of adding a job to my already full schedule seemed overwhelming—until I found GrubHub.

I haven’t had much time to write recently, as I’ve been busy delivering food around Eugene, a lively college town where students frequently use GrubHub. This gig provides me with endless opportunities to work whenever I choose.

In our relatively safe neighborhood, I even bring my kids along on deliveries. With only a few minutes in the car for pickups and drop-offs, we make it work. I’ve set a personal limit to work only during daylight hours, and together we create our own little GrubHub team for a couple of hours each day. When the kids are with their dad, I can maximize my earnings, often making more in a single day than I used to in an entire month of writing.

This shift is truly transformative.

For much of their lives, we’ve lived paycheck to paycheck. Despite qualifying for subsidies, our lifestyle has been frugal, leaving little room for luxuries—like ordering GrubHub myself. But with the chance to earn money whenever I want, that could soon change.

I finally feel as though there’s hope on the horizon. GrubHub offers me a way to break free from an income level I never wanted to accept. It allows me to earn on my own terms, which is nothing short of revolutionary.

Who would have guessed that a seemingly simple job like food delivery could enhance my quality of life so drastically?

I've previously worked in pizza delivery and for Instacart. While I enjoyed delivering pizzas, it required a fixed schedule and often solitary work. My experience with Instacart, filled with its own challenges, also left much to be desired. However, GrubHub stands out as the easiest and most enjoyable gig I’ve ever tried.

Section 1.1: The Flexibility of Gig Work

GrubHub, like many gig jobs, offers incredible scheduling flexibility. I can choose when to work and when to take a break, without needing to commit to set shifts. Thankfully, our area hasn’t become oversaturated with drivers, so I can always find work.

Once I mark myself as available, delivery offers come rolling in. This allows me to log off for appointments, lunch breaks, or social outings whenever I need. I’ve managed to maintain a 100% acceptance rate, strategically timing my work around our daily routines.

In recent weeks, I’ve accomplished what I once thought impossible: I can homeschool my kids, take walks, and socialize—all while delivering food.

I can even manage bathroom breaks at restaurants, ensuring I keep my momentum. Today, I’m able to write, something that brings me immense joy.

Section 1.2: The Power of Choice

This flexibility also means I have the freedom to choose how and when I earn. As I gain experience, I'm learning to decline offers that don't compensate fairly for my time and effort.

GrubHub empowers drivers to decide their delivery preferences. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Chapter 2: The GrubHub Advantage

The first video highlights whether gig work can be more beneficial than a traditional job. It explores the advantages of flexibility and self-determination that gig jobs provide.

The second video demonstrates how drivers maximize their earnings by multi-apping across platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart.

GrubHub's app is the best I’ve encountered. It's quick, glitch-free, and facilitates direct communication with customers. I can inquire about delays without facing penalties, a significant improvement over my previous experiences with other apps.

Customers can provide specific instructions, allowing for a personal touch in our contactless deliveries. I enjoy adding a friendly message like, “Thank you, have a great day!” which often receives a warm response.

GrubHub also allows for daily cash-outs for a nominal fee and free direct deposits every Monday. Initially, I cashed out daily, but now I find it easier to relax as I manage my bills more effectively.

Section 2.1: Fair Compensation

GrubHub offers some of the best pay in the gig economy. My tips often surpass my base pay, and I’m compensated for mileage and delivery fees. My earnings can range from $5 to $20 per order, and I can strategically choose which deliveries to accept, maximizing my income.

After the recent cessation of the child tax credit, I found myself needing to hustle for my car payment. Thanks to GrubHub, I achieved my goal within a week. I can now afford groceries without relying on credit cards, and I’m able to pay my bills punctually.

Despite the income limitations imposed by subsidies, I can work just enough to alleviate financial strain. Although I could choose to make this my full-time gig and surpass the income threshold, I remain focused on maintaining balance for my family.

I’ve encountered many GrubHub drivers from diverse backgrounds, all united by the common goal of improving our lives. Their stories of success inspire me, and I feel a sense of camaraderie among us.

Section 2.2: A Bright Future Ahead

My long-term vision is optimistic. By continuing to work with GrubHub while my children attend in-person school, I can build a sustainable income and still find time to write in the evenings.

Ultimately, I aspire to be a financially secure full-time author, and I will forever be grateful to GrubHub for providing me with this opportunity—a chance to change my circumstances for the better.

Who would have imagined that a short-term gig could have such a profound impact on my life? It seems that pursuing my passions and responsibilities can coexist after all, and I’m excited to embrace this journey.

Related reads:

• The Best Way To Work From Home When You’re a Single Neurodiverse Parent
• When You’re a Single Parent Trying To Juggle Too Many Kittens
• When You’re Poor, You Lose the Power To Choose

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