Easter Holidays
I had two weeks off during the Easter holidays, so I decided to treat it like a full-time job—because who doesn’t love a good challenge, right? I stuck to a routine, being in town and ready to go by 08:30, with a break after the lunchtime rush around 14:00. Usually, I’d head home to charge my gear, check on the dog , and then head back out around 16:00. Between 16:00 and 18:00, it was steady, but definitely quieter than the mad rushes at mealtime. During this time, I’d accept almost every order unless it was taking me way out of town. Over the course of these two weeks, I developed a system for deciding which orders to accept. Here’s how I broke it down:
Orders that take 15 minutes to complete. These usually pay between £3 and £5, but let’s be honest, it’s usually closer to £3. Still, I always take these because they’re quick, and I can churn through a lot of them in a day and in a lot less than 15min, like a delivery robot on a mission.
Orders that take me to areas with busy pickup points. McDonald’s on the outskirts of town, for example. If I get an order in that direction, it’s usually worth it because I’ll often pick up another order on the way back into town. It’s like a freebie, and I’m all about the freebies.
During these two weeks, I set weekly earning targets and figured out how to reach them. Some days, I ventured to other towns or the nearest city to boost my income. Bigger places have predictable peak times, so I could plan my shifts around those. But honestly, I prefer working in my hometown. I know the customers, their routines, and the area so well that it’s like delivering in my own living room.
Now, those two weeks really tested my fitness. I was cycling more than 60 miles a day, which didn’t hit me until the two weeks were over. That’s when I realised my legs had gone from slightly sore to please send help. To manage this, I bought cycling shorts with gel padding for my bum and crotch which is basically, a lifesaver. I also adjusted my wardrobe to be more adaptable to England’s ever-changing weather. This meant I didn’t need to lug around coats or jumpers in my bag.
Surprisingly, there were no major issues. No flat tyres, no accidents, no disasters. However, some days were quieter than a mouse tiptoeing on egg shells, and it felt like a total waste of time. Occasionally, the Uber app would need updating, and I wouldn’t find out until I’d gone offline, which was a bit of a pain in the neck. Let’s not forget the joys of receiving orders that didn’t mention multiple pickups. These can be a bit dodgy, especially when they don’t pay as much as separate orders, and sometimes they involve more work than I signed up for.
I also learned to be careful with orders from superstores. Some items are heavier than a bag of bricks. I once got an order from Sainsbury’s listed as just 7 items, taking 30 minutes for £8. Fine, right? Until I realised it included: 1 bag of cat litter (basically a rock), 1 multipack of tinned cat food (could have fed an army), 2 bags of dog food (heavy enough to have its own postcode), 1 four pack of 2L lemonade (perfect for a summer barbecue), 1 block of cheese, and a bottle of wine, plus the order had to go uphill. By the time I got there, my legs felt like they were about to stage a revolt.
Overall, it was a cracking experience, and I had a lot of fun. Working for Uber as a side hustle has its perks. The flexibility to work when I want and take a break when I need to is a game-changer. And the fact I can withdraw my earnings whenever I like makes managing my finances feel like a breeze, especially after lugging heavy shopping up a hill all day.
