What you keep is the payment minus your direct costs, divided by all the hours it took, including prep, screening and travel. Run your top two options through that, before taxes, and choose the one that pays you best for your time.
On this page
Three questions to ask
Two options can show the same pay and leave you with very different money. The difference hides around the work.
| Question | Count all of this |
|---|---|
| How much time will it take? | Applying, screening, travel and finding the work, not just doing it |
| What will it cost? | Platform fees, supplies, transport and any required purchases |
| When could you receive payment? | Cash out minimums, approval steps and the payment schedule |
Compare two options
Effective hourly = (payment minus direct costs) divided by total hours. Before taxes.
Example: ($30 payment minus $6 costs) divided by 2 hours = $12 an hour, before taxes.
Reading the result
The higher hourly rate usually wins. But if you need cash by a certain date, the payment timing can matter more.
Count all the time. If an app took 20 minutes to set up and an hour to finish, that's 1.33 hours, not one. A gig's drive home counts too.
And the result is before taxes. Money you earn on the side is taxable income, so set a bit aside.
Choose the option that pays you best for your time.
Tap "Choose this option" on your winner. Day 6 and Day 7 will pick it up.
Take one real step on Day 6 →