Flexible work pays more per hour of effort than most apps, but it asks more up front. Pick a route that fits where and when you can work, check the schedule, pay terms, travel and costs, and shortlist two options to look into this week.
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Choose a starting route
There are three routes into flexible work. Each one trades something different: travel, set hours or an approval wait. Start with the one that fits where and when you can work.
| Route | Examples to explore | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Local work | Pet care, event help, home organization, errands | Travel time, who books you, how you get paid |
| Remote support | Customer support, inbox management, scheduling, admin | Set hours, equipment, platform cuts |
| App-based gigs | Delivery, shopping, local task platforms | Requirements, background check, vehicle costs |
1. Local work
Pet care, event help, home organization and errands. You find most of it through neighbors, local groups and word of mouth, and you agree the price with each customer.
Check first: how far you'll travel, how you'll get paid, and whether a platform takes a cut.
Explore local options →2. Remote support
Customer support, inbox management, scheduling and admin, from home. No travel, but clients often want you during set hours.
Check first: the hours they need, the tools you'll use, and any freelance site cut.
Explore remote options →3. App-based gigs
Delivery, shopping and local task apps. You pick your hours, but there's a sign-up, usually a background check, and your vehicle costs come out of your pay.
Check first: age and vehicle requirements, the background check, and gas and insurance.
Explore app-based gigs →Gig directory
Filter by where you want to work and the type of work, then tick "Shortlist" on two. No pay figures here unless the provider publishes them.
Pet care
Local work
- What the work involves
- Dog walking, drop-in visits and pet sitting, often booked through apps like Rover.
- Who it suits
- Animal lovers who live near busy pet owners.
- Scheduling
- Mornings, evenings and travel seasons are busiest.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- Getting to each home. Little to no gear.
- Potential costs
- Your travel, and the platform's cut if you use one. See its terms.
- How to start
- Build a profile, set your rates and ask a neighbor or two for a first booking and review.
Event help and home organization
Local work
- What the work involves
- Party setup and cleanup, decluttering a garage or closet, running errands for busy neighbors.
- Who it suits
- People who are organized and like a visible finish line.
- Scheduling
- Weekends and evenings, booked job by job.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- Your own transport and maybe basic supplies.
- Potential costs
- Gas and supplies. You set the price with each customer.
- How to start
- Write a one-line offer on Day 4 and tell neighbors and local groups you do it.
Customer support
Remote support
- What the work involves
- Answering customer emails and chats for a business, from home.
- Who it suits
- Patient people with clear writing.
- Scheduling
- Often set shifts. Some clients want you during their business hours.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- A computer and a reliable internet connection.
- Potential costs
- Freelance sites may take a cut of what you earn. Check their terms.
- How to start
- Search freelance sites for support work and apply to a few small jobs first.
Inbox, scheduling and admin
Remote support
- What the work involves
- Managing someone's inbox and calendar, booking appointments and light admin.
- Who it suits
- Detail people who like tidy systems.
- Scheduling
- Flexible, usually a few set check-ins a day.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- A computer and the tools your client uses.
- Potential costs
- Platform cuts if you find clients on a freelance site.
- How to start
- Offer one small, clear task first, like a weekly inbox cleanup.
DoorDash
App-based gig
- What the work involves
- Picking up food and other orders and delivering them.
- Who it suits
- People with a car, bike or scooter who like to choose their own hours.
- Scheduling
- You create your own schedule.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- 18 or older, a car, bike or scooter, a valid license and insurance, a Social Security number and a background check.
- Potential costs
- Gas, insurance and repairs come out of your pay.
- How to start
- Apply in the app. You can accept orders once you're approved. Pay can be instant, daily or weekly.
Uber Eats
App-based gig
- What the work involves
- Picking up restaurant orders and dropping them at the door.
- Who it suits
- People who want to deliver by car, or by bike or on foot where that's open.
- Scheduling
- Go online when you want.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- A background screening and a Social Security number. Check the Driver app for what is open where you live.
- Potential costs
- Your vehicle costs if you drive. Instant Pay carries a charge.
- How to start
- Sign up and get approved. Pay is a weekly deposit, usually Thursdays, or Instant Pay up to 6 times a day. You keep 100% of tips.
Instacart
App-based gig
- What the work involves
- Shopping for groceries and delivering them.
- Who it suits
- People who know their local stores and don't mind lifting.
- Scheduling
- Check provider.
- Equipment, travel and requirements
- You need to be 18 to 21 or older, depending on your state.
- Potential costs
- Your vehicle costs and time in the store.
- How to start
- Read how the shopper side works, then apply in the shopper app.
Build a shortlist of two.
For each, check the schedule, pay terms, travel and equipment costs. You'll compare them on Day 5.
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