The Ride Pays. The Whole Shift Counts.
The fare on the screen is only part of the story. I want to know what a few hours of driving actually leave me with.
Read the noteWilmington, North Carolina
Make the hours count.
About Me
I’m Hudson. The family gets the first ride.
Fifty-one. Wilmington born and raised. A businessman, entrepreneur, and Uber and Lyft driver fitting paid rides around a very busy family calendar.
Four kids, four schools, sports, and extracurriculars add up to 72 one-way family drives a week—before the fun stuff. I’m figuring out how to make the hours I have count, with honest numbers, useful tools, and a little live music along the way.
More about meWhat I’m Learning
What a shift really pays. Which rides make sense. How AI and a better plan can help me fit the work into real life.
Explore the topicsFrom the journal
Apparently, I’ve been doing Kia sales for free.
Passengers like my Kia, the referral could pay $150, and I’m half joking about business cards—but has anyone actually gotten the check?
Read the note$156 in “lifetime value.” WTF, Lyft?
How many shitty rides is $156 in “lifetime value” supposed to justify? Lyft says I’m missing out on rewards, citing an average of $156 in lifetime perks redeemed by local drivers. The other qualifiers are easy for me. But taking bad rides to keep my acceptance rate up? That badge could cost more than it’s worth.
Read the noteOkay, but what am I actually making an hour?
One early shift paid just $12 an hour. With limited time to drive, I need to know what the whole shift earns—not just the booked hour.
Read the noteOnly 57% Booked—and Some Dayparts Pay Much More per Booked Hour
My Lyft sheet shows just 57% booked time, with evening rides producing a much higher booked hourly rate than morning rides. The free daypart workbook is live, use it as you wish.
Read the note