Struggling to Make Ends Meet – How Can I Use My Car to Earn Money?

Seeking Advice

Hi everyone,

I know these are tough times for many of us in Calgary. I've been jobless for five months now, and with the duration of my EI payments uncertain, I'm trying to find a way to make some income. Despite sending countless job applications daily through Indeed, LinkedIn, and other platforms, I still haven't had any luck securing a job. It's been disheartening, and I'm beginning to feel the weight of uncertainty more each day.

I'm fortunate enough to own a functioning car with no payments except for insurance, and I want to make the most of this asset to generate some income. I've tried signing up for DoorDash, UberEats, and Skip, but they seem to be full, and I've been on waiting lists for what feels like forever.

So, I'm reaching out to this community for advice. Are there any job opportunities or ways to make money quickly that I might be able to get into with my car? I'm open to any suggestions, as long as they don't have any significant barriers to entry beyond having a car and a clean driving record.

Thank you all for your time and any advice you can offer. Stay strong Calgary.

in Calgaryby WeddingCrasher91

66%

wulfzbane

Maybe make a Facebook ad (or wherever) offering personal shopping service (like instacart) or driving service to Banff/Drumheller?

I've seen multiple posts in this sub about people looking for those types of services so maybe you can find some people to help out.

DriestBum

Make sure you have the proper insurance in order, or orelse you'll be opening yourself up to a world of legal problems should some unforseen stuff go down.

Boomstyck

Careful doing any sort of pickup in the city without being properly licensed.

amyranthlovely

The amount you're going to pay in insurance for the rideshare/delivery app services isn't going to make you much money in the end. Lots of construction sites are getting busy, it could be worth checking in with some of the labour jobs to see if you can get yourself some hours there while you look for something more stable.

SpecialNeeds963

Lots of demand for labour these days. If you have any construction experience or can at least work on your feet all day, then I would encourage you to look into the trades or general construction work.

DriestBum

Is cash corner still a thing?

mahfan77

Send me a pm, I can use extra drivers

ok-est

Applaud your hustle, but seriously, go to a temp agency, the pay will be so much better.

Accomplished-Can4171

Unfortunately they are at capacity

PoutinePirate

Uber / Lyft around stampede can get you fast cash in a few select shifts.

Boomstyck

The chances of getting licenced in time to work stampede is slim.

Khellx69

Turo? I think it's called. Possibly rent it out.

gail_nicole

Renfrew

Could try picking up free/cheap items on Facebook marketplace & selling them. Or sell things you have on marketplace.

anhedoniandonair

Set yourself as an attendant or companion to bring seniors to medical appointments. You don’t have to do any sort of care. Just pick ‘em up, drive em, sit in the waiting room and take ‘em home.

Ok_Holiday3814

Where does one do that?

canuckerlimey

Skip and uber really don't make much money. Once you pay for maintence and insirence you arnt making much.

Try going to a temp agency. They will have a wide assortment of jobs.

Go to kijiji I guarantee you there are people looking for construction help or landscapers.

Flimsy_Biscotti3473

Kijiji ride share ?? People will pay cash for drives.

TurpitudeSnuggery

Have you applied at all the delivery positions listed on indeed? Looks to be many. I would also hit up every pizza place.

Thoughtful_tamale

In regards to the EI, you can check when it ends by signing into My Service Canada Account, or simply calling the contact centre and asking.

Minus15t

Depending on the size of your vehicle, you could advertise your services on facebook marketplace to take bulky items to recycling/goodwill or moving services.

Rabbit-Hole-Quest

With the added insurance you will have to get to use your car for any services, it’s going to be a challenge making any money with it.

Consider applying for jobs with the city, some of them are temp roles - https://www.calgary.ca/careers.html

softcatches

Mobile car detailing?

TheDoctorPizza

Skip The Uber.

Deep_Restaurant_2858

What’s your education and background? Any Canadian Education? I’m not understanding why so many people are moving to Calgary when there is no prospect of jobs….

WeddingCrasher91

I’m an engineer with international experience in the O&G sector. I’ve been here for a while now, but I guess I didn’t network as much as I should have.

Erectusnow

Check out the recruiting firms. You should be able to get a contract position quicker through them and turn it into a full time gig

Deep_Restaurant_2858

Your story checks out. Canada has serious productivity issues. Some of the reasons for this is we have an enormous amount of immigration and people that come here with degrees like engineering or nursing but they are working in jobs that typically only require a high school education.

OhCharlieH

Onlyfans

DriestBum

I tried selling my hairy belly button lint, but sadly, no takers.

rainy_days_z

Try driving for Lyft

chaseonfire

It's not using your car but you can make good money online training AI. You need to be decent at language skills or they won't hire you on. I used Data Annotation but I'm sure there's others.

Apprehensive_Bug3329

-6

Sell it part by part

he8c6evd8

-2

This smells like DIY Market Research.

No, we are not aware of your new gig economy based app, please tell us more.