DebtFREE-Revolution

I get asked how much money I make delivering pizzas on the weekends as a part-time job all the time.  The gang in the MyTotalMoneyMakeover chat room are always curious, and the question pops up on the forums from time to time also.  I’ve also seen that question show up in the search queries here on the site…so let me take a few paragraphs on this.

First let me preface by saying I started delivering pizzas at the end of April, and have been doing over the slow season of summer.  Another caveat is that your results will depend on which company you work for, and where your delivery area is.  I deliver for Domino’s, and our delivery area is HUGE and covers everything from Section 8 housing to $300K houses in gated subdivisions.

Now, all that being said…I worked Friday night, Saturday night, and last night delivering pizzas this past weekend.  Domino’s currently pays $1.25 per delivery as gas/mileage offset, which is dependant on current gas prices (which is why I recommend having a car that gets at least 25 mpg).  Tips tend to be better at the beginning of the month, since between the local college and the army post we have a  lot of people in this town drawing government checks in some form or another.  This weekend was a bit off, being the end of the month.  Now, between tips and mileage/gas offset I brought home $40 per night, which does not include my hourly wage (at minimum wage of $5.85 an hour).

My all-time best night was last month on a Friday night, when I took home $85 in tips and mileage…and that was in the middle of summer :)  Talking to the other drivers at the store, I have heard stories of nights where they earned over $100 in tips and mileage!  Usually, the weather does play a part in how much a driver can earn.  Rain or snow tends to increase both tips and volume of orders.

Right now, business is slow because of the heat, the clear skies, and of course the whole back-to-school idea; but right now is also the perfect time to get that pizza delivery job!  Drivers who have never worked a summer in pizza are quitting right and left, several at my store are on vacation, and our manager is looking for midweek help for when those of us in college start school next month.  Earnings aren’t stellar right now, but it is an excellent time to get a foot in the door and learn the delivery area while the pace is slower.

“Pizza Delivery Expert.”  At least that is what my nametag says LOL.  That’s also what it says under the company name on the sign.  So I have been asked by several people if I actually make money delivering pizzas at night with gas prices being like they are.

 I am happy to report that yes, you CAN make decent money delivering pizzas at night as a part-time supplemental income!  Here are a few things that you need to look at and get before you start though:

• A small car that gets at least 25 miles per gallon!  I personally scoot around town in a 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 that gets over 30 mpg in the city, plus even carrying full coverage auto insurance on it doesn’t cost me much.  Be sure this is a car that you won’t get upset when one of the customers opens the door into your side panel, or if it gets scraped up on the road.  I already have a blue stripe above my gas tank on my silver car from someone who misjudged the distance while pulling out from picking up pizzas.
• A cell phone is a MUST!  Sometimes the address will be wrong on your ticket, or sometimes the street sign has been hit or stolen, or sometimes people have tiny half-inch numbers on their house that cannot be read from the street.  Sometimes a road is too new to be on the map at the store, or sometimes the map is just wrong.  Sometimes, I call ahead to ask the customer the quickest way there.  I simply cannot even think of trying to work a shift without a cellphone!
• A 3- or 4-cell Mag-Lite  flashlight not only to find the house numbers in the dark, but to see what money the customer is giving (did you know how much a $50 bill looks like a $20 in the dark?).  It can also serve as a deterrent to anyone who might have ideas of hassling or trying to rob you.

That’s really all you need to get started delivering pizzas and making a little extra cash to do the debt reduction ideas you’ll see here.