First thing is first. Uber driving has been very successful for me. I recommend you sign up to be an Uber Driver.

And on with the story..

I got the app.  I filled in the information. and nothing happened.  I waited and I waited, still nothing. I started searching for a help number.  Nothing.  Finally found it on an Uber blog, Go to your Local Uber Greenlight Hub.

2 weeks later…

Still trying to become a driver

I am on the bus headed to the Uber Greenlight office in Ottawa at 1111 Prince of Wales Dr., Ottawa, ON.  It’s a nice day for a bus ride, I only need one transfer so there won’t be a lot of waiting.  Ottawa transit is in the lower half of North American transit fares for major cities.  That’s good.

When I first “pulled up” to the Uber office I was nervous. The whole Uber idea is creating a lot of anxiety for me. I’m not sure why. I am good with people, I am a good careful driver and I know the city fairly well. I should be OK with this, that’s one of the reasons I picked it.

Post publish edit: Every time I get in the car to drive an overwhelming sense of anxiety sweeps over me – fear that someone I work with will get in my car and I will have to explain why I am driving with Uber.

Benefits of driving with Uber

I make money instead of playing video games.

I get to talk to people about “stuff” which is sometimes interesting and sometimes it’s a nice change in pace from the usual conversations I have at home.

My car is an asset. Instead of rusting away parked on the road at risk of being taken out by the next snowplough, my car is actually generating income.

Some self imposed regulations

If I am going to work “on the side” it must be at a minimum of $20 an hour. If it’s less than $20/hr then I should stay home and sleep or keep up on my day job.

When I Uber drive I check with my wife first. I will not let $20 an hour interfere with my marriage or children.

I will only Uber drive 3 times a week.

Uber driving will never be a priority. Everything else has higher priority.

Uber is a success

Uber has been a very successful endeavour. My car is always full of gas that someone else paid for. I keep it clean. Insurance and maintenance is paid for. I don’t make a lot extra and it is barely helping me expanding on my peer-to-peer lending, however, all of my vehicle expenses are completely covered so I have extra cash flow.