Latest news with #Taskrabbit
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- General
- Buzz Feed
Tool Quiz: Only Real Adults Can Name These Common Tools
There are two types of people in this world: people who own a power drill, and people who have the Taskrabbit app on their phone and use it alllll the time. If you can name even just half the tools in this quiz, you're probably the former. Give it a try!
Business Insider
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A Taskrabbit earning 4-figures monthly shares 4 pro tips to make money on the platform
Michael Mendez has been working as a full-time Taskrabbit for seven years. He's grown from 0 to 1,500 reviews, has a nearly perfect rating, and earns up to $4,000 a month. He advises new taskers to start with lower rates and focus on building positive reviews. Michael Mendez never considered himself a particularly handy person. So, when he signed up for Taskrabbit in 2018, he questioned whether he had the skillset to make a living on a platform that matches freelance "taskers" with people who need help building things. Seven years later, he's completed more than 2,000 tasks and has a nearly perfect rating, plus more than 1,500 reviews. He earns enough money completing two to three tasks per day — he specializes in furniture assembly — to sustain his lifestyle in Oakland, California. "I've been paying rent, I've been paying my taxes, and everything is working out very well," said Mendez, who values the flexibility and freedom that come with setting his own schedule over a high income. If he wanted to boost his income, which ranges between $2,000 and $4,000 a month, he could. "If I just set my hours until 9 p.m., I feel like I'd be able to fill it in, but it's not my preference," the 34-year-old told Business Insider. Whether you're looking for a more flexible full-time gig or want to earn extra money on the side, Taskrabbit is a viable income source. "It's not for everyone," said Mendez. "You have to have it in you to put yourself out there because you're kind of selling yourself. You have to be very presentable and be good with the clients." If that sounds like you and you decide to build a profile, consider these four tips from a pro. 1. Start broad and niche down Consumers can hire Taskrabbits for a variety of home tasks, from moving and heavy lifting to handyman services and cleaning. If you're confident in or enjoy a particular skill, start there. If you're still figuring out what you're good at, consider Mendez's approach: Offer a broad range of services to test the waters. You'll figure out what works and what doesn't — for Mendez, furniture assembly worked, while cleaning did not — and can adjust your profile accordingly, only offering what you excel at. Once he niched down, "I became a lot faster at what I was doing," he said. As he got better at assembling furniture, he was able to charge more, and he grew to love the work. "Especially Ikea work, I started falling in love with it. It's kind of like a meditation for me. It's very calming." 2. Start by offering a lower-than-average rate As a new tasker, you won't yet have reviews or ratings that can set you apart; what can distinguish you is your price, which is up to the individual tasker to set. When Mendez first started, he was still figuring out how long certain tasks took and his general worth on the platform, so he kept his hourly rate below average. "I charged a lot less in the beginning because I didn't know if I had the skillset that people were looking for," he said. As he got better and more efficient, and, as a result, accumulated more positive reviews, he increased his prices. He also learned to adjust his rate depending on the season. In the summer, for example, demand spikes as more people are moving. "You get a lot of work coming in and it's usually necessary to put your price up." The other thing you have control over is your profile. Be specific about the services you offer, include a high-quality photo, and don't limit your clientele by setting parameters such as a two-hour minimum, he said: "That's one thing that could shy a client away from picking me, and I want no reason for a client to not pick me. I just want my profile to be as welcoming as possible." 3. Consistency wins In general, you'll be rewarded if you're consistently completing tasks and have a low cancellation rate. "If you stop working for about a month, it brings your profile down and makes it hard to get recognized," he explained. Consistency isn't a problem for Mendez, who describes himself as a homebody — "I really don't like to be away from my home and my cat" — but if you like to travel, consider the implications. Or, consider traveling with your tools and completing jobs on the road, said Mendez, who spent a year driving across the country, living and working in various cities before he settled down in Oakland. 4. Reviews matter Especially when you're first starting out, explain to your clients how important reviews are. Customers are prompted to leave a rating and a review in the app after a job is completed, but Mendez still takes the time to ask in person: "I say at the end of a job, 'If you're able to leave a rating and review for me it helps me out so much. It's the best tip I can get. It gets me more jobs and keeps me doing what I like to do.'" Don't be discouraged by negative reviews. Mendez still remembers two bad reviews from his early days on the platform — "I thought I was going to have to stop," he said — but he's since learned that you can't please everyone, no matter the quality of your work.
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A millennial earns up to $4,000 a month after quitting his 9-to-5 for Taskrabbit. He sets his own schedule and is less stressed.
A 9-to-5 schedule never sat right with Michael Mendez. "I never stuck with a job for more than two years," he told Business Insider. In 2018, feeling antsy in his supervisor role at Menards, he did a quick online search for flexible jobs that allow you to choose your hours. Google presented him with Taskrabbit, an online marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand. He'd be the freelancer, providing services such as organization, furniture assembly, and heavy lifting. He quit his job and built a profile. "I was living with my parents at the time, and it was easy to manage funds," he said, noting that his advice for someone looking to make a similar career jump is to start Taskrabbit as a side hustle until you've built up enough ratings and reviews to generate consistent bookings. Seven years later, Mendez is still working as a full-time tasker, earning enough to satisfy his minimalist lifestyle in Oakland, California. He says he has a level of job satisfaction and flexibility that would be difficult to ever leave. "Having the freedom, but also having all that responsibility — everything is my business or all on me to get everything done — there's something that's very freeing in that," he said. Mendez, 34, spoke with BI about scaling his business, becoming an elite tasker with a nearly perfect rating and more than 1,500 reviews, and what his typical day looks like. Niching down and scaling up Consumers can hire Taskrabbits for a variety of home tasks, and Mendez initially offered a broad range of services: moving, organizing, furniture assembly, deliveries, and heavy lifting. His very first task was a cleaning gig, though "I don't think that lasted too long," he said. At the time, "I tried to do as many as I could. I wanted to just feel out the app and see what it could offer." As he figured out what tasks best matched his skillset, he kept his hourly rate below average. Without any reviews or ratings, it was the only competitive edge he had at the time. Eventually, he niched down and started offering only the tasks he was exceptionally good at, which happened to be the ones he most enjoyed: general furniture assembly and Ikea assembly. He occasionally does heavy lifting and moving tasks. "I played with Legos a bit as a kid, but I was never completely handy," he said. "But, especially Ikea work, I started falling in love with. It's kind of like a meditation for me. It's very calming." As he became faster and better at assembly, he increased his rates — but only up to a certain point. "I notice there are a lot of people who charge a lot for certain jobs, and I try to never be too much," said Mendez. He adjusts his usual hourly rate of $65-$70 an hour seasonally, charging more in the summer when demand spikes. A typical day in the life: E-biking between jobs and earning $100 a day minimum Mendez starts most of his workdays at 9 a.m. During the week, he finishes between 3 and 4 p.m.; on Saturdays, he wraps early at 2 p.m.; and he takes Sunday off, using that day to reset and do volunteer work. A typical day features two to three jobs that last between one and two hours. In the summer, which is busy season, he'll complete up to four jobs a day: "A lot of people are moving and need a lot of furniture built or rebuilt. I can't tell you how many times people tell me I've saved their marriage or saved their relationship because I'm taking the time to put something together for them." He could accept more gigs if he wanted to, but he prefers a lighter schedule. "I meet a lot of people who work all day," he said. "If I were looking to get a lot of cash flow in, I could just set my hours until 9 p.m., but it's not my preference. I don't like to stress my body out for too long." And he doesn't feel the need to earn more than he already does, which ranges from $2,000 during slower months and $4,000 during busy months, according to earnings screenshots viewed by BI. "My main thing is, as long as I make at least $100 a day, I'm good," he said, adding, "I'm very simple. I definitely practice minimalism. I'm not very into owning a lot of things or spending my money." A chunk of his day is spent commuting between gigs. Up until two and a half years ago, he drove and dealt with daily stressors such as sitting in traffic and looking for parking. Now, he commutes on his e-bike, which saves him time, money, and stress. "I love bikes, I love doing bikepacking trips, and I was like, 'How can I fit this in with my work life?'" said Mendez. "My bike shop has e-bikes, and I found the best one for city riding and for holding my tools." He sold his car, has been relying on his e-bike and the BART train to get around ever since, "and it's been a dream," he said. How to succeed on Taskrabbit Not every personality type is right for Taskrabbit. It's a social job that involves soft skills. "You have to have it in you to put yourself out there because you're kind of selling yourself," said Mendez. "You have to be very presentable and be good with the clients. You learn a lot about people, and how to give them their space." Create a detailed bio that explains your skillset and exactly what tasks you offer to give yourself the best chance of attracting customers. Don't limit your clientele by setting parameters such as a two-hour minimum, he said: "Some people do the two-hour minimum, but that's one thing that could shy a client away from picking me, and I want no reason for a client to not pick me. I just want my profile to be as welcoming as possible." Equally important to building out a welcoming profile is knowing your limit, especially if you're providing tasks like heavy lifting or moving. "Be honest with yourself," he said. "There are a lot of people out there that do that 'fake it 'til you make it' or try to show a confident face until something goes wrong, but I would say be very humble and honest with yourself about what your boundaries are when you do a job because some people could injure themselves." In general, you'll be rewarded if you're consistent and have a low cancellation rate. Mendez, who classifies himself as a homebody, doesn't travel a lot and can consistently accept jobs in Oakland. Keep in mind that your profile could be affected if you don't work for several weeks or months. That said, Taskrabbit exists in many cities. Mendez is planning a bikepacking trip from Oakland to Colorado and considering bringing a screwdriver and hammer so he can continue working on the road. Reviews are key. Customers are prompted to leave a review in the app after a job is completed, but Mendez also likes to ask in person. "I say at the end of a job, 'If you're able to leave a rating and review for me, it helps me out so much. It's the best tip I can get. It gets me more jobs and keeps me doing what I like to do.'" It's a viable side hustle or full-time gig, even if you're not fully confident in your skills. In the beginning, "I had the smallest skillset," he said. "I've been doing it full-time for seven years now, I've been paying rent, I've been paying my taxes, and everything is working out very well."
NBC News
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
19+ Mother's Day gifts that go beyond spa days
Everyone believes that their mom is the best in the world, so as Mother's Day approaches on May 11, it's important to show her exactly how much you care. Along with the dinners, spa days and flower bouquets, picking out the perfect Mother's Day gift is a great way to show your mom how much you appreciate her and her interests. To help you wade through the avalanche of potential gifts, I rounded up some of the best Mother's Day gifts I think you should consider for this year's holiday, including flowers, tech, skin care, home decor and more. The best Mother's Day gift ideas in 2025 Below, I've rounded up the best Mother's Day gift ideas for every kind of mother, including products we've reviewed in the past along with some NBC Select staff favorites. Be sure to check shipping times to confirm that your gift will arrive on-time and avoid showing up to the celebrations empty handed. Gifts under $50 Taskrabbit Gift Card This Mother's Day, one of the best gifts you could give your mom is probably something she very much needs: a break. Taskrabbit is an online service marketplace that lets you choose freelance workers (called 'taskers') for tasks like cleaning, mounting, repairs and more, making it just what your mother may need to help alleviate any pressing to-dos from her plate. NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, whose family has welcomed three new babies in the past year, loves gifting Taskrabbit services to the busy mothers in her life. 'What the mothers in my life have appreciated from me more than anything are money toward more practical experiences, like a cleaning service from Taskrabbit,' she says. She knows that motherhood can be busy, which is why she loves 'being able to help out in that way so they can have a couple of hours to relax.' You can purchase Taskrabbit gift cards in amounts from $25 and up — just be sure to check the app for a service cost estimate before buying. If your mother is a fan of the arts, or just looking for a new hobby to help her relax, this watercolor paint set from Kuretake is sure to be a hit. The colors are Gansai paints, which are traditional Japanese watercolors that are based on colors seen in nature, according to the brand. They have a smooth, slightly shiny finish and are held in pans that are larger than the usual watercolor trays, making them easy to use with small and large brushes. Each set includes 48 beautiful colors, along with a color chart and a sheet that acts as both a protective cover and a palette mixer. Everyone on the NBC Select staff knows that my Lego Botanicals set is one of my favorite purchases from last year — not only is it a fun way to pass time, but you're also left with a pretty piece of decor to display once it's over. This mini orchid kit has five peach-colored blooms, along with buds, leaves, a flowerpot and a stand to make it as lifelike as possible, according to the brand. The set has 274 pieces and includes instructions on how to assemble the flower (along with a link to a digital version in case your mom loses the printed version). Pura 4 Diffuser This diffuser was originally introduced to NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez by her mom, and she loves using it to keep her apartment smelling great, she says. It's a mixture of a classic diffuser and a scent plug-in — your mom can connect it to her phone via the app and control her settings, giving her a customized experience. She can make schedules, change scents, adjust the fragrance's intensity and more. Alvarez also loves that this diffuser helps give her a bit of peace of mind while scenting her home. 'Unlike candles, I don't have to remember to blow it out and I can easily turn it on and off from wherever I am,' she says. For the mothers who love to get sentimental, try going the personalized route with your gift-giving. This photo book from Artifact Uprising has a cutout softcover design with customizable, foil-printed lettering that both come in a range of colors for you to choose from, according to the brand. You can create your book using the layout templates provided, and can also choose from hardcover options and three different sizes, including 5.5 x 5.5 inches, 6 x 8 inches, and 8.5 x 8.5 inches. Naturium Glow All Out Body Bundle Naturium 's Glow Getter line is a favorite among NBC Select staff, including myself. Since I started using the body wash, my skin feels smoother and stays hydrated even when I'm fresh out of the shower and starting to dry off. This bundle includes full sizes of the Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash and the Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter, both of which have hydrating ingredients like squalane, botanical oils and glycerin to help keep your mom's skin moisturized both during and after her bath routine. Gifts under $100 The Sill Subscription The Sill is one of the best places to buy plants online, and any moms who have a green thumb will love the retailer's subscription service as a gift this Mother's Day. For $55 per month, your mom will get a new plant and ceramic planter delivered straight to her doorstep. This particular subscription includes smaller plants that are easy to care for, with the variety changing monthly to avoid duplicates. Each plant is also guaranteed to arrive in good condition — if not, your mom can submit a request for a replacement that'll be shipped to her right away. The mothers in my family are notorious for each having a serious sweet tooth, making a delicious treat a great gift to help feed their candy craze. These gourmet chocolates by Richart come in a double box with two types of chocolate. Your mom will get 16 Petits Richart chocolates, which each hold a different surprise filling inside, along with 16 Ultra-Fines, which are thin, square chocolates that come in an assortment of dark and milk chocolate, according to the brand. The Petits Richart fillings are designed to be adventurous, with flavors like licorice, yuzu, and even curry, making it a yummy and unique tasting experience for your mom. Pandora Moments Heart Bracelet I got my Pandora bracelet almost ten years ago, and it's truly the gift that keeps on giving — for every memory or milestone, my loved ones give me a charm to symbolize it, making my bracelet a portable collection of treasured moments. This bracelet has a snake chain and a heart-shaped clasp that's perfect for showing your mother just how much you love her. It comes in sizes ranging from 6.3 to 9 inches, and a range of finishes including sterling silver, 14k gold, 14k rose gold and mixed metal options. The Bouqs Co. Mom Goals Bouquet Flowers are a classic Mother's Day gift, and this year you can brighten your mom's day with this stunning bouquet from The Bouqs Co. Made from a mix of calla lilies, pink roses, snapdragon, eucalyptus and hypericum berries, the bouquet includes 24 mixed stems and arrives in a recyclable Bouqs gift box. 'I sent my mom a bouquet of flowers from Bouqs and she was so pleasantly surprised,' says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez. 'I love that the brand has such carefully selected bouquets and that they have same-day delivery for certain cities.' This bouquet is also available in small and large sizes, and comes freshly picked and in bud form (the brand recommends allowing 2 to 3 days for the buds to fully bloom). Sometimes, a practical gift is the best way to go, which is exactly what makes this steamer such a great choice. It has a sleek, aesthetically-pleasing design and is lightweight and easy to pack, making it the perfect travel accessory for your mom's next trip. It has a one-button control and heats up in only 15 seconds, according to the brand, and also includes a wall mount bracket and a storage bag for on-the-go use. The steamer's head is also rotational, so you can use it in any position. We're big coffee lovers at NBC Select, and if your mom is anything like us then she'll love this adorable espresso maker from Bodum. It's made from stainless steel and has a nonreactive interior, meaning it keeps the coffee tasting fresh and clean without any metallic aftertaste, according to the brand. It can brew coffee in less than two minutes and is compatible with gas, electric and induction stovetops. The espresso maker also comes in vibrant colors that are sure to add some flair to your mother's kitchen counter. Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer Although Instagram is great, nothing beats the nostalgia of a physical photo, especially when it comes to preserving family memories. This photo printer from Canon is compact and pocket-sized, and uses dye-based crystals to print your photos out directly from your smartphone, according to the brand. Since it doesn't use ink, your mom won't need to purchase cartridge replacements, and can simply connect her phone to the printer via Bluetooth whenever she wants to use it. Gifts $100 & over Apple iPad (11th Gen) Tablets are the perfect multifunctional gift — they can act as an entertainment centre, a workstation, an organizational tool and more. Apple's iPads are some of our favorite tablets, and this 11th Generation model has a new, faster A16 processing chip, which means your mom will be able to browse the web, stream her favorite shows, or scroll through her go-to apps with faster connectivity than previous models, according to the brand. Fernandez loves his iPad and says he uses it more than he thought he would. 'It's the perfect travel accessory and prevents me from getting bored on long-haul flights,' he says. Plus, I love pairing it with a cover that doubles as a stand.' You can buy this iPad with either 128GB, 256 GB, or 512GB of storage, and in colors like blue, yellow, silver and more. For the crafting mother in your life, I suggest the Cricut Joy Xtra, which is a craft and print digital design machine that's perfect for her next creative project. When Fernandez tried the Cricut Joy Xtra, he loved how easy it was to use along with the machine's compact, space-conscious design. 'I'm always surprised by everything this machine can make,' he says. 'I love using it to make personalized greeting cards and apparel.' If your mom is a dedicated crafter or just in the market for a new hobby, she'll love the chance to use this machine for DIY projects like wall decals, decorations, personalized clothes and coffee mugs and more. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote When it comes to stylish work totes, the Longchamp Le Pliage is a classic favorite of ours. Its minimal design pairs easily with outfits and looks across the board, and it comes in seven colors, including black, red and navy. NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi brought her mom to the Longchamp store and bought her this tote as a gift, and says it's one of her mom's favorite gifted possessions. This smart bird feeder is a step up for any nature-loving moms; it has a built-in camera that connects to your Wifi and streams footage directly to your phone via the linked app, according to the brand. The bird feeder can also take photos and videos of the birds to help you identify different types, and has a perch and a roof to prevent rainfall from ruining the seed. Boox Palma 2 NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman tested the Boox Palma 2 for over three weeks, and it quickly became his go-to reading device. However, this e-reader is for more than just books — your mom can use the Boox Palma 2 to browse the web, listen to music and more, according to the brand. It's designed to be a stirpped-down, black-ink version of an Android smartphone, meaning your mom can connect to the Google Play store to download her favorite reading and audiobook apps to keep with her while on-the-go. Fitbit Charge 6 Whether your mom is a fitness beginner or full-on fanatic, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a great choice for a fitness watch gift. It's small, so it doesn't weigh down or take up too much space on your wrist, and tracks metrics like heart rate, step count, calories burned, nightly sleep and more, according to the brand. It can also be paired with her smartphone to show notifications for text, calls and emails while wearing it, and can connect to other home gym equipment via Bluetooth. I tried this red light therapy face mask from Dr. Dennis Gross for three weeks, and I definitely recommend it for any moms who are serious skin care enthusiasts. It has three modes (red light, blue light and both) to address skin care concerns like fine lines and acne-causing bacteria, and each cycle only lasts for three minutes. It has an adjustable strap that gives it a close, customized fit, and the mask itself works well as a short but effective boost in any daily skin care routine. Why trust NBC Select? I'm an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select who has given dozens of gift ideas for a variety of holidays and occasions, including the best zodiac gifts, aesthetic gifts, and fun-size gifts. For this article, I researched products across shopping categories like home, tech, kitchen, wellness and more, including previously-covered NBC Select staff favorites, and compiled the best gifts for moms to consider this year.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
6 Side Hustles for Middle-Class Retirees in 2025
Need to work a side hustle for extra income in retirement? Don't despair at the prospect of getting back into the workforce again. There are plenty of side gigs you can work that allow you to utilize your skills, set your own schedule and even allow the items in your home, like sports equipment, to do the work for you. (We'll explain more in a minute!) Check Out: Read Next: Here are some of the best recommendations GOBankingRates has received for middle-class retirees who need simple, well-paid side gigs this year. Last year, we spoke to Dan W., a senior who works as a tasker with the online marketplace Taskrabbit who graciously shared how his lifetime of hands-on work has translated into consistent annual income via tasks he completes through the platform. Dan told GOBankingRates he has completed more than a thousand tasks in IKEA assembly and general furniture assembly through Taskrabbit, charging $47 per hour for his services. If you're great at assembling furniture, Taskrabbit might be the platform for you. And if you aren't, consider checking out other areas where taskers and their services are in high demand. According to the Taskrabbit website, these include but are not limited to cleaning, painting and outdoor help services. Try This: That's Interesting: Does your closet contain a lot of clothing, shoes and/or accessories that you've never worn or have used gently just a few times? Consider listing these items on the social commerce marketplace Poshmark to clear out your space and make some money. When we previously spoke to Amber McCasland, VP of global brand and communications at Poshmark, McCasland told GOBankingRates that Poshmark takes a flat commission of $2.95 for all sales under $15. Sales of $15 or more allow sellers to keep 80% of the sale with 20% designated for Poshmark's commission. To effectively resell, take nice photos of the items you're putting up for sale, give each listing a title, description and price and post it within the Poshmark app. See More: While you're clearing out your wardrobe, it's time to tackle the various gifts you've accumulated over the years and had no real use for. Much like Poshmark, you can utilize a marketplace like OfferUp and sell these unused gifts to local buyers. When we previously spoke to an OfferUp representative about the marketplace, they referred to findings from their Recommerce Report that indicated 40% of Americans surveyed use 'recommerce' as passive income. They earned an average of $1,000 from selling items. Did you ever buy a boat, kayak, paddleboard or canoe? Your days of letting those pieces of sports equipment gather dust or — worse — selling them for way less than what they are worth at a garage sale are over. Consider listing out this equipment as rentals on GetMyBoat, the world's largest boat rental marketplace. Val Streif, marketing manager at GetMyBoat, previously told GOBankingRates the average owner on GetMyBoat earns over $15,000 annually. If that hasn't convinced you to give the app a try, we interviewed a retiree known as Captain Jim last year who told GOBankingRates how he is able to earn $800 a month in retirement as a boat captain through GetMyBoat. While this option is more akin to passive income than side hustle, it's not a bad idea to look into renting out extra space in your home. Consider looking into a self-storage marketplace such as where hosts are able to set fair terms and renters can find friendly spaces. You can list out the space you'd like to offer for storage, which can include a basement, attic, garage or driveway, and provide terms for how renters interact with you. If your space meets their needs, they'll reserve it and schedule a move-in date. A Neighbor representative previously told GOBankingRates that the platform pays out monthly and many hosts on the platform are able to bring in thousands of dollars each year. Find Out: Summer will be here before you know it. If you don't have a fear of heights and love to start your mornings right as the sun rises, don't write off the prospect of becoming a hot air balloon crew member. When GOBankingRates previously spoke to Eliav Cohen, chief pilot at Seattle Ballooning, about this side hustle, Cohen said most crew members make $100 to $120 per flight. More From GOBankingRates Walgreens and CVS Are Closing Nearly 1,000 Stores in 2025: 4 Alternatives If Your Local Store Closes Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable EnginesThis article originally appeared on 6 Side Hustles for Middle-Class Retirees in 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
