For the week ending 10/15/21, I worked two (2) shifts for a total of 17.51 hours, and earned $618.84, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $400.00.

I KNOW! This was the most lucrative gig week ever thanks to a shift that paid $30.00/hour and a $150.00 cash tip from the same event (which I am reporting for tax purposes). The event was super relaxed, in a gorgeous location, and the rate was so high because it was a really last minute shift (I agreed to work at 11:00AM and had to be onsite by 12:00PM). That is often where the money in gig work is and you have to balance holding out for last minute gigs at a higher rate of pay against the certainty of working, as those gigs may not materialize and/or someone else may snag the shift before you can. My luck that day was entirely accidental and I had not planned on working that day at all but a friend I met through an earlier gig text me to say, “Girl, they have shifts at over $25.00/hour, be tired later!” Sometimes, it literally pays to have hardworking and motivated friends.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math. Although, at this point, how much I set aside for taxes, gas, and car wear-and-tear is a bit arbitrary. I have now started balancing how much I set aside against recent expenditures (e.g. $705.00 on brand new tires) and the fact that a lot of my gig income expenditures are tax deductible. For the most part, I am withholding (setting aside in savings) between 20-30% of the income I receive from gigs.

For the week ending 10/08/21, I worked one (0) shift for a total of 0.00 hours, and earned $0.00, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $0.00.

This post is just to keep me honest. However, the embarrassment of this goose egg did force me to hustle, resulting in my best paid gig EVER. More on that this Friday.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 10/01/21, I worked one (1) shift for a total of 9.30 hours, and earned $232.50, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $200.00.

This post is just to keep me honest. As this amount was reflected in my October 2021 – Student Loan Balance(s) Update, there really isn’t more to be said.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 09/24/21, I worked zero (0) shifts for a total of 0.00 hours, and earned $0.00, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $0.00.

Ugh. This is the first time since I started gig work that I have posted two $0.00 extra income weeks in a row. While it is a bit sad, it’s not entirely surprising. Program work for my full time job at University B has ramped up in earnest and I have worked the past two weekends in a row; and I have to work this upcoming weekend as well. This two week goose egg damaged my pride a bit and I took a shift this past Saturday after working for University B just so I didn’t have to post another goose egg this upcoming Friday; it was also a very lucrative shift at $25.00/hour. I both regret it and would do it again.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 09/17/21, I worked zero (0) shifts for a total of 0.00 hours, and earned $0.00, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $0.00.

This has become a pretty common pattern for me: a good week followed by a goose egg. This past week(end) had little to do with my willingness to work and everything to do with the fact that I had to cover a last minute, 24-hour, week-long, on-call shift for a colleague and unable to accept gig shifts.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 09/10/21, I worked two (2) shifts for a total of 15.00 hours, and earned $240.80, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $198.56.

Not much to say as it was a rather average weekend. Unfortunately, next week’s update with likely be $0.00 as I am on-call this weekend for my main employer and unable accept gigs as a result.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 09/02/21, I worked zero (0) shifts for a total of 0.00 hours, and earned $0.00, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $0.00.

This should come as a surprise to no one as I waxed poetic about whether or not I was being a lazy heffa by not working over the weekend. With Squaddie and Pennyfolk support, I’ve decided I wasn’t and that the break was much needed. I am working Saturday and Sunday of the this weekend so my report next week should look better.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 08/27/21, I worked three (3) shifts for a total of 16.22 hours, and earned $373.64, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $263.55.

This was my most lucrative gig week to date but I have been tired most of the week. The academic year at University B started this week and I have already had to work evenings. I’m just $237.50 shy of hitting my gross additional income target of $1000.00 for August but nothing in me wants to work this weekend. We will see…

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.

For the week ending 08/13/21, I worked zero (0) shifts for a total of 0.00 hours, and earned $0.00, resulting in an extra student loan payment of $0.00.

Ugh, that was tough to write. But I caught a cold last weekend and wasn’t in a position to do much more than nap and try not to be too gross (apparently colds are easier to catch than COVID-19 even if you are masked up and social distancing because there are more of them and they are “hardier.” I know…creepy). Given that my gig work is primarily in the food service industry, it was in my best interest and those with whom I might come in contact that I sit on the bench. However, I am feeling much, much better now and will likely pick up some gig work this weekend.

You can read more about how I am landing gigs in Gig Tales: The Apps or how I determine how much money goes towards my student loans in Gig Tales: The Math.