The end of last year, I had unexpected events arise, that set in motion some of the BEST things that have happened to me in the past year.
I’m no longer driving for either Uber or Lyft. As noted in previous posts, I decided to stop driving for Uber last year, when I realized that I literally could not survive and meet the terms of their predatory Xchange lease. With having the leased Xchange car, I could only get paid weekly. So, to buy GAS and FOOD (because I couldn’t get money), I had to use the Uber gas card….. Both of which made it so that I haven’t been paid cash money from Uber, the money I should be paid, has to be paid to them (they keep it), from the necessity of using the Uber gas card and being locked into the Uber lease.
So why am I no longer driving for Lyft?
Things with Lyft were going great…. I was making money and surviving…. Being paid cash….. Until the last day before my insurance expired. Even though Lyft paid me, my earning, over time, had dwindled…. Due to market saturation (drivers). Many drivers, like myself, had to drive from unprofitable markets, such as Sacramento, Fresno, Modesto, etc., to make ridesharing profitable. As expected, that worked for a while, but as time went on, and more and more drivers started coming to the Bay Area, without there being an increase in ridership, as you can imagine, revenue share for drivers individually decreased. Anyhow, based on my daily earnings and expenses, my plan was to work the entire last day if my active insurance, and before it expired, renew. The money I earned that day, since Lyft allowed me to immediately be paid, would go towards my insurance. I assumed I had until that evening with Lyft, because my insurance expired the next day. I was wrong. Mistake on B. By 3pm(ish), about 75% of the way to the money I needed to renew my insurance, Lyft disabled my account, until I updated my account with new insurance information. Had I had just a few more hours, I’m certain I would have been good to go. I thought about calling family and asking to borrow the money.
But then I thought about it.
Maybe this was the push I needed, to see that there was really NO WAY out of this game, in which Uber and Lyft were the real, and only, winners.
Did this mean I was going to whistle at the follower parked across the street and tell them to come pick up the car?
Nope.
I changed my entire plan…. Well…. ALMOST my entire plan. I decided that while I would still pay to get out of this Xchange lease, my means of doing so, would have to change. I could not, and would not, try and pay down my owed lease payments, to get current and surrender the vehicle, by means of driving for these companies. All I was doing was physical and emotional damage to myself, that honestly, tho this day, I’m not certain I can ever undue. Based on the MASSIVE amount of weight I’ve gained alone, my health is at risk. A family member looked at me and said, “B, you’ve blossomed…. And not in a good way.”….. Ouch!
In the moment, I decided to immediately execute a new plan of action, which included:
- Ending my relationship, as a driver, with BOTH Uber and Lyft
- Turning back to my passion to make a living (and pay down my debt)…. Business (for myself)
- Leaving the open road (and staying with family…. which had ALWAYS been an option, from day 1, when I left my house…. But I thought I could work every day, and have no rent, etc., and make money…. and my problems would be solved)
As soon as I made those decisions, I left the parking lot (McDonald’s) I had been sitting in, weighing my options.. I waved at the finance follower (which I frequently did) and went to Chevron to get gas. I was leaving the Bay Area, and the state. I was done. My ride from Chevron to the garage where my car now sits, was the most relieving and stress free ride I’ve had in a while. I felt like the universe said “Now”…. I heard it loud and clear. I’ve been trying to control things, the WRONG things, for far too long.
Now, I live a semi-normal life. In October, I started a for profit business. We’re still not as profitable as I’d like, but we are turning a profit. And based on my calculations, soon, like next month, I should be able to start putting a dent in my debt to get out of this predatory lease. I also have, and have had for some time now, a political action committee. While my PAC has not had any activities, as indicated in out FEC filings, I plan to use my PAC to take on some of the practices done by these “rideshare” companies in the near future.
I will keep you updated.
Looks like I will be soon, but for now….
#INeverLeaveMyCar