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From Homeschooling Mom to Instacart Pro: My Unexpected Journey

From Homeschooling Mom to Instacart Pro: My Unexpected Journey

Meet Jaynee Lockwood, a resourceful mom who turned her skills as a homeschooling mom into a profitable gig with Instacart — and then used what she learned to launch her next career move! In this post, she explores how she made the leap from home educator to top-rated Instacart shopper, the strategies that helped her stand out, and tips for anyone looking to maximize earnings with Instacart.

In January 2020, just before the world shut down, I signed up to become an Instacart shopper. It was actually my oldest son, Timothy, who encouraged me. “Mom, you’d be great at this,” he said. He wasn’t wrong — with 12 kids (nine of them boys!), I’ve done more grocery shopping in my lifetime than most people can imagine.

At the time, I was a homeschooling mom who hadn’t worked much outside the home — though I’d taught piano and cleaned houses here and there. I signed up not really knowing what to expect. And then COVID hit. Instacart exploded overnight, and I found myself right in the middle of something I genuinely enjoyed — and was good at.

What I Loved About Shopping for Instacart

The flexibility was unmatched. I could open the app whenever I wanted and take a batch — or not. Some days I did just one order. Other days, I worked 10–12 hours. I typically averaged 26–32 active hours a week.

It was also extremely profitable. I was grossing between $45–48/hour regularly — and that’s not including the extra perks we get in California due to Prop 22, which guarantees $18/hour plus mileage reimbursement (on top of tips).

The tips were phenomenal. Providing great service always paid off — customers often increased their tips after the order was done. Plus, they could leave compliments on the app, which made me feel appreciated and connected.

The exercise and movement were a bonus. I tried DoorDash too, but found it frustrating to sit in the car all day. With Instacart, I was walking, moving, getting my steps in, and staying active while earning money.

It tapped into my natural strengths. I genuinely loved shopping — from planning the best route through the store to finding the right replacements. I even enjoyed the Tetris-like challenge of bagging items carefully and efficiently.

I also loved interacting with store staff and customers. Over time, I got to know employees at the stores I shopped in regularly, which gave me a sense of community — even while working independently.

Realities to Keep in Mind

While Instacart has been a huge blessing, there are practical things to consider:

Car Wear and Tear: You’ll put a lot of miles on your car, so having a reliable, gas-efficient vehicle is key.
Self-Employment: As a 1099 contractor, you’re responsible for your own taxes. Be disciplined about setting money aside.
Mileage Tracking: This is your biggest tax deduction. Use a notebook or mileage tracking app to log everything accurately.
Presentation Matters: I invested in a low-cost car wash membership and kept my car clean. I didn’t want to deliver groceries in a messy car — it just didn’t sit right with me.
Efficiency Equals Earnings: Knowing store layouts and planning your route mentally increases your speed, which means higher earnings per hour.

Where I Am Now

To date, I’ve completed 3,045 Instacart orders — and every one of them helped in a season when our family needed it.

These past few years, I’ve shopped less frequently because I’ve started working alongside my husband. He was formerly the general manager of a SERVPRO in our town, but more recently, we launched our own disaster restoration business — and it’s been a joy building something together.

Now, my days look different. Four of our sons (still living at home) work in the business with us, and I’m still homeschooling — with just a junior and senior left to graduate. It’s a full life, and I’m thankful for it.

The Ongoing Flexibility

The beauty of Instacart is — I can still shop whenever I want. If I need extra money for a trip, to bless a friend, or to help cover a bill, I can jump on the app anytime. Within two hours of completing an order, I can cash out my earnings (for a small $0.50 fee), or simply wait for the weekly direct deposit. That kind of flexibility is rare — and it’s something I still value.

Final Thoughts

Instacart was more than a side hustle for me — it was a stepping stone. It filled a financial gap when I needed it, gave me confidence after years of being at home, and reminded me that the skills I used daily as a mom were valuable in the real world, too.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom looking for income, a homeschooler needing flexibility, or just someone who loves shopping and serving others — it might be worth looking into.

Jaynee Lockwood is wife to Daniel and mama to 12 (nine sons and three daughters), with ages ranging from 28 down to 16. She and her husband live in Daniel and I live in Redding, California, where they own and run their family business, Rush Relief Restoration Services. She has been homeschooling for 25 years and has just two years left with her youngest boys, who are now a junior and senior in high school. She’s also a proud Mimi to two grandbabies, with another one on the way this fall.