RV Delivery Driver

Have you ever considered a job delivering RV's? 

 I was visiting with my uncle the other day, and he talked about his job delivering rv's around the country.  I asked, "you mean you're working for a rv manufacturer?" "Yep" he replied "I filled out a application, and was accepted".
After he was accepted, he had to go through their training program, which was not much more than driving an rv around a parking lot.  My aunt took the training program too.

The company doesn't allow extra people to ride in the vehicle. By both of them being employees, they can travel together. The company also requires a $1000.00 deposit that they hold.

What is the thousand bucks for? I asked.  I don't know, he said. Then after thinking for a second said that it probably has something to do with insurance.
   When you finish the training, you can pick and choose the routes you want.  My uncle started with a short hop to Chicago. About a 4 hr drive from where the factory is located.  A simple route, it allowed him to get his feet wet.

 He added, "they have a 1000 drivers, but are always looking for more.  Plus you only have to deliver a rv once every 6 months."

    I checked out their website.  The job requirements state that you have to make a delivery at least once a month.  I later asked my uncle about that.  He commented that they are lenient in their requirements to stay current with deliveries.

"They really try to work with you", he added.
"How much does it pay, and am I expected to drive 8 hrs a day?" I asked.

8 hrs?!! He laughed, no, they expect you to drive 12 hours a day, and it depends on how you plan to return that determines if you make any money. If you buy a plane ticket, or stay in a fancy hotel, the delivery may end up costing you money.
 My uncle purchased and uses a small 4 cylinder car that he tows behind the rv.

I crunched the numbers, and figured that even if you travel the cheapest way possible, its not worth it to quit your day job. However, if you are retired and want to see the country, (like my uncle), its a great way to get a paid vacation. 
Every week, or month choose a new destination, and the delivery of the rv will pay for the trip.

 I work in the factory 3 days a week. Is it possible to deliver rv's on my days off?  I have family in Florida.  My wife and I discussed the possibility of delivering rv's to Florida on a regular basis.  After thinking about it, I decided its not practical for me. I did however make a mental note to follow up on this when I retire. Every month or so, deliver a rv, and see the country for free or even make some money.
  


Here are 2 of the most popular RV delivery websites:
  http://www.horizontransport.com/
  http://www.qualitydriveaway.com/
or Google "paid to deliver RV's".

also check out my article on Cross Country Courier.

Mashed Potato Candy

I picked up one of those weekly gossip magazines the other day, and browsed through the want ads in the back. I noticed there were several ads for recipes.
You've seen them. Grandma's secret recipe for pecan pie. Mouth watering great. Send me two dollars, and I will reveal the family's private recipe.   

It reminded me of when I was a boy, and dad made a candy out of mashed potatoes.  It wasn't something he did very often, so when he did make it, it was a treat.  He added ingredients to the mashed potatoes, and then rolled it into a log.  After it set a short time, he cut the log into bite size pieces.

I phoned dad and we discussed his candy.   He told me how he made it, and we brain stormed different variations that could be made.

It makes me wonder.....
Do those recipe ads in magazines make any money?  You see the same ad every week in the magazine.  I think if the ad didn't make money, it wouldn't keep reappearing.  Also, could you back sell anything along with the recipe?   Offer a cookbook?  Cooking utensils?  A recipe of the month club?  Could it be made into a gift basket?

Locally, a lady sells caramels every year at Christmas. She makes and sells bite size pieces rolled in cellophane. I was told she always sells out..... 
A local church sells cheese balls every spring. It has become such a big seller, they now advertise in the local paper and sell thousands......
I read that Paul Newman's salad dressing started out with him giving it away to family and friends......
I have a friend that has a secret family recipe for barbecue.  He turned it into a full time job. Check out the  Grilling and Barbecuing article written December 2010.

Do you have a old family secret recipe?

Deliver Newspapers

I work with a guy, who came up to me the other day, and said that he had started a part-time job delivering newspapers.  I frowned, and said that when I was a kid, I delivered papers for $10.00 a week.  How do you expect to make money with newspapers?  He said things have changed. You no longer have to collect the weekly dues. The pay is much better, so much so that carriers are fighting over the big routes when they open up. (which is seldom). Why do you want a bigger route? I asked.  He said that the bigger routes pay great! He said he's considering quitting the factory, and delivering papers full time. He said he managed to get his wife a part-time route too.

I have to admit, I would have never considered delivering newspapers. Years ago, I did call about delivering one of those free weekly ad papers. You had to pick up the ad paper on Tuesday, and have it delivered by 5:00 p.m. Thursday. I figured I could deliver the paper in my spare time. Two days was a lot of time to get it done. However, the route had already been taken when I called, but they said they would put me on a list, and call if anything opened up. (they never called,)

Ever consider becoming a delivery person?