Side Hustle Scripts

A grab-bag of small tools for people running side hustles: gig-app math, client-finder utilities, and payout trackers. Standard library only: no install, no dependencies.

What is in here

• gigmath.py - true hourly pay for driving/gig work after platform fees, gas, and wear. Counts unpaid deadhead miles and wait minutes; exits 1 when the gig lands below your target rate, so it works in scripts.
• client-emails.py - cost-ranked list of ways to find + verify client emails before cold outreach (coming next).
• payout-audit.py - feeds your payout history in, flags hidden fees and underpriced hours (coming next).

Usage

$ python3 gigmath.py --fare 14.75 --tip 3 --miles 12 --minutes 41 --fee-pct 12
Gross payout:          $17.75
Platform fee:           $1.77  (12.0% of fare)
Fuel (12.0 mi):         $1.24
Wear (12.0 mi):         $0.84
Net take:              $13.90
Time on the clock:     41 min
TRUE HOURLY:        $20.34/hr  at or above target

$ python3 gigmath.py --fare 14.75 --tip 3 --miles 12 --minutes 41 --fee-pct 12 --wait 14 --deadhead 12 --gas-price 3.15 --mpg 31
TRUE HOURLY:        $12.94/hr  below target

$ python3 gigmath.py --fare 14.75 --tip 3 --miles 12 --minutes 41 --fee-pct 12 --json

The math

Net = fare + tip + promo, minus the platform fee (percent of fare), minus fuel ((paid + deadhead miles) / mpg x gas price), minus wear (miles x per-mile cost). Hours = drive minutes + unpaid wait minutes. The output rate is net / hours: the number that actually reaches your pocket per hour of clock time, not the app's per-trip headline.

A rate calculator is the easy part; picking gigs worth your evenings is the real work. For side-hustle breakdowns with real numbers, effective hourly math, and practical guides, see ExtraHustles - side hustles and extra money, done practically.

License

MIT