(First, my vent...I recently lost my super cushy paper delivery job due to downsizing and took a cut from 14 cents a paper to THREE CENTS A PAPER on my new routes...talk about a pay cut. I am sobbing for my loss. Oh well.)
My back is breaking. I've split one of my routes into four sections, each meeting back at my car to grab more papers. For each section, I split papers between two paper delivery bags and go...I have to carry that many papers each section (I am estimating each section is at least 60 pounds.) My shoulders are killing me after lugging the bags for several miles, and I need help!
I have a wagon, but it doesn't fit in the car. (My old route was where I live, to top it off, so I could take the wagon from my house. Now I have to drive a few miles to get to my routes.)
What else could I use to assist? I don't think I can keep lugging that much...and to split it up any more would mean backtracking to get more papers and twice as much unnecessary walking. I need to be able to carry a lot of papers for each section.
Open to trying anything! Thanks!
Thanks for all the ideas...I'm definitely going to invest in a handcart type thingy for the nicer months.
I guess I forgot to mention, though, that in a month there will probably be three feet of snow and ice on the ground. :) I forgot about it myself.
I LOVE the idea of dropping off part of the papers before I start...that's just the idea I need for winter. I do actually know several people at key locations along my route, so that idea is PERFECT!!!
(If your paper delivery man tosses papers from the cars, there are two things going on. One, he gets paid a lot more than I do, and two, they allow him to do that. We aren't allowed to throw papers from a car at any paper delivery job I've had, you have to have special insurance on your car to do it anyhow, and it's hard on your car. I used to do country motor routes (300 miles a day average) delivering papers when I was a very young adult and thought I made great money until my dad pointed out that I was going to ruin my car...which yes, I did. :( My first new car, that I bought and worked hard for, lasted me less than 10 years and it was a nice car that should've lasted a lot longer!! Sorry, just thought I'd share.) :)
They do have collapsible wagons now. I know I have seen them advertised in the Menards paper and they were not expensive. I have been very tempted to get one myself.
I like the wire "little old lady" cart idea. Those usually fold up nicely too. Other ideas- an old suitcase, a stroller with some sort of box to hold the papers?
Another possibility, on your way driving to your starting point, could you stop at a couple of spots to drop off a load of papers? Then you could start walking your route, pass out papers, get to your previously dropped off load, refill, continue to next drop spot and refill again? I'm not sure if I'm explaining it very well. I bet if you spoke to a couple of the houses along the way, they wouldn't mind if you left a pile of newspapers temporarily at their driveway.
rolling cart they sell them at walgreens walmart for cheap the wheels are in the back have a handle and are tall they fold up from what I have seen
What about something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Flatform-Wheeled-Truck/d...
I know there are also collapsible wagons on the market, too.
How about some sort of collapsible shopping cart? Or a small 'hand truck'?
http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6307-1729-BLK-Rolling-Utili...
http://www.amazon.com/Safco-Products-4054BL-Crate-Black/d...
Don't strain your back. There's go to be something.
How about one of those wire things on wheels you'll see older people
walking with?
I saw one at a thirft store.
Worst case scenario? Use a piece of luggage on wheels.
wow you deserve a pay raise! that's tough work. I hate the cold, i cant imagine. i keep trying to figure out how many papers you need to deliver to make enough money for yourself and for gas too.
if you did 100 houses 5 days a week, that would be 15 bucks a week=(
i hope you find something useful.
Wow you are getting a workout!
Our paper guy tosses papers from his car. His daughter or son help him when there is no school to load, prepare the papers and then they deliver.
Our paper delivery guy tosses the papers from his car.
Maybe a used stroller? That would collapse into your trunk and some are designed to handle a variety of terrain, so it should be easy to push/steer.
