This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ashley Colon, a 23-year-old Instacart shopper from Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Insider has verified her earnings with documentation.

“Blinkies” used to be how couponers would fondly refer to automatic coupon dispensers at the shelf, with a blinking red light at the top. Now the term could end up referring to something else ...

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with an Instacart shopper in Oregon. He has shopped for Instacart for three years. He described what it's like shopping and delivering orders for ...