ceasesmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> techman01 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Sallyctss that seems like a pennywise dollar
> > foolish move.
> > A smarter move would be to do other shops that
> pay
> > actual fees.
> > Then take that money and use it to go to the
> > aquarium, movies etc
> > and not have to pay anything out of pocket or
> > write a report after
> > visiting a 'fun' place and can just enjoy
> > yourself.
>
>
> There's absolutely NOTHING pennywise & pound
> foolish about Sally's post.
>
> If you shop for reimbursement only, you won't have
> ANY taxable income; you could do a million dollars
> worth a year and not receive one single solitary
> 1099; you won't NEED any deductions against
> income, because you won't be generating any
> taxable income.
>
> She's using her shopping skills to heighten her
> standard of living.
>
> I, too, cannot afford to take my kids and
> grandkids to a museum, water park, zoo, special
> events, etc. But I LOVE to treat them to stuff
> like that. If I get tickets worth over $100 that
> covers the
> cost of getting in, I can treat the kids! Since
> I'm not generating taxable income (unless someone
> tips the IRS to what amounts to bartering, in
> which case the MSC's would have to start paying
> us
> REAL money instead of the nickels & dimes they
> give us!), I don't have to EARN $150 in pre-tax
> dollars to be able to treat the kids!
>
> Perhaps there's someone else here who's pennywise
> and pound foolish, but it ain't Sally!
>
> cease
I COMPLETELY agree with you and Sallyctss!
That's actually almost all I do are reimbursement shops (with HIGH reimbursements). My husband and I bought a house almost a year ago, so we have been pinching pennies to build our savings back up from our large cash deposit. Because of mystery shopping this last year, I have been able to save thousands of dollars on things we typically would like to do. We spent almost nothing on our wedding anniversary because I picked up a bunch of fine dining restaurants (some with small fees or bonuses attached). We get to eat out at nice restaurants at least 1-2x a week. Ya, it's not so good for the bellies lol but we've learned to portion our food and take home leftovers, which saves money on other meals as well.
We got out carpet cleaned for free along with a hefty payment and bonus. We got to go on a 3 night getaway with a HUGE added free bonus. We get to go watch movies for free, but we are also signed up for Movie Previews which is similar but without a report and just a small survey along with another free movie ticket for going.
I've had numerous free facials and massages. Free gifts for birthdays. Free high end facial products for full reimbursements. Lots of "free" (full reimbursement) products.
I am one of the shoppers that does the reimbursement shops because it allows me to save my money and be able to get things or eat at places I wouldn't normally allow in my budget. I have learned to weed out the "coupon" shops depending on how badly I need to go to that location anyway. For example, I needed something at Annas Linens and a shop was $10 reim only. I was already going there and the report is easy enough, so why not? Now would I go out of my way to pick that up, no.
I always get WAY excited when there is a small fee added on to those shops, even if it's $10! Since November, I have been reimbursed about $3,000 for those shops and have only actually "made" about $900 in fees. Works for me!! It's my "hobby"
Oh I forgot to mention! I always use my AMEX rewards card to pay for my reimbursement shops. I have earned LOTS of rewards this last year by doing so!! I highly recommend it.
IamAMYsteryshopper
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/2014 04:27PM by NotSoSecretShopper.