HELP! I need to um…. I need something!!!
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Sacrifices, almost always.
Maybe you can do shops while the boys are in school. Then when they get home, everyone gets a snack and chit chats about their day. Following that, the boys have homework and Grandma has reports. If Grandma's day permits, maybe you can do the onsite and report before school is out
Have you tried banks, home improvement, cellular, apartments, automotive, gasoline, grocery shops?
Maybe you can do shops while the boys are in school. Then when they get home, everyone gets a snack and chit chats about their day. Following that, the boys have homework and Grandma has reports. If Grandma's day permits, maybe you can do the onsite and report before school is out
Have you tried banks, home improvement, cellular, apartments, automotive, gasoline, grocery shops?
You might need to make the leap into video.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
I'd take your grandson's advice and get a new job.
I'm not sure how you can submit good reports and observe everything you need to with two children in tow, especially unhappy children.
Higher paying shops require more detail and more observation. Children are a distraction. I've done many high paying shops that spefically state in the guidelines children are not allowed to accompany the shopper.
Sorry to rain on your parade, just my two cents.
I'm not sure how you can submit good reports and observe everything you need to with two children in tow, especially unhappy children.
Higher paying shops require more detail and more observation. Children are a distraction. I've done many high paying shops that spefically state in the guidelines children are not allowed to accompany the shopper.
Sorry to rain on your parade, just my two cents.
I would suggest you get a real job. It will take less time and overall pay better than mystery shopping. I say this as someone who just took a part time job and in two weeks at 25 hours a week I have been paid about what I averaged in a month mystery shopping for the last two years. (I also have other income from other pursuits.) And I'm not up till midnight doing reports after a day of route shopping and being wiped out the next day.
Or, spend the first two weeks of the month doing essentially no mystery shops, but use that time to apply for five or six new companies a day. The last two weeks of the month the bonuses kick in; mystery shop then. You can do fewer shops for the same total income if you do them during the bonus weeks.
You can also look at doing online or telephone shops that don't require traveling. Not high paying, but quick and easy.
Or, spend the first two weeks of the month doing essentially no mystery shops, but use that time to apply for five or six new companies a day. The last two weeks of the month the bonuses kick in; mystery shop then. You can do fewer shops for the same total income if you do them during the bonus weeks.
You can also look at doing online or telephone shops that don't require traveling. Not high paying, but quick and easy.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
Video shops is my goal. Only thing holding me back is $700.
I put money away and then need new tires. I save again and then school clothes, you get the idea. ( jeans was $7.00 when my kids went to school. Have you seen these prices? I was blown away!)
I am the sole bread winner, care giver and all the rest. So it may be a while
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
I put money away and then need new tires. I save again and then school clothes, you get the idea. ( jeans was $7.00 when my kids went to school. Have you seen these prices? I was blown away!)
I am the sole bread winner, care giver and all the rest. So it may be a while
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia do what you can. Every dollar helps pay another want or another bill. Good luck to you!
Jeans are still $7 at the thrift store! Thrift stores are way more fun than regular stores and you can find some great deals on nice stuff. Go pop some tags! :-)
Alesia, I'm going to suggest shopping at Goodwill and thrift stores to clothe those growing boys. You'll be surprised how much you can save and many of the clothes bought there are in good condition. I buy most of my tops and pants at Goodwill and I'm always amazed at brand new clothing that's been donated. I recently bought two shirts that were Ralph Lauren, like new, with laundry tags attached, $2.09 each. I think some of the clothing comes directly from the stores. Once you get going with it, you can stock up on the next size up so you're always ready when the boys change sizes.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I have two kids, slightly younger than your grandkids.
Find ways to minimize your expenses. Trim the fat.
At those ages, you can still shop at Once Upon A Child and other second-hand/consignment stores. I'd stay away from thrift/donation stores for the bulk of their wardrobe, as those can be hit or miss. Consignment shops like Once Upon A Child have clothing in new condition. They also do sales based on the color of the tags. Shop out of season, and build wardrobes ahead for the next season. You get brand-new, brand name clothing, without paying brand-new, brand name clothing prices.
If you have an Internet connection at home, and aren't too bad of a TV fanatic, ditch cable and get Netflix. It's $8 a month, and I don't miss cable one bit.
It may seem like a sacrifice for awhile, but you're not saving for a vacation, or something frivolous. You're saving to purchase equipment which will make you more money. My video equipment paid itself off within the first three weeks. It was well worth it.
Find ways to minimize your expenses. Trim the fat.
At those ages, you can still shop at Once Upon A Child and other second-hand/consignment stores. I'd stay away from thrift/donation stores for the bulk of their wardrobe, as those can be hit or miss. Consignment shops like Once Upon A Child have clothing in new condition. They also do sales based on the color of the tags. Shop out of season, and build wardrobes ahead for the next season. You get brand-new, brand name clothing, without paying brand-new, brand name clothing prices.
If you have an Internet connection at home, and aren't too bad of a TV fanatic, ditch cable and get Netflix. It's $8 a month, and I don't miss cable one bit.
It may seem like a sacrifice for awhile, but you're not saving for a vacation, or something frivolous. You're saving to purchase equipment which will make you more money. My video equipment paid itself off within the first three weeks. It was well worth it.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Mert and N-town shopper
I shop while the boys are in day care and school. (Ages 3 and 7) On the weekends, I have their parents come and help corral the boys. (play place while I have coffee and audit) then drag them out of there to go to the party store while I do a cell shop next door)
Because the boys have issues, it is hard to get a regular job. I think it sure would be easier. In order for the baby to have day care, I need to make $150 a week or I would just take less shops. I don’t want to give up shopping because I enjoy it. However, when 11 roll around, it takes me longer so I can write a good report. I do get high scores, but that late at night; it takes a lot of effort.
Dspeaks, I have been doing more phone shops and enjoy them. They allow me to spend more time with the boys.
If I could get higher paying jobs, then I could shop every other day and take the weekend off to enjoy the boys. The boys parents are just now entering back in to their lives, so I know family days would be great!
I love the ideas, please keep them coming.
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
I shop while the boys are in day care and school. (Ages 3 and 7) On the weekends, I have their parents come and help corral the boys. (play place while I have coffee and audit) then drag them out of there to go to the party store while I do a cell shop next door)
Because the boys have issues, it is hard to get a regular job. I think it sure would be easier. In order for the baby to have day care, I need to make $150 a week or I would just take less shops. I don’t want to give up shopping because I enjoy it. However, when 11 roll around, it takes me longer so I can write a good report. I do get high scores, but that late at night; it takes a lot of effort.
Dspeaks, I have been doing more phone shops and enjoy them. They allow me to spend more time with the boys.
If I could get higher paying jobs, then I could shop every other day and take the weekend off to enjoy the boys. The boys parents are just now entering back in to their lives, so I know family days would be great!
I love the ideas, please keep them coming.
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
I can add you to my coupon email list. That could help minimize expenses. I already have 30 people on the list, and I already write the list out for myself, and just share with them. There's also CouponMom.com, but they don't add transaction scenarios.
I am really OCD, and get the ads in advance. I type out all of the sales and corresponding coupons, and then the final price. I organize them by store, and write out the full transaction scenario. Some sales earn points back, which can immediately be used in a separate transaction. Some, your first purchase, which you used coupons for, triggers a coupon to print at the register, which you then "roll" into subsequent transactions, each printing another coupon.
I pay about $30 a month for all snacks, diapers, beverages, cleaning products, laundry items, and toiletries.
I coupon in between shops. If I have a shop at Point A, and one at Point B... I'll stop at a CVS or Walgreens somewhere in between.
I am really OCD, and get the ads in advance. I type out all of the sales and corresponding coupons, and then the final price. I organize them by store, and write out the full transaction scenario. Some sales earn points back, which can immediately be used in a separate transaction. Some, your first purchase, which you used coupons for, triggers a coupon to print at the register, which you then "roll" into subsequent transactions, each printing another coupon.
I pay about $30 a month for all snacks, diapers, beverages, cleaning products, laundry items, and toiletries.
I coupon in between shops. If I have a shop at Point A, and one at Point B... I'll stop at a CVS or Walgreens somewhere in between.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
I have not been to many thrift shops. Mainly because when I go, I cannot find much for the boys. I had not thought of resale/ consignment shops! Great idea.
I don’t have cable, I don’t watch much TV, but I do have Netflix and internet. The schools here are excellent, but rent is high, so we live in a 1 bedroom place. I have started keeping track of every penny on a spread sheet… I need to stop with the sweet teas and fast food because I am “rushed and tired!” so I could save there. Most shops are 30 to hour away, so I tend to bulk up to make the drive worth it.
Great instance: today, when I returned from a shop, my tire was flat! It wasn’t just flat but shredded. A heavy set 50 something grandma, got the donut on, and then sat on the phone to find a tire. Not paying $100 for one. Found a great used one for $40. Called day care and begged her to keep the boys a little later then finished my last shop. I am trying, but I still feel like I am missing it somewhere!
I don’t have cable, I don’t watch much TV, but I do have Netflix and internet. The schools here are excellent, but rent is high, so we live in a 1 bedroom place. I have started keeping track of every penny on a spread sheet… I need to stop with the sweet teas and fast food because I am “rushed and tired!” so I could save there. Most shops are 30 to hour away, so I tend to bulk up to make the drive worth it.
Great instance: today, when I returned from a shop, my tire was flat! It wasn’t just flat but shredded. A heavy set 50 something grandma, got the donut on, and then sat on the phone to find a tire. Not paying $100 for one. Found a great used one for $40. Called day care and begged her to keep the boys a little later then finished my last shop. I am trying, but I still feel like I am missing it somewhere!
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia, I do that too, the spreadsheet.
One thing that really helped me curb spontaneous/instant gratification purchases, was to do research after purchasing something.
Say I was at Marshall's, which is already a thrifty kinda place, and found a Palm coffee carafe for $22. Great deal, right? I bought it. I go home, and look it up on ebay or Craigslist. Find it on eBay, brand new, for $10. Free shipping.
So, on my spreadsheet, I note, in red in the last column, "$12." What's in red is money I bled, by being lazy or not doing enough research/price comparisons before buying.
Non-shop FF purchases are red too.
Red adds up. I have always been really thrifty, so I thought I'd been doing as good as possible, but my first month of tracking expenses using this method, I was really disgusted with myself that I'd "bled" over $700 that month.
One thing that really helped me curb spontaneous/instant gratification purchases, was to do research after purchasing something.
Say I was at Marshall's, which is already a thrifty kinda place, and found a Palm coffee carafe for $22. Great deal, right? I bought it. I go home, and look it up on ebay or Craigslist. Find it on eBay, brand new, for $10. Free shipping.
So, on my spreadsheet, I note, in red in the last column, "$12." What's in red is money I bled, by being lazy or not doing enough research/price comparisons before buying.
Non-shop FF purchases are red too.
Red adds up. I have always been really thrifty, so I thought I'd been doing as good as possible, but my first month of tracking expenses using this method, I was really disgusted with myself that I'd "bled" over $700 that month.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
BBird, I would love that! Thank you
I appreciate it. I never thought that at 55 I would be single, jobless ( lost my job when I took temp custody of the boys) and now a single "grandmom" to 2 special needs boy's. ( not so temp!)
We do what we need to do, we are grateful for it all. My boys are safe, stable and loved. Grandma is blessed to have the, just not acting like it right now!
So I turn to the experts for suggestions because with their help, I CAN do this!
Alesia
Shopping Mid MO
I appreciate it. I never thought that at 55 I would be single, jobless ( lost my job when I took temp custody of the boys) and now a single "grandmom" to 2 special needs boy's. ( not so temp!)
We do what we need to do, we are grateful for it all. My boys are safe, stable and loved. Grandma is blessed to have the, just not acting like it right now!
So I turn to the experts for suggestions because with their help, I CAN do this!
Alesia
Shopping Mid MO
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia - I sent a pm. I am wondering where you are located. I am familiar with several states and can offer you some unique ideas to help you out.
Just lost trying to find a fire pit in a concrete jungle wishing it was a wooded glen...
if it wasn't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all
if it wasn't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all
I hope you are taking advantage of whatever social programs you qualify for -- welfare, food stamps, Sec 8 housing, subsidized cell phones and internet, medical insurance, and of course unemployment -- they can make a huge difference. Also file a tax return even if you don't have to -- filing even with a few thousand dollars of income could trigger tax credits. Having kids makes all the difference in the world when it comes to getting help.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
^Yes.
And don't let pride get in your way. Those programs are there for those who need it. The toddler qualifies for WIC, and that can make all the difference in providing nutritious food, while still stretching your money as far as possible.
And don't let pride get in your way. Those programs are there for those who need it. The toddler qualifies for WIC, and that can make all the difference in providing nutritious food, while still stretching your money as far as possible.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
Alesia:
Bank shops and apartment shops are typically higher paying. Auto shops if you up to it are alright pay. Just ask for at least $40 on them as they will take 1 hour at dealership and one hour for report to start. Once you gain experience you can shave 30 minutes off. Research services groups has quick shops at $15 each. Jobslinger.com and msjobboard.com are good resources. The best suggestion I can offer is to take a day or two and do no shops just sign up for all the companies on the list at the bottom of this page. Feel free to pm and I can try to give some personalized help based on your zip code.
Bank shops and apartment shops are typically higher paying. Auto shops if you up to it are alright pay. Just ask for at least $40 on them as they will take 1 hour at dealership and one hour for report to start. Once you gain experience you can shave 30 minutes off. Research services groups has quick shops at $15 each. Jobslinger.com and msjobboard.com are good resources. The best suggestion I can offer is to take a day or two and do no shops just sign up for all the companies on the list at the bottom of this page. Feel free to pm and I can try to give some personalized help based on your zip code.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
Bbird,
I had not thought of WIC ! We go through milk and cheese like it is candy here! We do get some FS (I can make a 2lb roast in to 3 meals and a dish in the freezer. I go with the eat or starve method! LOL) and they get Medicaid. I just found out about section 8. They have subsidized cell phones and internet? Where do I find out about that? And the tax thing, I had no idea! Thank you.
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
I had not thought of WIC ! We go through milk and cheese like it is candy here! We do get some FS (I can make a 2lb roast in to 3 meals and a dish in the freezer. I go with the eat or starve method! LOL) and they get Medicaid. I just found out about section 8. They have subsidized cell phones and internet? Where do I find out about that? And the tax thing, I had no idea! Thank you.
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
Yeah, WIC covers milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, 100% juices, most cereals, oatmeal, beans, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, and fresh vegetables, canned fruit, and fresh fruit. I think it covers bread and sour cream too, as well, but not completely sure.
I think some states have gotten with the times, and loaded it onto a card like the EBT card, but here in NC, it's still done via a sheet of $25 vouchers.
WIC would make sense for you, as you can use the WIC vouchers to cover the approved items, your EBT allowance for other food items, and then your own money (plus coupons!) to cover what's not covered by the first two.
I think some states have gotten with the times, and loaded it onto a card like the EBT card, but here in NC, it's still done via a sheet of $25 vouchers.
WIC would make sense for you, as you can use the WIC vouchers to cover the approved items, your EBT allowance for other food items, and then your own money (plus coupons!) to cover what's not covered by the first two.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
free cell phone and 200 minutes per month from assurance wireless. Internet I don't know.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
BB, Can I call you BB?
My boys will NOT eat cooked vegies... give em ranch and celery, carrots, broccoli, apples, grapes, oranges. ect are like popcorn !
They dont want dinner, these are the kinds of things they choose to eat. the dr. said they are to light.... I prefer they eat this way... she blames it on meds... roller coaster!
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
My boys will NOT eat cooked vegies... give em ranch and celery, carrots, broccoli, apples, grapes, oranges. ect are like popcorn !
They dont want dinner, these are the kinds of things they choose to eat. the dr. said they are to light.... I prefer they eat this way... she blames it on meds... roller coaster!
Alesia
Shopping Mid Mo
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
My girls are the same way with breakfast and lunch. Rather than eating those two meals, they eat 5-6 snacks. They like things like cherry tomatoes and carrots with avocado, grilled chicken, cheese, flatbread, cantaloupe, warm granola squares, etc.... but refuse to have a sit-down meal, those first two meals of the day. So they snack all day, are constantly munching on something. Our pediatrician says that it's actually healthier. Humans have a metabolism built for snacking, not binge meals. So I'm not too worried!!
They do sit down for dinner, but still eat pretty light. My older daughter won't eat red meat, so mostly sticks to fish, chicken, and vegetables. Her favorite dish at the moment is lemon squash hollowed out, stuffed with quinoa, peppers, chicken and garbanzo beans, and grilled. That's pretty much her lunch every day, the past week or so.
We have a sizable garden, and are building a small greenhouse right now for the winter, so that we can have fresh veggies all year round. I've found gardening can really help cut down a lot on fresh veggie purchases.
They do sit down for dinner, but still eat pretty light. My older daughter won't eat red meat, so mostly sticks to fish, chicken, and vegetables. Her favorite dish at the moment is lemon squash hollowed out, stuffed with quinoa, peppers, chicken and garbanzo beans, and grilled. That's pretty much her lunch every day, the past week or so.
We have a sizable garden, and are building a small greenhouse right now for the winter, so that we can have fresh veggies all year round. I've found gardening can really help cut down a lot on fresh veggie purchases.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
I live in a 1 bedroom trailer, and the neighbor comes out and cusses out if the go out. No garden in our future. But I agree, the healthy snacks are better for them. The doc is concerned because weight loss is a side effect of the meds he is on. He is 3, growing and I am guiding him to love healthy. Doc just wants him to gain weight….uggggg
Alesia
Shopping mid Mo
Alesia
Shopping mid Mo
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Alesia
Shopping id MO
Alesia
Shopping id MO
Container gardening could be a possibility, though with three people in a one bedroom place, maybe not!
I'd suggest something small just for the kids. A grape tomato plant, or some herbs near a window. It's educational and healing, the act of nurturing something to grow. And it adds one more measure of stability to their lives, something they may have not had much of before you.
I grew up dirt poor, but my home never lacked for love. Can't say I missed out on a thing, not having new jeans.
I'd suggest something small just for the kids. A grape tomato plant, or some herbs near a window. It's educational and healing, the act of nurturing something to grow. And it adds one more measure of stability to their lives, something they may have not had much of before you.
I grew up dirt poor, but my home never lacked for love. Can't say I missed out on a thing, not having new jeans.
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Plan the work. Work the plan.
Plan the work. Work the plan.
I'm with them on the container gardening. It is amazing what people can get out of a container, or a 4x4 raised bed (if permitted.) Compost is free, since you make it yourself, and if you have a neighbour who complains if your grandkids get a little sun and fresh air once in a while I would suggest putting your compost closest to his or her home as you can.
Learn the deadlines of various shops, ones that typically bonus. Most FF shops will at least double in fee (or a lot more in rural areas) towards the end of their deadline. (Arches end on the 15th in my area.) Get to know a scheduler or two; save their numbers and get on their go-to list. In my area there are two companies that to gas shops, and one bonuses quite well. A doubled fee is like doing two shops, but half the time.
There is a pizza buffet in my area that rarely bonuses, but offers enough of a fee plus reimbursement to cover our family of four for lunch. While I don't make much money with those, they make a good Sunday afternoon outing that can include the kids.
Learn the deadlines of various shops, ones that typically bonus. Most FF shops will at least double in fee (or a lot more in rural areas) towards the end of their deadline. (Arches end on the 15th in my area.) Get to know a scheduler or two; save their numbers and get on their go-to list. In my area there are two companies that to gas shops, and one bonuses quite well. A doubled fee is like doing two shops, but half the time.
There is a pizza buffet in my area that rarely bonuses, but offers enough of a fee plus reimbursement to cover our family of four for lunch. While I don't make much money with those, they make a good Sunday afternoon outing that can include the kids.
I think you should concentrate on shops that lessen your monthly expenses...restaurants, haircuts, oil changes, grocery shops, etc. Maybe that will help you in the long run. The other ideas above are all great as well.
Liz
Liz
The internet subsidies are for rural areas that don't have wired internet. I was on it for awhile and had satellite service for $39.95 a month through Wild Blue. It was limited service but internet connection of course is vital for mystery shopping unless you have a convenient library.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
If you can't find free tax preparation when the time comes, contact me and I'll do it for you for no charge. I've been a tax preparer for over 17 years and can do all states. I will send you a PM with my contact info (don't delete the message) so you'll know where to find it when the time comes if you need it.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
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