I was introduced to mystery shopping by my best friend when I became unemployed. I was overwhelmed at first so I only worked for one company, which only reimbursed for meals at the "desert restaurant". At first I didn't tell people that I was a shopper, instead, I would "treat" them as their birthday gift to save money. I REALLY wish I was privy to ALL of the companies that I could have worked for back then!
I'm working FT now again, but I make a lot less than I did prior so I work for several companies now. I continue to shop to save money on services I would already need/want; oil changes, haircuts, food!, carpet cleaning, clothing, massages, facials, etc.
I also do the shops that are cash, rather than reimbursements; that helps w/ gas money and such.

Today I had a $215 payment go into my checking account. I right away paid my electric bill. Still have 194 to catch up. Most of my money pays bills, but I have saved some of it as well. Never know what is around the corner.

Amazing story

Lady Marius Wrote:
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> It is so great to hear all the stories about how
> people spend their MS money, or even why they
> Mystery Shop. I too live on Disability. I can not
> work a regular 9 to 5 job. But as many others have
> said the flexibility of Mystery Shopping has
> afforded me an opportunity to supplement my
> Disability Payments. It has also given me back my
> life. It was getting so tedious staying at home,
> doing nothing!
>
> I have bought a Laptop, which helps me get the job
> done. And a memory foam mattress topper for my
> bed, which helps with my back problems. Most of my
> Debt was forgiven or paid off, when I became
> disabled, but this would have been a great way to
> get that under control!
>
> I love this business. I have the opportunity to
> try foods I would never have tried on my dime. I
> have learned more about the Banking Profession and
> Investing then I ever wanted too. But I also get
> to pretend to be anything I want to pretend to be.
> Married, not. Children, not. But most shops I am
> married, some I have kids. What ever helps me get
> the job done! Maybe I should have been an
> actress!
>
> Lady Marius
> Canadian Mystery Shopper

I shop to ensure that neither we nor our daughter will end up with educational loan debt. Our son graduated in May and we were able to swing all 4 years of his tuition at a private university, but our daughter has 2 years to go and the savings are all gone. We didn't want to have to do loans, and I did NOT want to work a regular full time job and never get to go see her (she's 2000 miles away) so this is really turning out to be the solution for us. My goal is $50 per day, 5 days per week. Added to the money I earn from my part time job, it covers her tuition.

A side benefit I've noticed is that our expenses have gone WAY down. We almost never spend any money anymore without thinking, "hey, let's wait until that Grocery shop tomorrow to buy that," or "We need the oil changed on the car, let's look for a shop," or "let's see if we can find 2 fast food shops near each other tonight so we can both get dinner!" (My husband shops, too).

It has also changed the way I think about organizing my day. If I have to go ANYWHERE, I jump on the boards to see if I can find a shop or two in the area so that the trip isn't "wasted" and the gas gets paid for!

Most importantly, it has helped me through the depression I was experiencing as a result of the empty nest. It's a lot of fun, a great distraction, and never the same 2 days in a row, so I have a lot to think about, and a purpose for getting up in the mornings. I'm really thankful to have found Mystery Shopping.

I need all tha info possible...I want to make this into a full time job ...if possible.....I really dnt kno to much about "mystery shopper" I am currently living in PHILADELPHIA . If anyone has info plz inlighten meeeeeeeeee...thank u in advance

Mustafa, go to the New Mystery Shoppers section of this forum and read through the first few threads. That will provide you with a lot of basic information. At the bottom of this page you will find a link to a list of mystery shopping companies. You need to sign up with the companies to have access to work. All the companies will have tutorials and/or instructions on their websites about how they want things done. When you take on a job, you will get specific guidelines for that job. Mystery shopping is mostly self taught so you must be willing to read and ask specific questions about whatever you don't understand.
Welcome to the forum.

Shopping is my full time job. I have a system where I make money and use the reimbursement allotments to pad my everyday needs. Groceries, cleaning supplies, pet supplies.

I also use the small reimbursements to grab those little $1 to $3 items all through the year. When there is a birthday or holiday... gift baskets are the way to go for me.

Another thing I use shopping for, lifestyle.

Movies, dinner, golf, hotel stays, amusement parks, you name it, I do it.... all shops. This allows me to travel/go out with my family to places I, otherwise, would not be able to go.

I just got back to this thread wanted to answer question on if I travel a lot so I can live off of it as my full time and sole income.
I travel anywhere from 4 to 10 days outside my home area per month. In other words I am within 50 miles of home shopping from 20 to 26 days a month and anywhere from 51 to 350 miles away from my home area 4 to 10 days a month. 2-3 days is a regular route I have automatically assigned that is done monthly.

I am using it to pay off debt and keep my horses fed. I found out about mystery shopping when my husband lost his job the day after Christmas (Merry Christmas!!) He is employed again so now I can use the money to try and get ahead as well as have fun with my horses!