My Hubby Says I am Working for Nothing....
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scanman1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dspeakes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I track the miles I drove out of my way for
> > mystery shopping and value them as 40 cents a
> mile
> > out of pocket.
>
> Why are you not claiming the IRS amount for 2014?
>
> [www.irs.gov]
> age-Rates
>
> You should claim 56 cents per mile exactly.
You're telling *me* what to take on my tax return???
Go back and read my whole post. I said I *value* the miles at 40 cents when evaluating if I made money or not. Did you miss this sentence: "Fees minus all the miles I drove at the *full IRS rate* equals my taxable income"?? Being a tax preparer for the last 18 years, I certainly know what to claim on my tax return. The one has nothing to do with the other. We were talking about how MS benefits our households. I was explaining how I compute that figure for myself when I mentioned the 40 cents a mile.
Part of that 56 cents a mile covers an allowances for insurance and depreciation, and it is based on the national average operating costs for a passenger vehicle. The real expenses out of your pocket vary widely depending on what you pay for gas where you live, your own MPG, your own insurance rates, whether you go to a shop or do your own repairs, whether you paid $5000 for the car or $50,000, etc. (This is why we have the "actual expenses" method available to us. For half the cars on the road, 56 cents a mile doesn't actually cover everything.) My car gets 40 mpg and I'd be paying insurance and its blue book value would be declining whether I drove it or not. I have calculated my actual out of pocket costs for driving a mile based on gas and oil and brake and tire consumption (wiper blades also deteriorate whether you drive or not; battery usage has nothing to do with mileage). The 40 cents a mile is what I offset against the fee when deciding if a shop is worth doing or not.
That is not what I report to the IRS.
Unless you're driving a real gas guzzler that breaks down a lot or cost a lot of money, 56 cents a mile is not your operating cost. For some people, their operating cost may be higher than 56 cents a mile. For fuel-efficient cars, it is far less than that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 03:11PM by dspeakes.
-------------------------------------------------------
> dspeakes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I track the miles I drove out of my way for
> > mystery shopping and value them as 40 cents a
> mile
> > out of pocket.
>
> Why are you not claiming the IRS amount for 2014?
>
> [www.irs.gov]
> age-Rates
>
> You should claim 56 cents per mile exactly.
You're telling *me* what to take on my tax return???
Go back and read my whole post. I said I *value* the miles at 40 cents when evaluating if I made money or not. Did you miss this sentence: "Fees minus all the miles I drove at the *full IRS rate* equals my taxable income"?? Being a tax preparer for the last 18 years, I certainly know what to claim on my tax return. The one has nothing to do with the other. We were talking about how MS benefits our households. I was explaining how I compute that figure for myself when I mentioned the 40 cents a mile.
Part of that 56 cents a mile covers an allowances for insurance and depreciation, and it is based on the national average operating costs for a passenger vehicle. The real expenses out of your pocket vary widely depending on what you pay for gas where you live, your own MPG, your own insurance rates, whether you go to a shop or do your own repairs, whether you paid $5000 for the car or $50,000, etc. (This is why we have the "actual expenses" method available to us. For half the cars on the road, 56 cents a mile doesn't actually cover everything.) My car gets 40 mpg and I'd be paying insurance and its blue book value would be declining whether I drove it or not. I have calculated my actual out of pocket costs for driving a mile based on gas and oil and brake and tire consumption (wiper blades also deteriorate whether you drive or not; battery usage has nothing to do with mileage). The 40 cents a mile is what I offset against the fee when deciding if a shop is worth doing or not.
That is not what I report to the IRS.
Unless you're driving a real gas guzzler that breaks down a lot or cost a lot of money, 56 cents a mile is not your operating cost. For some people, their operating cost may be higher than 56 cents a mile. For fuel-efficient cars, it is far less than that.
Time to build a bigger bridge.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 03:11PM by dspeakes.
Scanman1, if you would have read dspeakes entire post, you would have seen that, for tax purposes, she does claim the IRS allowance. What she is saying is that, if she is going from Point A to Point B anyhow, and there's a shop 15 miles out of the way, she will calculate those miles at 40 cents per mile to determine if the fee offered is worth taking the shop.
scanman1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dspeakes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I track the miles I drove out of my way for
> > mystery shopping and value them as 40 cents a
> mile
> > out of pocket.
>
> Why are you not claiming the IRS amount for 2014?
>
> [www.irs.gov]
> age-Rates
>
> You should claim 56 cents per mile exactly.
scanman1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dspeakes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I track the miles I drove out of my way for
> > mystery shopping and value them as 40 cents a
> mile
> > out of pocket.
>
> Why are you not claiming the IRS amount for 2014?
>
> [www.irs.gov]
> age-Rates
>
> You should claim 56 cents per mile exactly.
.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Apparently scanman just scanned the post (hahaha) and was unaware dspeakes prepares taxes.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
My husband is the same way! Always griping about me spending money on gas to go to the places. Then, when I bring him back a shirt from his favorite store with full reimbursement, he is all happy.
A few years ago when I was working the trenches with Golden Arches, compare 'n contrast, and cell phone shops, my wife said the exact same thing. She was mad that I would do the restaurant shops and stay up until 3am working on reports. She got mad that we ran over our web data because I was backing up my gas station photos to the cloud. She was FURIOUS when I did a few "breast-rant" shops (without her knowing).
Her tone quickly changed when I took her on a cruise. She loved it when I bring home the Pandora charms for her. She was giddy when I pulled up in a Porsche to take her to the company's Christmas party (car rental shop). Now she loves it when I tell her to take off work for a few days when I score a resort/cruise shop.
They hate it at first, but after you pay your dues, they love it.
Her tone quickly changed when I took her on a cruise. She loved it when I bring home the Pandora charms for her. She was giddy when I pulled up in a Porsche to take her to the company's Christmas party (car rental shop). Now she loves it when I tell her to take off work for a few days when I score a resort/cruise shop.
They hate it at first, but after you pay your dues, they love it.
Mine has enjoyed the restaurants and laughs when I say I need an oil change and asks if it will be reimbursed. He doesn't really know the extent I've been shopping since I don't share a whole lot, but today, we had to go drop a car off and he asked if I could look and see if there was anything near the area "like the $40 bank shop you did last week or that shop where they paid for your gas". I think he is getting it, but slooowly.
My hubby is A-OK with my MSing and app work as long as he is not with me at the time. He has little patience for me doing one shop after another. And when I suggest going to dinner somewhere, he immediately asks, "Is this another mystery shop??" in a whiney kid voice. He used to think it was nothing, but when he was unemployed for six months, guess who was buying him his smokes and keeping food in the house and gas in our cars? After that, he changed his tune. It also helped that app work and MSing (and some charitable people) paid for all of the Christmas gifts last year. Otherwise, the kids would have had nothing.
I understand what he is saying. I have only done 4 so far and my 1st was on 11/01/14 so I havent even been paid yet. Its fun. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. When my daughter asked how much I get paid I told her it varies per job, not sure yet. I feel blessed that all 4 of the shops I have done are just seconds away from my home in a city I have lived all of my life. I haven't paid the price for the premium membership and the better jobs and wonder if it would be worth doing so. I find it hard to pay someone I am working for. ??? Any input for me?
My wife complains until we go out for dinner or on vacations. Then it's the best thing ever
Sean the Shopper
Welcome to the 'club', love2sh0p! 
It can be addicting. My kids love it. Heck, my 14 yr old son turns 15 next week, and I told him he gets a gift at Aeropostale. He chuckled and knew what that meant. My oldest two have seen the value of discounts and how our perks come from mystery shopping. They think it's kind of cool that I'm paid to shop or receive free things which otherwise we would go without. A few shops you might find requires you to bring your daughter along. When she turns 18 she can do the tobacco age-compliance shops and at 21 the alcohol compliance shops.
It can be addicting. My kids love it. Heck, my 14 yr old son turns 15 next week, and I told him he gets a gift at Aeropostale. He chuckled and knew what that meant. My oldest two have seen the value of discounts and how our perks come from mystery shopping. They think it's kind of cool that I'm paid to shop or receive free things which otherwise we would go without. A few shops you might find requires you to bring your daughter along. When she turns 18 she can do the tobacco age-compliance shops and at 21 the alcohol compliance shops.
Sandra Sue,
You mention how your husband is still snoring. rsglenn, you mentioned your husband has had a sleep study, but maybe he needs to be tested again (and quite possibly not). Sandra, though, and anyone else who has a significant other that snores, especially that he has a "startle reflex" leads me to believe he is a prime candidate for a sleep study, and possibly a CPAP machine. I used to snore quite badly (well, at least according to my wife and others, *I* never heard it! :-) I had a sleep study test last year and was put on a CPAP machine. The machine is quite and doesn't bother my wife, I no longer snore, and I'm more awake during the day. Plus I'm at a lower risk of stroke, and my hypertension is much better controlled.
I bring this up to let you both know, and anyone else reading this thread, that if you have someone that snores, especially if they are also tired in the morning, have them checked for sleep apnea. The test is painless and just 1 night, and the machines are WAY better than they used to be. Don't feel bad and no one at home or the fire station notices the noise!
Matt
You mention how your husband is still snoring. rsglenn, you mentioned your husband has had a sleep study, but maybe he needs to be tested again (and quite possibly not). Sandra, though, and anyone else who has a significant other that snores, especially that he has a "startle reflex" leads me to believe he is a prime candidate for a sleep study, and possibly a CPAP machine. I used to snore quite badly (well, at least according to my wife and others, *I* never heard it! :-) I had a sleep study test last year and was put on a CPAP machine. The machine is quite and doesn't bother my wife, I no longer snore, and I'm more awake during the day. Plus I'm at a lower risk of stroke, and my hypertension is much better controlled.
I bring this up to let you both know, and anyone else reading this thread, that if you have someone that snores, especially if they are also tired in the morning, have them checked for sleep apnea. The test is painless and just 1 night, and the machines are WAY better than they used to be. Don't feel bad and no one at home or the fire station notices the noise!
Matt
Mystery Shopping is not a traditional job; therefore, it's difficult for some people to grasp....including husbands! My husband also complained at first, not understanding the true benefits of Mystery Shopping. In any case, no matter what other people think, for me it's a rewarding job. I work part time in a position that does not require any type of clerical, administrative or customer service skills. Mystery Shopping is my saving grace as it enables me to feel professional, effective and productive! I think we are a great team of shoppers! I enjoy reading all of your posts.
My husband totally supports my MSing. However, I don't do it during "family time". No nights or weekends. He always asks when we can go to Twin Peaks again, LOL.
love2sh0p Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I understand what he is saying. I have only done 4
> so far and my 1st was on 11/01/14 so I havent even
> been paid yet. Its fun. It gives me a sense of
> accomplishment. When my daughter asked how much I
> get paid I told her it varies per job, not sure
> yet. I feel blessed that all 4 of the shops I
> have done are just seconds away from my home in a
> city I have lived all of my life. I haven't paid
> the price for the premium membership and the
> better jobs and wonder if it would be worth doing
> so. I find it hard to pay someone I am working
> for. ??? Any input for me?
I haven't seen anyone else reply to you so far love2sh0p so I hope I'm not doing a repeat, I just wanted to comment on what you said about premium membership and finding it hard to pay someone you are working for... You shouldn't have to pay anyone to be a MS. There are some companies that charge to "schedule" you with mystery shops but you can find those on your own for free. In case you haven't seen it, check out the MSPA website for legitimate companies that you sign up for yourself. They post the jobs daily and you choose which ones you want to take. Some of them have auto assign if you want it. Hope I was reading your post right. You can also find legitimate sites at Job Slinger and Volition. You can pay to be Silver or Gold certified through MSPA but you don't have to and I have had no end to the jobs I've been offered without it. It isn't a get rich quick plan by any means but I am averaging 400.00 a month extra money, taking only the jobs I want to take.
Best of luck and if I repeated what someone else has said, please forgive.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I understand what he is saying. I have only done 4
> so far and my 1st was on 11/01/14 so I havent even
> been paid yet. Its fun. It gives me a sense of
> accomplishment. When my daughter asked how much I
> get paid I told her it varies per job, not sure
> yet. I feel blessed that all 4 of the shops I
> have done are just seconds away from my home in a
> city I have lived all of my life. I haven't paid
> the price for the premium membership and the
> better jobs and wonder if it would be worth doing
> so. I find it hard to pay someone I am working
> for. ??? Any input for me?
I haven't seen anyone else reply to you so far love2sh0p so I hope I'm not doing a repeat, I just wanted to comment on what you said about premium membership and finding it hard to pay someone you are working for... You shouldn't have to pay anyone to be a MS. There are some companies that charge to "schedule" you with mystery shops but you can find those on your own for free. In case you haven't seen it, check out the MSPA website for legitimate companies that you sign up for yourself. They post the jobs daily and you choose which ones you want to take. Some of them have auto assign if you want it. Hope I was reading your post right. You can also find legitimate sites at Job Slinger and Volition. You can pay to be Silver or Gold certified through MSPA but you don't have to and I have had no end to the jobs I've been offered without it. It isn't a get rich quick plan by any means but I am averaging 400.00 a month extra money, taking only the jobs I want to take.
Best of luck and if I repeated what someone else has said, please forgive.
treydawgmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sandra Sue,
>
> You mention how your husband is still snoring.
> rsglenn, you mentioned your husband has had a
> sleep study, but maybe he needs to be tested again
> (and quite possibly not). Sandra, though, and
> anyone else who has a significant other that
> snores, especially that he has a "startle reflex"
> leads me to believe he is a prime candidate for a
> sleep study, and possibly a CPAP machine. I used
> to snore quite badly (well, at least according to
> my wife and others, *I* never heard it! :-) I had
> a sleep study test last year and was put on a CPAP
> machine. The machine is quite and doesn't bother
> my wife, I no longer snore, and I'm more awake
> during the day. Plus I'm at a lower risk of
> stroke, and my hypertension is much better
> controlled.
>
> I bring this up to let you both know, and anyone
> else reading this thread, that if you have someone
> that snores, especially if they are also tired in
> the morning, have them checked for sleep apnea.
> The test is painless and just 1 night, and the
> machines are WAY better than they used to be.
> Don't feel bad and no one at home or the fire
> station notices the noise!
>
> Matt
Thank you for the post, Matt. My husband is getting another sleep study in a couple of weeks. He is a pilot and has to have a full physical every year. It is required to have a sleep study done in order to keep his license.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sandra Sue,
>
> You mention how your husband is still snoring.
> rsglenn, you mentioned your husband has had a
> sleep study, but maybe he needs to be tested again
> (and quite possibly not). Sandra, though, and
> anyone else who has a significant other that
> snores, especially that he has a "startle reflex"
> leads me to believe he is a prime candidate for a
> sleep study, and possibly a CPAP machine. I used
> to snore quite badly (well, at least according to
> my wife and others, *I* never heard it! :-) I had
> a sleep study test last year and was put on a CPAP
> machine. The machine is quite and doesn't bother
> my wife, I no longer snore, and I'm more awake
> during the day. Plus I'm at a lower risk of
> stroke, and my hypertension is much better
> controlled.
>
> I bring this up to let you both know, and anyone
> else reading this thread, that if you have someone
> that snores, especially if they are also tired in
> the morning, have them checked for sleep apnea.
> The test is painless and just 1 night, and the
> machines are WAY better than they used to be.
> Don't feel bad and no one at home or the fire
> station notices the noise!
>
> Matt
Thank you for the post, Matt. My husband is getting another sleep study in a couple of weeks. He is a pilot and has to have a full physical every year. It is required to have a sleep study done in order to keep his license.
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
This is not a traditional job for sure. The Conservative minded might take some adjustment to bend the square into a rainbow so to speak. The rewards are the little pots of gold placed about in small quantities to full fill and enjoy.
Life is a Giggle - Embrace every moment
I know many people make way more money than me on this, I only do shops with bonus on Sundays (no traffic) and i'm making 6k a year. The way I see it is that I save on so many things that i don't have to stress about unplanned expenses.
My sister can't afford "fast food" so she loves the pizza and quarter pounder with cheese and fries I bring her. My co-workers call me the pizza fairy since I bring pizza to work so often. I have to start thinking about Christmas presents now when I do shops. It will be nice to get presents for "free". Not that they are really free, I worked hard for them.
love2sh0p: do not pay any MS companies for a premium membership--I can only think of one who even does that, and I rarely do shops for them. In my opinion, it is a worthy investment to get MSPA silver and/or gold certified. I have been MSPA gold certified since 2003, and there are companies who alert their shoppers with MSPA gold first and do not send out invitations to those who are not until much later. It can be the difference of making an extra $400 a month to making double that or even more. There are shoppers who frequent this board who make a good living with mystery shopping. Of course that also depends on whether or not you live in an area with enough work. I live in a city with about 250,000 people in a 20 mile radius, and there also is some competition in my area, so whatever edge I can get I take. I have established a good reputation with schedulers as being reliable and keeping a good quality rating on my reports, which is also helpful, but I know that my MSPA certification has opened some doors for me. There are some people in here who make good money by doing routes and traveling, but that's not my thing. Others do video shopping which is quite lucrative and I may eventually cross that bridge, but right now I am happy with what I am doing. Happy shopping!
JASFLAMT: Thank you so much for your post. I have been MSing off and on for several years. I get caught up with the reports, stewing over the amount of information required and end up stressing over the amount of time I spend on reports. Thus, I decline shops of value due to the excess paperwork. But the information you shared about the certification is valuable. I am Silver Certified, considering going Gold! I would like to be involved in more higher end shops and receive earlier notifications. So if I am reading you correctly, going Gold may well help me accomplish this goal. I too have a good reputation with the schedulers and my ratings are right up there. I love Mystery Shopping! However I live some distance from town and always incur extra travel time and miles. Routes and traveling would be a great source for me...I had to take early retirement and look to MSing for extra income. I live alone with my pup, Sophia. We love to travel and we love to Mystery Shop!
A big "Thank You" to everyone for sharing. It is nice to read your stories.
Like I said in one of my posts, I quit a full-time paralegal position after 30 years of working with attorneys. I was paid very well and received substantial bonuses every year; however, I was burned out, stressed out and depressed. A paycheck and bonus was not worth sacrificing my health over. I starting mystery shopping because I was curious, needed something to do and I wanted to earn some money to support my hobby which is showing my dogs. I didn't feel that it was right for my husband to carry the burden of paying for my hobby. I earn enough to pay show entry fees, gas, food and hotel accommodations.
My husband was on a two-week long business trip when I discovered mystery shopping and I had done about five shops while he was gone. I actually waited another week to break the news to him. He was very skeptical and told me to be careful because he had heard that mystery shopping was a scam. I
Since I quit working, I do not spend as much money on clothe. Also, I am not out the money for eating out every day for lunch, parking at the tune of $240 a month for parking in downtown Seattle, and a housekeeper.
Like I said in one of my posts, I quit a full-time paralegal position after 30 years of working with attorneys. I was paid very well and received substantial bonuses every year; however, I was burned out, stressed out and depressed. A paycheck and bonus was not worth sacrificing my health over. I starting mystery shopping because I was curious, needed something to do and I wanted to earn some money to support my hobby which is showing my dogs. I didn't feel that it was right for my husband to carry the burden of paying for my hobby. I earn enough to pay show entry fees, gas, food and hotel accommodations.
My husband was on a two-week long business trip when I discovered mystery shopping and I had done about five shops while he was gone. I actually waited another week to break the news to him. He was very skeptical and told me to be careful because he had heard that mystery shopping was a scam. I
Since I quit working, I do not spend as much money on clothe. Also, I am not out the money for eating out every day for lunch, parking at the tune of $240 a month for parking in downtown Seattle, and a housekeeper.
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
A big "Thank You" to everyone for sharing. It is fun reading your stories.
Like I said in one of my posts, I quit a full-time paralegal position after 30 years of working with attorneys. I was paid very well and received substantial bonuses every year; however, I was burned out, stressed out and depressed - I was not happy and dreaded going to work every day. A paycheck and bonus was not worth sacrificing my health over and my sanity. I starting mystery shopping because I was curious, needed something to do and I wanted to earn some money to support my hobby which is showing my dogs. I didn't feel that it was right for my husband to carry the burden of paying for my hobby. I earn enough to pay show entry fees, gas, food and hotel accommodations. Since I quit working, I do not spend as much money on clothes. Also, I am not out the money for eating out every day for lunch, parking in downtown Seattle at the tune of $240 per month, and paying for dinner at least twice a week because I was too tired to cook when I got home. Also, I do not pay for a housekeeper and gardener anymore.
My husband was on a two-week long business trip when I discovered mystery shopping. I had done about five shops while he was gone. I actually waited another week to break the news to him. He was very skeptical and told me to be careful because he had heard that mystery shopping was a scam - he has since changed his mind and supports me wholeheartedly. I love mystery shopping and I am grateful that my husband supported my decision to quit my job.
Like I said in one of my posts, I quit a full-time paralegal position after 30 years of working with attorneys. I was paid very well and received substantial bonuses every year; however, I was burned out, stressed out and depressed - I was not happy and dreaded going to work every day. A paycheck and bonus was not worth sacrificing my health over and my sanity. I starting mystery shopping because I was curious, needed something to do and I wanted to earn some money to support my hobby which is showing my dogs. I didn't feel that it was right for my husband to carry the burden of paying for my hobby. I earn enough to pay show entry fees, gas, food and hotel accommodations. Since I quit working, I do not spend as much money on clothes. Also, I am not out the money for eating out every day for lunch, parking in downtown Seattle at the tune of $240 per month, and paying for dinner at least twice a week because I was too tired to cook when I got home. Also, I do not pay for a housekeeper and gardener anymore.
My husband was on a two-week long business trip when I discovered mystery shopping. I had done about five shops while he was gone. I actually waited another week to break the news to him. He was very skeptical and told me to be careful because he had heard that mystery shopping was a scam - he has since changed his mind and supports me wholeheartedly. I love mystery shopping and I am grateful that my husband supported my decision to quit my job.
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
Hi Cupcakes { a.k.a. cupcake grandma} I really liked your post. We have to enjoy what we do in life. I would give anything to have more family members to spend time with. Besides mystery shopping, I do merchandising for two companies and have to travel out of my area for work. I listen to Audio books from the library. They are great company and I enjoy them. I live in the Natural state -Arkansas and the drive is beautiful. One definately needs to look at all the benefits and most of all do what makes you the happiest.
Mystery Shopping is a great opportunity, my spouse loves for me to do it and I even had him doing it lol. He likes it and wishes he still could.
Is the house cleaning/maid service a tax deduction also?
OhioSerendipity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When I first started MS my husband thought it was
> a scam. After a year of him just doubting
> everything he changed his mind. When he saw he had
> not paid for an oil change for both cars that
> year. I was able to buy him clothes that gave a
> nice discount with the reimbursement. We have not
> paid for a hair cut, most of my gas, most of my
> groceries, luxuries like jewelry, fine dining,
> casual dining and vacations were all paid for my
> MS. Then the cream was the tax deductions for
> every mile I drive, for every office supply I buy,
> for the internet service, for my office space and
> so on… It's mostly all tax free when we file
> jointly. This had been a life saver for me. I get
> to stay home with my son, make enough money to buy
> myself luxuries and have a house cleaner come
> every two weeks. If anyones spouse does not
> support MS they need to see it on paper how it
> helps a family. Kudos to all of us for having the
> foresight to carry on in the MS world. I LOVE MY
> JOB!
OhioSerendipity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When I first started MS my husband thought it was
> a scam. After a year of him just doubting
> everything he changed his mind. When he saw he had
> not paid for an oil change for both cars that
> year. I was able to buy him clothes that gave a
> nice discount with the reimbursement. We have not
> paid for a hair cut, most of my gas, most of my
> groceries, luxuries like jewelry, fine dining,
> casual dining and vacations were all paid for my
> MS. Then the cream was the tax deductions for
> every mile I drive, for every office supply I buy,
> for the internet service, for my office space and
> so on… It's mostly all tax free when we file
> jointly. This had been a life saver for me. I get
> to stay home with my son, make enough money to buy
> myself luxuries and have a house cleaner come
> every two weeks. If anyones spouse does not
> support MS they need to see it on paper how it
> helps a family. Kudos to all of us for having the
> foresight to carry on in the MS world. I LOVE MY
> JOB!
To Sandra Sue: I am really interested in the earplugs you referenced. Not just for the snoring, but also for the constant lawn machine noise and (bloodcurdling) screaming children in a church school in direct line of every window of my home (they honest to God, are TAUGHT they MUST scream (this is not kids playing- it's shrieking) while outside, and since they are a church, the administration answers only to their own rules- the noise ordinance doesn't think that screaming is a noise, or that the deliberate instruction of organized screaming is a disturbance of the peace) They are the reason I started MSing in the first place, after trying desperately to work from home... Anyway, using Mack plugs , which are the best so far, except they tug at the inner ear and it's screwed up my equilibrium.Wherever you found the custom ones, I will be contacting them as soon as you can tell me who the vendor is!!
About snoring- my husband had (has) sleep apnea, that crescendo- building, house -blowing snoring that stops his breathing when the crescendo peaks. Dangerous stuff. I would be up all night anticipating the episode in fear . He's had three surgeries and lost 50 lbs., used the CPAP breathing machine, which I loved-white noise- but cut a scar into his nose. He is still snoring. I have to poke him to roll onto his side so I can get a few hours sleep. Just mentioning that it is potentially life-threatening to the snorer, as well as the spouse who gets no sleep, and should definitely be checked and diagnosed.
BTW, although I've cut down on the number and companies I MS for, (new business we are both running) I still do groceries/ theatre, him too- we realized this year that in spite of the start-up and shoestring budget, we were able to take our usual fall vacation to New England with MS money!!
About snoring- my husband had (has) sleep apnea, that crescendo- building, house -blowing snoring that stops his breathing when the crescendo peaks. Dangerous stuff. I would be up all night anticipating the episode in fear . He's had three surgeries and lost 50 lbs., used the CPAP breathing machine, which I loved-white noise- but cut a scar into his nose. He is still snoring. I have to poke him to roll onto his side so I can get a few hours sleep. Just mentioning that it is potentially life-threatening to the snorer, as well as the spouse who gets no sleep, and should definitely be checked and diagnosed.
BTW, although I've cut down on the number and companies I MS for, (new business we are both running) I still do groceries/ theatre, him too- we realized this year that in spite of the start-up and shoestring budget, we were able to take our usual fall vacation to New England with MS money!!
triciabb,
"To Sandra Sue: I am really interested in the earplugs you referenced"
If you visit an audiologist, they will make impressions of your ear and they can send them to an Earmold manufacturer. I worked for one, Westone, for 16 years before they closed our location. Ask what the NRR (noise reduction rating) is for any ear plugs. While over the counter plugs are generally around 27-32 NRR, some custom plugs can go as high as 40 NRR. Also, molds made just for your ears will be more comfortable than over the counter products.
"To Sandra Sue: I am really interested in the earplugs you referenced"
If you visit an audiologist, they will make impressions of your ear and they can send them to an Earmold manufacturer. I worked for one, Westone, for 16 years before they closed our location. Ask what the NRR (noise reduction rating) is for any ear plugs. While over the counter plugs are generally around 27-32 NRR, some custom plugs can go as high as 40 NRR. Also, molds made just for your ears will be more comfortable than over the counter products.
nrogers4 Wrote:
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> Hi Cupcakes { a.k.a. cupcake grandma} I really
> liked your post. We have to enjoy what we do in
> life. I would give anything to have more family
> members to spend time with. Besides mystery
> shopping, I do merchandising for two companies
> and have to travel out of my area for work. I
> listen to Audio books from the library. They are
> great company and I enjoy them. I live in the
> Natural state -Arkansas and the drive is
> beautiful. One definately needs to look at all the
> benefits and most of all do what makes you the
> happiest.
nrogers4,
I was born in Batesville and I have a lot of family that live there. My uncle is flying out of Little Rock this coming Monday for a visit. I am planning a trip back there this coming spring. I am really looking forward to seeing family that I have not seen in a long, long time.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi Cupcakes { a.k.a. cupcake grandma} I really
> liked your post. We have to enjoy what we do in
> life. I would give anything to have more family
> members to spend time with. Besides mystery
> shopping, I do merchandising for two companies
> and have to travel out of my area for work. I
> listen to Audio books from the library. They are
> great company and I enjoy them. I live in the
> Natural state -Arkansas and the drive is
> beautiful. One definately needs to look at all the
> benefits and most of all do what makes you the
> happiest.
nrogers4,
I was born in Batesville and I have a lot of family that live there. My uncle is flying out of Little Rock this coming Monday for a visit. I am planning a trip back there this coming spring. I am really looking forward to seeing family that I have not seen in a long, long time.
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What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
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Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
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What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. -Henry David Thoreau
**********************************
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. -Frank Clark
**********************************
The company my husband gets his products from is www.earinc.com. Ask for the nearest provider. The earplugs are safe. They are molded to your ear using appropriate safety features. You hear by bone conduction. My husband says there is one thing you don't want to do when wearing the earplugs: eat chips. Ha, just wait til you hear them! They are good for people who have swimmer's ear. You can sleep in them. My husband has done that for years. For the past couple of years, he has gotten a contract with a unit of motorcycle police to make all their earplugs. Children's ears grow, so theirs will have to be replaced. In midlife, people's ears change slightly, so another fitting may be necessary. These things last a long time. Some people get a backup set, for example, for the projects in the garage. People mowing lawns, working with loud equipment or going hunting wear them. He started making them for other people because our son, who has very sensitive ears, needed them just to ride in the car with the windows down or listen to music in church. The unused supplies have a shelf life, so, to make sure that our son always had earplugs as he grew, he kept product around and sold earplugs to other people. He considers this his mission now.
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