Hi, phms199, welcome to the forum. You sound like a think-er and a do-er, and based on that, I'm predicting MSing success for you.
You are right: all of us are in it for different reasons. Some of us want the money and some of us prefer the freebies, and some want both. We like different companies and we like different types of shops. Some work at MSing full time and others part time. I work full time at my day time and MS a little on the side, and, while I want to make a little extra money for my time (I don't work free!), I'm more interested in the tax-free reimbursed items, like a great fine dining for the family.
As to why we are here rather than out making money, there are lots of different reasons for that, too. I suspect many of the newer shoppers are here to learn. In 2008 when I started, I was here to learn - and, believe me, I learned a lot, and I owe a great debt of gratitude to the old-timers like Mert, Flash, walesmaven, and others who "mentored" me with their posts and their responses to my questions and the questions of others. I suspect that many of the old-timers (after more than 5 years, I'm now an old-timer) are here because they want to "give back" and "pay it forward" etc. etc. .... in short, we want to help newer shoppers learn the ropes. I now spend most of my time on the forum answering questions about how-to and why-does, although I don't answer who-shops-XXX because I respect the confidentiality agreement that I was required to sign with most of the 150+ companies I'm signed up with. And - although I'm an "old-timer MS-er" - I still learn something here pretty often!
In addition, MSing is a solitary job. Many of us miss the camaraderie of meeting our co-workers at the water cooler or in the employee breakroom. For some of us, this forum is the equivalent of an employee breakroom, a chance to visit with others who do the same job we do and speak the same (MS) shorthand we speak. How long posters stay and what they want from the forum also varies. Some posters come in and post once and are gone. Others start strong and suddenly lose interest, whether it is MSing they have lost interest in or whether it is that they have tired of the forum. Who knows. Some of us seem to stay around. I like it. I find it relaxing. While, yes, I could be out making more money, there's a limit to how much I want to work. And - I've made some wonderful, close friends on the forum - many live half a world away, but we can reach out and touch though forum posts, PMs, and e-mail.....and if I visit their area or they visit mine ...... we can do an MS job together ......OR - here's a big jump - we could even share a meal and PAY for it. Happy shopping, everybody!