New Year Resolution

I'm going through a hellacious divorce (a year and a half with no end in sight) and I was a stay at home mom but I plan to make a resolution to do $1000/month in mystery shopping to supplement my income starting in January. I'm in Chicago proper and I've had minor success without even trying thusfar (maybe $300/month). I want to try and get to $1000 not including reimbursements or meals - pure cash.

Biggest problem is that there are a LOT of shoppers here and I rarely get bonuses shops.

Let's go 2018!!!

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I think the biggest thing I can do as a single mom that mystery shopping can help with is finding gas, grocery, etc shops that help pay for the household. Any other tips and tricks out there for this newly single mama?

For groceries, if you haven't already done so, sign up with The Source, Market Force, Confero, Second To None and Strategic Reflections, to start. They may not all have grocery shops in your area, but since they do in mine (Southeast), I know of those. Maybe they will have some grocery shops in your area. Good luck!

Any shops you can do with the kids would be great, right. I think the bank, apartment and any shops that pay pure cash would be great, depending on your tax situation. Remember to do something just for yourself! Something single parents forget about too easily!

I will share my resolution, related to MS.

Create a plan of action, a business plan. Define your core objectives, short, medium and long term. Include assessing time management as well as return on investment of resources. Be open minded about investigating and exploring opportunities.

For me: I need to determine if it is better to spend extra hours on my full time (commissionable) job versus the resources currently expended towards the MS related opportunities I am comfortable performing. To also be open to just relaxing on my days and time off if working more affects my health negatively.

OP, be open to finding part time work that fits your needs. It's easier to make $250 a week part time. Then if you can still manage $300 a month from MSing you are ahead of your objectives.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

I practically eat from my Trend Source grocery shops doing three a weekend....don't listen to the negative reports here, it does add up, and you can bring your kids. Food is a great help for a report. Cosmetic shops pay fairly well and I know you have many upscale stores, so sign with Albatross. Banks are good, sign with Informa....hope this helps....try not to do reimbursement shops (except for food or oil changes).

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2017 04:22PM by Irene_L.A..

I have a full time/part time job as a real estate agent, but this time of year it is pretty slow. It’s a non traditional set up so I make money doing real estate based on how much I work. Once that picks up then I’ll be making more but I can still do MS in between showings, closings etc during the day while I’m out. (I’m also an actress, but that’s really hit or miss lol. But I need open flexibility for auditions all week long so MSing is convenient to fill in gaps during the day).

My goal is to try and make $1000 MSing on top of what I bring in through my other job(s).

shayness,
Parking shops that pay a fee and reimburse for as long as you want to park (but not over night) and allow you to bring the lids along could be a good way to either take them to a museum or movie, or to build a small route of bank and other shops within easy walking distance of the parking job.

I am NOT a scheduler, but I do recruit for a couple of less well known MSCs and would inquire about their needs in your area if this would interest you.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

If you spend a little time at KrogerKrazy.com and find out which company shops them (by signing up with as many as possible, or by searching "grocery" to narrow it down), you can do okay on food. If a child is old enough, they can do the coupon matching. Most of it is reimbursement, which helps tax-wise.

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams

Chicago has different grocery stores than we do so i don't know if it's Krogers, maybe not. My daughter lives in Chicago (W.Loop) and has a Whole Foods close by, might be a bit pricey for a growing family. I'd like to know if Target is shopped, they now have groceries.

Live consciously....

I’d love Target shops! I only see credit card shops.
We primarily have Jewel, Mariano’s and Whole Foods. No Kroger...but they may own Mariano’s now, not sure.

I’d love that!! Thank you.

@walesmaven wrote:

shayness,
Parking shops that pay a fee and reimburse for as long as you want to park (but not over night) and allow you to bring the lids along could be a good way to either take them to a museum or movie, or to build a small route of bank and other shops within easy walking distance of the parking job.

I am NOT a scheduler, but I do recruit for a couple of less well known MSCs and would inquire about their needs in your area if this would interest you.

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