Lifestyle-enhancing shops (besides restaurants)?
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Hotels occasionally. A few years back I did some massage shops.
Museums, hotels, valet parking (go into the city for shopping/ dinner/ sightseeing much more often since I dont have to pay for parking, amusement parks, kids 'live on stage' shows like Disney, Paw Patrol, Seasame Street......
My 'lifestyle' includes 5 kids..... one day I'll be able to enhance my OWN lifestyle.
My 'lifestyle' includes 5 kids..... one day I'll be able to enhance my OWN lifestyle.
I love the post office shops as I can enhance the lifestyle of my family. I send frequent "care packages" to both my kids who live across the country not only at no cost to me but I get paid as well. Too bad they are limited to 2 lbs now as they used to be 5# boxes. I did the circus a few years back and liked that. And those $300 clothing reimbursement shops enhanced my wardrobe with some fine clothing.
I used to enjoy doing a hotel,especially when visiting my daughter in Chicago. I'd stay at the airport location and she visits and spends the night, a minnie vacation for both of us. Then I'd get a great restaurant, made me happy to be able to do that for us. I also enjoyed my cosmetics jobs getting a make over and free samples...they're gone for years. Nowadays it's restaurants, I do only what I love and know has great food since it's basically reimburesment with a small fee, I'd better like it or why bother. I've done a few Museums which I enjoyed.
I try and balance it out, a dealership (ugh) then a great lunch/dinner. I do miss my Chanel shops, cosmetics, and then upstairs to couture clothing, same store, fun for me......things have changed.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2017 05:20AM by Irene_L.A..
I try and balance it out, a dealership (ugh) then a great lunch/dinner. I do miss my Chanel shops, cosmetics, and then upstairs to couture clothing, same store, fun for me......things have changed.
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2017 05:20AM by Irene_L.A..
Not everyone's idea of a fun lifestyle is sitting on a bus, but I love that I can get from my city to several nearby major cities for free just about as often as I want. My friends in those cities are seeing me a lot more these days! (And of course I can treat them to a mystery shopped meal.)
@sandyf wrote:
I love the post office shops as I can enhance the lifestyle of my family. I send frequent "care packages" to both my kids who live across the country not only at no cost to me but I get paid as well. Too bad they are limited to 2 lbs now as they used to be 5# boxes.
You can still go over 2 pounds without going over reimbursement if you aren't mailing too far away.
I go over within 2 lbs!!
I no longer have a like button. I was planning on liking the above posts...anyone know how to restore it. I only have reply, quote, ! (report) and a thumbs down which I found is also report.
I no longer have a like button. I was planning on liking the above posts...anyone know how to restore it. I only have reply, quote, ! (report) and a thumbs down which I found is also report.
There are so many options for lifestyle shops outside of hotels and restaurants (and bars). I've gone wine tasting, bowling, movies, day spas, amusement parks, wax museum, botanical gardens, vet clinics, oil changes, carpet cleaning, etc. I once had my car paint retouched!
Candle stores. Chocolate shops (it's a food group for real). A local faux-Mex place (does its own MS). Dry cleaners. Movie theater concessions. Retailers for stocking stuffers.
Wrong thread....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2017 07:22PM by Irene_L.A..
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2017 07:22PM by Irene_L.A..
Irene, you have me confused with someone else, or perhaps a combination of others.
There's an upscale candy store with a generous reimbursement that I take because it carries a specialty candy that one of the kidlets loves. I score major points when I bring it home.
"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
"Lifestyle enhancing"?
I would suggest that the best "lifestyle enhancing" shops are the ones that pay you the best. Take the money and enjoy some time out, without having to worry about timings, specific interactions, reports, etc.
I would suggest that the best "lifestyle enhancing" shops are the ones that pay you the best. Take the money and enjoy some time out, without having to worry about timings, specific interactions, reports, etc.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
That depends... how little I mean much time do I have? How close is a shop to a fave personal place? Is the shop conveniently located along a major highway and with quick access to acceptable restrooms that I do not have to evaluate? Are the portions generous and worthy of being taken home and enjoyed as leftovers? Can I get good art supplies there? Well, no dat. While I am still practicing my painting, I must do all kinds of shops and save money that will pay for more art supplies. In a perfect world, I would produce something saleable and the art would pay for itself.
If someone were willing to collaborate with me on art supplies shops, I might make a little money indirectly from the concept of art.
If someone were willing to collaborate with me on art supplies shops, I might make a little money indirectly from the concept of art.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
I've gotten a few blowout services, and last month did a $250 hair color job (didn't even include the cut!) at a fancy salon. Both of those made me feel like a million bucks. Hotels are a ton of work but I couldn't otherwise afford spa treatments for myself, so that feels like a nice reward. As does ordering room service and eating in my pajamas.
I haven't done them but I've seen pro baseball and football games, and one MSC in my area has a few menu shops at an arena with some big concerts.
I haven't done them but I've seen pro baseball and football games, and one MSC in my area has a few menu shops at an arena with some big concerts.
Hair color, hair cuts and blow outs, site seeing (bus tours, landmarks, tourist sites in your area that you do with out of town friends and family), beautifying i.e. waxing and eyelashes, retail. I do agree with the option to spend, enjoy and not have to worry about observations and reports. You are worth it!
Do you do Etsy? I've bought a few original pieces there, ones that I genuinely love.@Shop-et-al wrote:
If someone were willing to collaborate with me on art supplies shops, I might make a little money indirectly from the concept of art.
btw, love your tagline.
"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
@MFJohnston wrote:
I would suggest that the best "lifestyle enhancing" shops are the ones that pay you the best. Take the money and enjoy some time out, without having to worry about timings, specific interactions, reports, etc.
I think you are missing the point of the lifestyle assignments. I regularly take hotel assignments that include food, bar, spa and run around $2,000 in reimbursements, plus travel expenses, for a place I want to visit. In exchange for those timings, interaction and a day of work on the report, I get the experience.
If I had to produce $2,500 of income from shopping to have that same weekend away, it would negatively impact my lifestyle....
I'm going to make the observations if I'm on assignment or not, out of habit, and I never write reports when I'm on assignment (I do it after I'm home), so I see it more like getting $2,500 for one day of work!
Having my house cleaned has been my best life-enhancing shop so far.
Susie shopping the Columbus Ohio area and outlying communities.
I've tried on diamond rings, evaluated luxury car sales, checked out high-end appliances and pretended to buy expensive furniture. Kind of fun! The only one of those that made me feel the price tag was even somewhat worth it was the appliance shop. It made me want a better oven, but people have to be literally insane to pay thousands for a dishwasher that lights up inside. No one needs bright lighting IN a dishwasher!!!! So those enhanced my life by showing me enh, that stuff isn't so great.
Probably the most significant lifestyle enhancement is the discovery of really, really good taco shops.
Probably the most significant lifestyle enhancement is the discovery of really, really good taco shops.
So this is an indirect answer to your question..I found Aveda through mystery shopping and after many, many years on this earth I finally have tamed my curly, dry, fly away, generally untame hair. I cannot find the shops anymore but found the Aveda Institute through finding Aveda and in November when they had their fundraising day I purchased a $5 raffle in addition to the donation I made and won a year of free haircuts. I just got back from a wonderful free haircut with a junior student that included a free mini facial. And I have 6 or 7 of those to look forward to this year all thanks to mystery shopping.
Restaurants (again), a fine dining establishment, drink, dine and enjoy adds to my lifestyle immensely.
Had I needed to wait, save my money, I probably would buy something for the house, or send a nice gift to my daughter, this way I do it for myself, enhancing my lifestyle, why I do this in the first place...I agree with Steve, disagree with MFJohnston. I also do it for the feeling I get of servicing a business and feeling productive
at my ripe ole age...definitely a good thing.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2017 09:41PM by Irene_L.A..
Had I needed to wait, save my money, I probably would buy something for the house, or send a nice gift to my daughter, this way I do it for myself, enhancing my lifestyle, why I do this in the first place...I agree with Steve, disagree with MFJohnston. I also do it for the feeling I get of servicing a business and feeling productive
at my ripe ole age...definitely a good thing.
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2017 09:41PM by Irene_L.A..
@SteveSoCal
I don't miss the point at all.
What you describe sounds miserable to me. If I want to go somewhere, I'm not going to be hanging at the spa, bar or hotel restaurant. I'm up early and out the door until I'm ready to come back. I am going to visit what I want to visit when I want to visit. Etc. The idea of having to do various "things" as a part of my stay for the purpose of the assignments just would not feel like a vacation to me. After spending a day after the fact writing up the report, I would feel like it was anything but a "lifestyle enhancement." That, of course, is just me.
I am spending most of this week shopping hard. (I am off my regular job). I anticipate earning somewhere between $1500 and $2000 for my efforts. I can then take that money and put it towards whatever "enhancement" I want - without having to write a report afterwords or fulfilling an obligation. This "enhancement" just might turn into a kitchen remodel or a wonderful anniversary trip with my wife.
The point is, we all have different ideas of what improves our lives. I simply shared my way of thinking. I am certain that I'm not the only one who thinks like this, just as I am certain that there are others who would really enjoy what you shared.
I don't miss the point at all.
What you describe sounds miserable to me. If I want to go somewhere, I'm not going to be hanging at the spa, bar or hotel restaurant. I'm up early and out the door until I'm ready to come back. I am going to visit what I want to visit when I want to visit. Etc. The idea of having to do various "things" as a part of my stay for the purpose of the assignments just would not feel like a vacation to me. After spending a day after the fact writing up the report, I would feel like it was anything but a "lifestyle enhancement." That, of course, is just me.
I am spending most of this week shopping hard. (I am off my regular job). I anticipate earning somewhere between $1500 and $2000 for my efforts. I can then take that money and put it towards whatever "enhancement" I want - without having to write a report afterwords or fulfilling an obligation. This "enhancement" just might turn into a kitchen remodel or a wonderful anniversary trip with my wife.
The point is, we all have different ideas of what improves our lives. I simply shared my way of thinking. I am certain that I'm not the only one who thinks like this, just as I am certain that there are others who would really enjoy what you shared.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Your still working, I personally am retired and spending $50+ for a dinner isn't in my bank account. We were speaking of Lifestyle upgrades. I've taken many fabulous vacations in my life, pre-shopping, been to Europe, my daughter lived in London, we traveled all over, many trips over the years, now (for me), Mystery shopping gives me a better lifestyle. Staying in a nice hotel using spa, swim, sit in lobby, people watch and typing report slowly, not a biggie. Did a wonderful Timeshare in Vegas for a week with a days work and received $150.00 for meals (just because). I only do what I enjoy. We all have different views on our lifestyle. I personally feel better when being productive and balancing fun and work. I'm with Steve, let them pay i will do the work, however if I were married, I'd rather spend time with hubby, but being alone. I prefer doing report in exchange for the fun. Not talking about personal vacations., but what MSing brings to your lifestyle.
edited to add and remove.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2017 12:12AM by Irene_L.A..
edited to add and remove.
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2017 12:12AM by Irene_L.A..
I'm somewhere in the middle on that. A hotel shop is work, but enjoyable work that enhances my lifestyle. OTOH, right now I am at the end of a really nice non-working vacation where I used the money from shops and such to pay for it. I like it both ways, but it was great to hang out and do nothing by the pool and enjoy the other amenities of the resort without having to pay attention to anything or anyone but my husband.
IMO, MFJohnston was talking about lifestyle enhancements and the fact he is still working a full-time job doesn't matter. He simply goes about it in a different manner. My attitude is the same. Others can have all the spa and restaurant shops. I prefer to take a few extra shops then use the money for dinner or a vacation without writing a report after.
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.
@iShop123 wrote:
Do you do Etsy? I've bought a few original pieces there, ones that I genuinely love.@Shop-et-al wrote:
If someone were willing to collaborate with me on art supplies shops, I might make a little money indirectly from the concept of art.
btw, love your tagline.
No. No etsy for me. I have nothing that is saleable. I have framed a few pieces that I personally like, but my work is not ready for showings or price tags. Maybe someday...
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
I have had opportunities but never applied for hotel/vacation shops. Although I love, love our fine dining shops, I kind of get annoyed while he sleeps and I am up in the wee hours writing the report. I
do not want to be the one making observations and fretting while everyone is having a great time while on a vacation/hotel visit. It may be worth it down the road when I can get everyone's schedule together and my youngest daughter's help. She is the BEST!!!!
do not want to be the one making observations and fretting while everyone is having a great time while on a vacation/hotel visit. It may be worth it down the road when I can get everyone's schedule together and my youngest daughter's help. She is the BEST!!!!
@MFJohnston wrote:
What you describe sounds miserable to me. If I want to go somewhere, I'm not going to be hanging at the spa, bar or hotel restaurant. I'm up early and out the door until I'm ready to come back. I am going to visit what I want to visit when I want to visit. Etc. The idea of having to do various "things" as a part of my stay for the purpose of the assignments just would not feel like a vacation to me. After spending a day after the fact writing up the report, I would feel like it was anything but a "lifestyle enhancement." That, of course, is just me.
I'm with you!
One of the reasons I have no desire to go on a cruise. I want to go do things. Visit national parks and zoos and museums and concerts and that kind of thing. Sitting around at the pool or the beach bores me to tears.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
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