Surely someone has written an app that encompasses all MS needs?

I am brand new and a bit overwhelmed with all the companies, requirements, pay schedules, methods of payment, etc. I have searched through the discussions and i see overwhelmingly that Excel is the program of choice? I do love excel.. but NO ONE has written or found an app out there that will service these particular needs yet? Blows my mind! If I have missed something, would ya'll be so kind as so fill me in.. i have searched pretty thoroughly. Thanks!!

H. Jeanene Cady

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Hi! Welcome! Happy Holidays, too, if this is appropriate for you.

I am not certain of the question. Many shoppers use Excel to track completion dates, payment dates, MSCs, job locations, mileage, etc. This information reflects each shoppers' usage of the information that is contained in their contracts with each MSC and shopper logs. It provides documentation for IRS or whatever applies where they live. Are you hoping for an app that permits you to perform the same functions on your synced or independent phone?

Each client and MSC develop unique contracts, and these may change over time or end altogether. Would the unique features make one centralizing app too large, or unwieldy? Or, would it streamline shoppers' tasks of enrolling, reading contracts, scheduling, negotiating, and bookkeeping? Is this the central part of the question?

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu

Wow.

I would suggest signing up with ONE company and completing ONE shop.

This should ease your over-whelmingness.

Master that particular type of shop, then add another company, and a different type of shop.

Some companies already have their own app; there are also independent apps, too.

You will not find a single app that does everything - there is simply too wide of a variety of shops, companies, shoppers, etc. Excel is popular as most folks know how to use its basic features already and can easily create lines and columns with their desired information. It sorts and re-orders as desired. It adds funds and subtracts expenses. Etc.

There is a huge world of shopping. Since you know Excel already, use it - this will keep stress down. The, as suggested above, pick up a single shop and see how it works. Adjust as needed and pick up more. Etc. You'll find that, once you have done a bunch of different shops, they are all largely the same: Show up at specified time. Ask some specific questions. Time whatever you must. Buy (or not) an item. Acquire proofs of visit. Write up report.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

What I need to keep track of is different from what you may need and different from every other shopper. Although there may be common items such as shop date, fees, etc, how I keep track of it works best for me. There will never be a single app that combines every possible feature shoppers might use. You just determine what you need and what methods work best for you and your business, then make adjustments over time. My “needs” have changed significantly over the lest ten years or so from what I thought I needed.

My spouse designed a database that keeps track of everything I need. It's not worth the work to make it user-friendly enough to share with others.

None of the apps that are out there will work for me. Seeing as how I can make the buffalo on a nickel scream. I use a free OS along with other free programs. I finally got tired of all of the questions that M$ had for Win 10 and I went the free route.

My Excel workbooks are customized for my use. My summary worksheet is composed of mileage and fee total links from the individual MSC worksheets. The MSC worksheets have all the details of the shops, including when I get paid and how much. Tax Dude gets the summary sheet.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

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Surely someone has written an app that encompasses all MS needs?

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