Do you count reimbursements as a personal profit.

For me, I think it breaks down to a need versus a want. If I can do a grocery store shop, I'll count that in my income category (for personal, nor for tax purposes, etc.). In that instance, it's something I would buy anyway and I don't have to earn money that is then taxed to get it. So, instead of earning $125 paying taxes and maybe being able to get $100 worth of groceries, I can just get groceries as a reimbursement. I also feel like that about drug store shops. If I needed razor blades or shower gel, etc. then it's a win not to buy it. It gets a little more conplicated when I wouldn't pay as much for it as I have to pay at a store. I supposed the difference then is the pay, if there is any.

I don't count fancier meals as pay. I wouldn't necessarily pay for this, at least not regularly so it's kind of a little bonus. I don't really consider it to be pay because it's more of a want than a need. Most of the fine dining shops I've done have been a gigantic pain too so what was really thrilling initially has become more trouble than it's worth most of the time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2022 05:49PM by olympia tennenbaum.

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More About Reimbursements

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

@Tarantado wrote:

For example, if I wanted that nice hotel shop out of Hawaii with rental car, flight, etc. as a shop, I wouldn’t mind burning the amount of hours of my time to get it done instead of paying out of pocket the amount to do it without working for it.

Does such a thing actually exist?

Yes. It’s not as glamorous as it sounds lol. Imagine your head deep into report after report after report.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

No.

There was one shop I did often when I was back in Houston for a local pizza joint. The pizza was horrific. Truly bad pizza. The wings were smaller than McNuggets but were seasoned beautifully. Most often, after taking the pictures of the pizza and wings, I would give them to a homeless guy who was at the intersection. He took the bullet for me!

Just be cool folks.

@sandyf wrote:

I believe a major dividing line is between those of us who shop to earn a living or add to our income and those of us who mainly shop for reimbursements.

I absolutely agree with this sentence! This business is rather unique in that it allows many to do it for fun without a care whether they make money for their labor.

I do some shops because I have nothing else to do. I could sit at home making nothing or go out and make $10 for a shop.

@johnb974 wrote:

I do some shops because I have nothing else to do. I could sit at home making nothing or go out and make $10 for a shop.

(Envious) There are many days when I wish I could say, "I have nothing else to do."

If what I am buying that gets reimbursed is something I was going to get anyways, then yes I count it has money earned for myself, obviously not money earned when it comes to taxes. I am a smoker and I haven't bought a pack of cigarettes in the last 2 months that I didn't get reimbursed. All of my household necessities are reimbursed, laundry wash, cleaners, toilet paper, diapers, etc. All but about $40 in gas has been reimbursed for me within the last month (and I drive a lot, daily). Lol.
If it's reimbursement from a restaurant or a mini golf, etc, no I don't count that because it isn't a necessity to my life.

Kimberly Wilson

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Do you count reimbursements as a personal profit.

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