I finally got some convenience shops in my area. The ones that pay $7.50 plus a $1.50 reimbursement. I just want to say, they were easy to do but OMG! You can't find anything for $1.50. Candy bars are $3.00 with tax. A tiny bag of fritos was 2.69.plus tax. The hot foods were too nasty to even consider eating.

planters peanuts in the tube for $,69 or $.79..depending on location

My suggestion would be tube peanut, Arizona ice tea and/or smallest bottle of water. Once in a while some c-stote may have clearance section with choice of candies at $1 as well

I guess that Arizona tea price is under pressure. Earlier, read this:

(NEXSTAR) – Tall cans of AriZona iced tea have been sitting in refrigerated cases of gas stations and convenience stores since 1997, proudly emblazoned with their 99-cent price tag. The cans may soon need a redesign to reflect a new price, the company’s founder fears.

The 99-cent price, which has been a constant through economic ups and downs of the past 28 years, may no longer be tenable now that a 50% tariff on imported aluminum has taken effect, said AriZona’s founder Don Vultaggio.

“We’re holding the line for now despite rising aluminum costs,” Vultaggio said. “It’s particularly unfair—80% of our can sheet metal comes from recycled U.S. beverage cans, yet 100% of our aluminum is subject to tariffs".

I know we've discussed this a million times before here, but I don't know how I could make a $7.50 shop work for me, in my area....I guess they are quick to do once in the store, but there's still a report that has to be done...and the stores would have to be a route of stores close together, even better if I could walk and at least get the exercise, instead of burning fuel and the wear and tear on the automobile.....unless a store was right where I happened to be going anyway for other errands.

I know, each situation is different....I am just trying to get my head around it in 2025, given everything.

Many c-stores have Kleenex pocket packs for 49 cents. Some still have Rice Krispie treats, etc. for under $1.50. Many still have crackers for .99, but some high priced chains charge $1.50 just for crackers.

...or just don't take the shops where there's no ROI (Return On Investment).

Bliss, concerning working for a pittance, comments--I am just trying to get my head around it in 2025, given everything.

Bob opines--You are wasting your time. As it seems that most MSCs are employing the Arab:camel business model, their shoppers will only be offered the minimum. Although inflation continues to nibble at fees, most I see are below, or at best, the level of yrs. in the past. The only reason I am able to understand folks working for what is offered in today's climate, is absolute need. This is where anything that produces a net, is superior to nothing and little to no value is placed upon either time or talent.

Those particular convenience stores don't have the usual suspects like the peanuts, but usually do have cheap fruit, and often run $1 special on pastries or other items near the register.

Any hint on which convenience store this is? I don't recognize this shop by the fee and reimbursement listed

7/11

I was able to find a candy bar for two dollars that was marked down. It was still in date, but I guess it’s one that they’re not gonna carry. Yeah those places are so expensive.

For the record, I signed up for these as I have never done them before and I have seen so many on here posting about their route shops. I am retired so any money is plus money for me. I netted 45.00 plus 6 snacks for around 2 hours work and maybe one gallon of gas. It all comes down to perspective, I guess. Plus, some days, I just need an excuse to leave the house for a bit.

I am on my way to to 3 more today and I will stop by Panda to get a free meal with reward points on the way home.

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. I will look for peanuts.

@ShopperGirly wrote:

For the record, I signed up for these as I have never done them before and I have seen so many on here posting about their route shops. I am retired so any money is plus money for me. I netted 45.00 plus 6 snacks for around 2 hours work and maybe one gallon of gas. It all comes down to perspective, I guess. Plus, some days, I just need an excuse to leave the house for a bit.

I am on my way to to 3 more today and I will stop by Panda to get a free meal with reward points on the way home.

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. I will look for peanuts.

Wait how are you getting that 1 gallon of gas?

And just FYI...its actually a good idea to get the peanut, you can gather tons of those salted peanut and turn them into peanut butter with ease. That way you don't need to buy peanut butter anymore!

Kisekinecro---I estimate I used a gallon of gas on my route.

Also, I scanned my rewards on each visit for future freebies. I actively do credit card SUBs and every dollar of expenditure helps. It is kind of a game for me to try and maximize my benefits when shopping. The remainder of the 7-11 shops are scheduled before or after previously planned MS meals-so no extra travel expenses.

Back when there were double coupons everywhere and lots of rebates, I was a coupon/freebie queen. I would buy 12 Sunday newspapers every week for the coupons. At one point, I passed by 4 Homelands on my way home from work and would stop and make purchases. I stll have Swiffers and cleaning sponges I obtained for free 20 years ago. LOL

On Sundays, I would make the rounds of Eckerd's and Walgreen's, then later CVS. They would let you stack coupons and you could actually make money after getting free merchandise. It was a game for me.

I ended up with so much free toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash,etc that I ran out of room to store it. I gave a lot away.

At the peak of my career, I estimate I was making around $450 per day based on a 40-hour week. I know it may seem crazy that I would do a convenience store shop for $7.50, but then again, it is all about perspective.

My first job in college paid $2.10 per hour.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2025 06:04AM by ShopperGirly.

yes, definitely a different perspective.... that's an annual salary of close to a million bucks....and you already had a lifetime stash of swiffers, sponges, toothpaste and shower supplies lol...if it were me, I would be as far away from doing a shopping report as I could possibly get at that point lol - but as they say, you do you and I do me.
all money made honestly is good money IMO.
I made a little money today shorting gold....not much, a couple hundred bucks, but I am in and out in minutes...minimizes risk quite a bit.
Crazy times we're living in.

@ShopperGirly - YES! I had worked those CVS coupons and extrabucks over and over to death, on 3 different accounts, in the past. I had all that stuff on shelves, including Tide and Dawn, in one of my garages. It looked like a store. I gave most of it to people who could use it and sold the rest at a discount, since it was all practically free. I use Melaleuca products, so I did not need it. It was a game getting all that product! And I still get digital coupons from them to this day, so I just go in and get something that uses up the coupon and the item does not cost me a dime.

Just did 2 last night, got a bags of planters salted peanuts from each store for $1.29 each.

Are you allowed to purchase fountain drinks or coffee at these shops? Sometimes those are .99 cents.

@purpleicee wrote:

@ShopperGirly - YES! I had worked those CVS coupons and extrabucks over and over to death, on 3 different accounts, in the past. I had all that stuff on shelves, including Tide and Dawn, in one of my garages. It looked like a store. I gave most of it to people who could use it and sold the rest at a discount, since it was all practically free. I use Melaleuca products, so I did not need it. It was a game getting all that product! And I still get digital coupons from them to this day, so I just go in and get something that uses up the coupon and the item does not cost me a dime.

Not sure if you use the Ibotta app, lately they have had a rebate for CVS, anything you buy. In my Ibotta app, it's 4% rebate, but in my husband's app, it's been 10%, and then after 3 rebates he gets a bonus of $5. He gets multiple prescriptions filled there, so we get extra bucks frequently and have gotten some nice deals with the app coupons and rebates.

@purpleicee wrote:

@ShopperGirly - YES! I had worked those CVS coupons and extrabucks over and over to death, on 3 different accounts, in the past. I had all that stuff on shelves, including Tide and Dawn, in one of my garages. It looked like a store. I gave most of it to people who could use it and sold the rest at a discount, since it was all practically free. I use Melaleuca products, so I did not need it. It was a game getting all that product! And I still get digital coupons from them to this day, so I just go in and get something that uses up the coupon and the item does not cost me a dime.

I have to "up you by one" as I actually worked 4 accounts LOL.

I had a clear plastic zipper bag for each card, receipts, and notes. I had a nickname for each account to keep them straight.

I also had 2 large 3-ring binders with clear plastic baseball card holders for my coupons.

I never became a hoarder as I was always giving away products. I remember starting a new job where a young male coworker came in with a bad hair day and made a comment that he was waiting until payday to buy shampoo.
The next day I presented him with a gift bag of products from my car.

I went to a family dinner and brought boxes of product to give away. I loved sharing my bounty with others.

Of course, I tried to teach some how to do it but just like mystery shopping, most people lack the patience and attention to detail to succeed.

I was an extreme coupon failure. I tried, but couldn’t keep up like some of my friends could. When Hurricane Katrina hit, I was able to donate two large boxes of hygiene products and I felt good about it. I never understood the extreme doomsday hoarding.

Gigi,

A very good lifelong friend was a Mormon, and part of their faith is preparedness. They are supposed to keep one full year of supplies, for everything they need. And it's a GOOD practice. I'm NOT Mormon, not even close, but they have good sound ideas for serving their community and preparedness.

This is part of the reason I own 3 chest freezers and 2 refrigerators. I don't keep a full year worth of anything, but you can bet that there are at least 2 cases of toilet paper, and more than 2 months worth of most sundries. Between canned goods and my freezers, I doubt I would have trouble feeding me and my dogs for at least two or three months with a little bit of creative cooking..

@ShopperGirly - I had the binder, too, with the baseball card sheets and used dividers to make store categories. Wow, you juggled 4 accounts! My youngest sister would do it, too. We would send photographs to each other of what we got each trip. My other sister did not get it, how we did it, just like you said. And yes, the gifting to those who could use the stuff was such a nice feeling.

I wish I know how to do with that coupon thing ...any hint on how to start doing that?

what are we in school, Mr/Miss PSL? (that's pumpkin spice latte for those following along at home)

take $450 X typical 40 hour work week
take that number and multiply by 52 weeks
and you get over 930 thousand dollars per year. I rounded to a million for illustration.
I could do a lot on that kind of salary.

what are we in school, Mr/Miss PSL? (that's pumpkin spice latte for those following along at home)

take $450 X typical 40 hour work week
take that number and multiply by 52 weeks
and you get over 930 thousand dollars per year. I rounded to a million for illustration.
I could do a lot on that kind of salary.

what are we in school, Mr/Miss PSL? (that's pumpkin spice latte for those following along at home)

take $450 X typical 40 hour work week
take that number and multiply by 52 weeks
and you get over 930 thousand dollars per year. I rounded to a million for illustration.
I could do a lot on that kind of salary.

so to the poster with multiple forum IDs, please explain how that is so off.

Shoppergirly, i apologize if I derailed your the main point of your post in any way.
We each have own ways...peace to you.
I too have found convenience store prices a challenge and more so, in the past couple of years.
For me, it's not unlike the stores, some online, that have an order minimum of 4 of something or 6 of something.... American households getting smaller, bulk purchases at places like Costco, getting bigger.
I think that's why I did well in Italy. Small stores, reasonable sizes.
C'est la vie

Shoppergirly, i apologize if I derailed your the main point of your post in any way.
We each have own ways...peace to you.
I too have found convenience store prices a challenge and more so, in the past couple of years.
For me, it's not unlike the stores, some online, that have an order minimum of 4 of something or 6 of something.... American households getting smaller, bulk purchases at places like Costco, getting bigger.
I think that's why I did well in Italy. Small stores, reasonable sizes.
C'est la vie