How Do You Stay Organized?

November 21, 2025 01:47AM

Managing multiple shops can be tricky! What’s your best tip for staying organized and submitting reports on time?

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November 21, 2025 01:50AM

I put everything on my goggle calendar. It makes everything easy. To get everything submitted, I figure how much time it will take to submit the jobs and I stop everything and begin submitting my jobs.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

November 21, 2025 01:55AM

That’s a smart approach! Google Calendar is a lifesaver for staying organized. Blocking time for submissions is such a pro tip, love that idea. Do you also set reminders for assignment deadlines, or do you just rely on your calendar blocks? I’m curious because a lot of shoppers struggle with juggling multiple shops.

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November 21, 2025 02:06AM

Google calendar. It's extra helpful that I can invite my dinner guest and get it added to their calendar that way as well! I submit almost everything immediately after completing a shop (often from the parking lot using their wifi!) and load it into my spreadsheet at the same time. If I save anything for after I get home, I can still see the tasks for the day. I set reminders only if it's a multi day, multi step shop. Otherwise, it's submitted same day. I don't allow the opportunity to forget or get caught off guard by a tight deadline.

November 21, 2025 02:10AM

I put everything in my Google calendar and copy my spouse who is usually with me. I don't use the Google reminders because most of the MSC send them anyway. I keep a detailled spreadsheet for each year. I do almost everything on my laptop. I have a 34 in screen split into 3 secttions. On the left I keep my google photos and google calendar ( easily switched.). In the middle I keep my e-mail and the report I am submitting (I can toggle between the two as needed,). On the right side of the monitor is my spreadsheet and also my OneNote, where I keep misc notes and information.

When I come home from shopping, I lay my receipts on my desk and they stay there until completed. I then paper clip all receipts, newest on top, and dispose of them after they have been approved. In the past I kept all my receipts, but it became bulky. They are all in my Google photos any way.

November 21, 2025 06:12AM

I can honestly say that I'm about as far from organized as a person can be. I keep track of my jobs in a calendar, I have digital files for my receipt, the paper receipts are everywhere, except in a file, and eventually they'll find the burn barrel.

November 21, 2025 07:43AM

I just use a spreadsheet where I list each shop with the date range to do each one. I rearrange the shops so the ones needing to be done first are on top.

Then I just check the spreadsheet.

Once done, the info can be easily copied and pasted to the sheet I use to track income.

November 21, 2025 03:57PM

I use my routing app to plan routes/ working days.
I then enter shops into my spreadsheet in large groups. If i entered each one individually I'd spend days!

November 21, 2025 04:25PM

Every evening (after the end of my day), I open up my Google calendar, I get a sheet of paper and write down the jobs I have to do the next day. I go through Google Maps and make my route for the best time. I then write my headings like the town, state if needed, the actual job, and the address of each job. Phone number of the job if needed as well.

I then go through the jobs and see what the instructions are. If they are unfamiliar, I get another sheet of paper and write down the main things I have to do, the pictures I have to take, what I need to ask, etc.

When I get up in the morning, I have my route, list of stores with the addresses (phone numbers), and any instructions I need that I don't feel I will remember. During my travels, if I don't have internet and need any of this info, It's written down already.

Easy-peasy and keeps me very organized and knowing that I need to do. I probably have a lot longer list than most people, since I travel three states. But, the idea can still be used on shorter routes or jobs.

@GBW_USA wrote:

That’s a smart approach! Google Calendar is a lifesaver for staying organized. Blocking time for submissions is such a pro tip, love that idea. Do you also set reminders for assignment deadlines, or do you just rely on your calendar blocks? I’m curious because a lot of shoppers struggle with juggling multiple shops.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

November 21, 2025 04:29PM

I jot down the order I plan to do each shop on a piece of paper and keep it with me to view along my way. I plan a route via google maps ahead of time but can be flexible if stuff happens. I allow time between to submit what shops can be done on my phone. Some days are well organized and some I'm flying around like a witch in the breeze.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

November 23, 2025 12:47PM

I work a full time job and do this on the "side." I am very old school (this method has worked for me for 20+ years). I keep a spiral notebook and lable a new page 1-31 (or 28,29, 30) each month. I write down the shop location and pay on the line beside the date. Since I don't like to bite off more than I can chew, I rarely do more than 3 shops per day. Its usually 1 on any given day. For each month, The back side of that page has a list of each company and what they will owe me as well as the mileage. As I am paid, I check them off. I print invoices from companies that provide an invoice and for companies who do not, I print the shop log from their website. I do have a method for this madness. It probably looks like a hot mess, but its all there. I reconcile quarterly to make sure that everything is accounted for. I truly love the reimbursement shops (hotel, restaurants, etc..). I know many say, "I don't work for free," but I have a full time job with fantastic benefits. I was reimbursed almost $700 last week for a hotel shop, running shoes and dog food. These shops add balance at tax time.

November 23, 2025 12:54PM

I will add that the way I submit reports on time is to not take on more than I have time to submit. Many shops get reported from my car after I leave the location. I avoid shops that cause stress. I have found that its far less stressful to eat at home than to go to a fine dining restaurant and spend hours on a report. I have learned which companies provide the best platforms and reporting expecations and which to avoid.

November 23, 2025 11:52PM

@ShopperGirly wrote:

I put everything in my Google calendar and copy my spouse who is usually with me. I don't use the Google reminders because most of the MSC send them anyway. I keep a detailled spreadsheet for each year. I do almost everything on my laptop. I have a 34 in screen split into 3 secttions. On the left I keep my google photos and google calendar ( easily switched.). In the middle I keep my e-mail and the report I am submitting (I can toggle between the two as needed,). On the right side of the monitor is my spreadsheet and also my OneNote, where I keep misc notes and information.

When I come home from shopping, I lay my receipts on my desk and they stay there until completed. I then paper clip all receipts, newest on top, and dispose of them after they have been approved. In the past I kept all my receipts, but it became bulky. They are all in my Google photos any way.

[gapcentral.gbw.solutions]

November 23, 2025 11:58PM

Wow, a 34-inch screen split into sections? That’s seriously next-level! I love how you’ve got Google Calendar, Photos, and OneNote all working together super organized. It’s always cool to see how different shoppers handle their workflow because it gives us ideas on what really works.

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November 24, 2025 12:01AM

Love all the updates and the creative ways you guys handle your schedules. I can safely say I’ve picked up a few ideas just reading through these. It’s so cool to see how everyone has their own system. As a mystery shopping company, we’re always curious about what else we can do to make things easier for you. If there’s one thing you wish MSCs did better, what would it be? Be honest, We’d love to hear your thoughts

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