What else do you do to make money?
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Full time job.
I've been doing this (self-employed) as a 1099 since 2000. Sometimes I will work 50-60-70 hours a week at my FT job; and other weeks I may only put in about 30 hours. (Those are the nice weeks!)
I've been doing this (self-employed) as a 1099 since 2000. Sometimes I will work 50-60-70 hours a week at my FT job; and other weeks I may only put in about 30 hours. (Those are the nice weeks!)
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Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
Raise and sell livestock.
However, it is not so much about bringing money in as keeping existing money from being drained away.
Through some convoluted math using shop fees, reimbursements, credit card cash back and couponing I just turned about $400 in net expense into close to $900 of very useful material through shops.
In fact, even the livestock 'pays for itself' in the agricultural exemption on property taxes.
When my 'shop kitty' gets a little fat I send in a check to reduce my mortgage balance.
My health insurance is a 'business expense' of my mystery shopping business and is mostly deductible against my business profitability. (And face it, even if you are on Medicare your part B premium withheld from your SS check is close to $100 per month.)
We would do a fair number of the 'lifestyle' dining out experiences even if they weren't reimbursed by shops, so doing them as shops reduces personal cash flow.
As a retiree I would be bored to tears sitting at home every day, yet all of my miles on my vehicle would be personal expense without shops. As it is, only a very small percentage of miles on my vehicle are "personal miles" thanks to shops and the possibility of making stops along the way for personal errands. (There are only a few 'main drags' through here and I use them for shops with the only mileage deviation from a straight route of shops being pulling into and out of the parking lot to do personal errands.) The mileage deduction very generously allows me to protect shop income from taxation.
So for me, most of my 'business activities' these days are more to reduce normal living costs rather than looking for a paycheck. I really work on that philosophy that you make money by not having to spend it.
However, it is not so much about bringing money in as keeping existing money from being drained away.
Through some convoluted math using shop fees, reimbursements, credit card cash back and couponing I just turned about $400 in net expense into close to $900 of very useful material through shops.
In fact, even the livestock 'pays for itself' in the agricultural exemption on property taxes.
When my 'shop kitty' gets a little fat I send in a check to reduce my mortgage balance.
My health insurance is a 'business expense' of my mystery shopping business and is mostly deductible against my business profitability. (And face it, even if you are on Medicare your part B premium withheld from your SS check is close to $100 per month.)
We would do a fair number of the 'lifestyle' dining out experiences even if they weren't reimbursed by shops, so doing them as shops reduces personal cash flow.
As a retiree I would be bored to tears sitting at home every day, yet all of my miles on my vehicle would be personal expense without shops. As it is, only a very small percentage of miles on my vehicle are "personal miles" thanks to shops and the possibility of making stops along the way for personal errands. (There are only a few 'main drags' through here and I use them for shops with the only mileage deviation from a straight route of shops being pulling into and out of the parking lot to do personal errands.) The mileage deduction very generously allows me to protect shop income from taxation.
So for me, most of my 'business activities' these days are more to reduce normal living costs rather than looking for a paycheck. I really work on that philosophy that you make money by not having to spend it.
I have two wonderful housemates who share my home. I still have a lot of private space, but have the advantages of having people coming and going (and noticing if I am missing, lol) without much work except to take the rent checks to the bank. They are both very quiet, private people, so this remains a peaceful oasis.
As a plus, the housemates are planting and tending a nice vegetable garden this spring. I supplied the land (and 1/3 of the cost of some pots and soil for the herb pots) and will get 1/3 of the tomatoes, squash, greens, herbs, etc. They also are great about taking out the trash and recycling, shoveling snow, and minor repairs.
As a plus, the housemates are planting and tending a nice vegetable garden this spring. I supplied the land (and 1/3 of the cost of some pots and soil for the herb pots) and will get 1/3 of the tomatoes, squash, greens, herbs, etc. They also are great about taking out the trash and recycling, shoveling snow, and minor repairs.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Since there are not many shops available where I live, that I know of, I mainly do merchandising.
I would like to get into merchandising but don't have any experience reading plan-o-gram or anything. Is there a website that teaches you the basics, vocabulary, etc of merchandising?
I am a full time student getting my bachelor's degree in HR. I have 1 and a half years left. MSing and how to treat people are completely contradictory to what I learn in school....lol...laws/ethics.
Other than that...mystery shopping is my full time job along with my kids. Because my kids are 10 years apart...I have a full time job there alone. My teen is into every sport known to mankind along with band and boy scouts. Then I have a toddler and well...anyone with kids understands how it is to have a toddler.
I did work full time for a doctor's office as the office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I now make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but true.
Other than that...mystery shopping is my full time job along with my kids. Because my kids are 10 years apart...I have a full time job there alone. My teen is into every sport known to mankind along with band and boy scouts. Then I have a toddler and well...anyone with kids understands how it is to have a toddler.
I did work full time for a doctor's office as the office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I now make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but true.
I work 3 days (24 hours) a week at a small office. When someone goes on vacation I occasionally pick up a few more hours.
I work two/three days a week in a hospital. Things have changes over the years--->electronic reporting is a new one. This is the biggest advantage/challenge facing the medical world.
MS is like a luxury vacation. It pays for the travel expense.
MS is like a luxury vacation. It pays for the travel expense.
SecretAgentMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a full time student getting my bachelor's
> degree in HR. I have 1 and a half years left.
> MSing and how to treat people are completely
> contradictory to what I learn in
> school....lol...laws/ethics.
>
> Other than that...mystery shopping is my full time
> job along with my kids. Because my kids are 10
> years apart...I have a full time job there alone.
> My teen is into every sport known to mankind along
> with band and boy scouts. Then I have a toddler
> and well...anyone with kids understands how it is
> to have a toddler.
>
> I did work full time for a doctor's office as the
> office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I now
> make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but
> true.
Wow How is this possible?
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a full time student getting my bachelor's
> degree in HR. I have 1 and a half years left.
> MSing and how to treat people are completely
> contradictory to what I learn in
> school....lol...laws/ethics.
>
> Other than that...mystery shopping is my full time
> job along with my kids. Because my kids are 10
> years apart...I have a full time job there alone.
> My teen is into every sport known to mankind along
> with band and boy scouts. Then I have a toddler
> and well...anyone with kids understands how it is
> to have a toddler.
>
> I did work full time for a doctor's office as the
> office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I now
> make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but
> true.
Wow How is this possible?
cynb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SecretAgentMom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > I did work full time for a doctor's office as
> the
> > office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I
> now
> > make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but
> > true.
>
> Wow How is this possible?
I am guessing you are wondering how it is possible that I make more money MSing one day a week then 40 hours in a doctor office. Have you ever worked for a doctor not attached or affiliated with a hospital or group? They are CHEAP! Doctors don't like to pay money out to their staff, it would be money out of their pocket! I worked for this particular doctor for 5 years was the office manager, medical biller, in charge of all patient accounts from the minute a patient called to make the appointment to the final billing of the account or collections. It is crazy how cheap doctors are around here.
Msing one day a week (10-16) shops in a route gives me more money than the doctor did a week. I do pick up occasional extra shops that are close to home, or one the way to/from an errand, but usually only that 1 day I work and I should say I work hard. I am selective in my choosing and will not complete a route if it doesn't meet my set money maker criteria. I pick up low paying recorded phone shops while I am driving because an extra $2 during drive time is an extra $2 (the reports are usually only 4 questions and simple). I do not count the phone calls as part of my shop route numbers, they are purely extra.
-------------------------------------------------------
> SecretAgentMom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> > I did work full time for a doctor's office as
> the
> > office manager, I worked 40 hours a week...I
> now
> > make more money MSing one day a week. Sad but
> > true.
>
> Wow How is this possible?
I am guessing you are wondering how it is possible that I make more money MSing one day a week then 40 hours in a doctor office. Have you ever worked for a doctor not attached or affiliated with a hospital or group? They are CHEAP! Doctors don't like to pay money out to their staff, it would be money out of their pocket! I worked for this particular doctor for 5 years was the office manager, medical biller, in charge of all patient accounts from the minute a patient called to make the appointment to the final billing of the account or collections. It is crazy how cheap doctors are around here.
Msing one day a week (10-16) shops in a route gives me more money than the doctor did a week. I do pick up occasional extra shops that are close to home, or one the way to/from an errand, but usually only that 1 day I work and I should say I work hard. I am selective in my choosing and will not complete a route if it doesn't meet my set money maker criteria. I pick up low paying recorded phone shops while I am driving because an extra $2 during drive time is an extra $2 (the reports are usually only 4 questions and simple). I do not count the phone calls as part of my shop route numbers, they are purely extra.
hudge95 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to get into merchandising but don't
> have any experience reading plan-o-gram or
> anything. Is there a website that teaches you the
> basics, vocabulary, etc of merchandising?
Certified does a lot of merchandising. It does not seem to pay well. Google planograms and merchandising.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to get into merchandising but don't
> have any experience reading plan-o-gram or
> anything. Is there a website that teaches you the
> basics, vocabulary, etc of merchandising?
Certified does a lot of merchandising. It does not seem to pay well. Google planograms and merchandising.
The question by the OP is predicated on the concept that one is actually making a profit at MSing.
According to my recent tax return, I'm loosing money at this and have to have a FT job just to support my mystery shopping ;^)
According to my recent tax return, I'm loosing money at this and have to have a FT job just to support my mystery shopping ;^)
We all forget wear and tear on our cars, that figured into the money made, leaves me with very little cash. I am always putting money into my car to keep
it maintained for msing.....so, not driving half as much, not worth it.
I'm finding this has become my hobby.
it maintained for msing.....so, not driving half as much, not worth it.
I'm finding this has become my hobby.
Live consciously....
i do a lot of surveys online with a few different websites. i'm typically able to pull in an extra $150 a month doing this. and at times i get to sample some products which is nice.
I sell vintage things online. I have been doing that longer than secret shopping! I am also a foster parent. Oh, the time just flies by in our house o fun!
I teach math and science at a small public school for children with special needs.
They are usually in foster care; often their parents are in prison or AWOL or deceased.
After a day of dealing with the sadness and grief in their lives and the emotional problems they have, it's a relief to go do a gas station audit or the infamous Swedish Furniture Shop, LOLOL.
MSing is my way of winding down before I get home; I also schedule routes during the long weekends and take the scenic byways to get those little rural post offices and banks and gas stations. Very calming to me.
They are usually in foster care; often their parents are in prison or AWOL or deceased.
After a day of dealing with the sadness and grief in their lives and the emotional problems they have, it's a relief to go do a gas station audit or the infamous Swedish Furniture Shop, LOLOL.
MSing is my way of winding down before I get home; I also schedule routes during the long weekends and take the scenic byways to get those little rural post offices and banks and gas stations. Very calming to me.
hudge95 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to get into merchandising but don't
> have any experience reading plan-o-gram or
> anything. Is there a website that teaches you the
> basics, vocabulary, etc of merchandising?
PLease go to >>> www.drivelineretail.com
and apply online. They always have work.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would like to get into merchandising but don't
> have any experience reading plan-o-gram or
> anything. Is there a website that teaches you the
> basics, vocabulary, etc of merchandising?
PLease go to >>> www.drivelineretail.com
and apply online. They always have work.
Driveline isn't the best paying company but it certainly has lots of opportunities for a variety of on-the-job learning experiences. Depending upon where you live, it will probably be one of your major companies.
To answer your question about where to learn about merchandising, try www.NARMS.com, but you pay for the classes. You can also find companies with jobs on that site.
To find free information, look at the merchandiser blogs just as we look at the mystery shopping blogs.
To answer your question about where to learn about merchandising, try www.NARMS.com, but you pay for the classes. You can also find companies with jobs on that site.
To find free information, look at the merchandiser blogs just as we look at the mystery shopping blogs.
I sell heavy artillery to Uyghur rebels in Xinjiang. But their credit has been iffy lately. I may have to branch out to mortgage-backed derivatives.
D'Agosto
"What does it mean? You ask. I answer not/For meaning, but myself must echo, What?/And tell it as I saw it, on the spot."
"What does it mean? You ask. I answer not/For meaning, but myself must echo, What?/And tell it as I saw it, on the spot."
Get a job. Yes, it’s a little tougher these days in a competitive job market, but teens can still score jobs in the familiar haunts. Fast food joints, grocery stores, retail shops and other traditional employers of the younger set still need employees. It could take a little bit of effort and patience, but most kids can find their way onto someone’s payroll.
Huh? Was that directed at someone in particular or all of us in general, LOL!
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.
wine,
What do you have to say to a bunch of mature adults who do this as serious business enterprise? Do you even know what we do?
What do you have to say to a bunch of mature adults who do this as serious business enterprise? Do you even know what we do?
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Mystery shopping is extra money for my household. Over the years, it's been 50/50 for me, fees/reimbursements. Useful reimbursements - groceries, oil changes & tire rotations, dining, haircuts, office supplies, et al = a penny saved is a penny earned.
I have also been a substitute teacher. Don't have to have a teaching degree, and it pays $50-75 for 4-5 hours/day. For me, the downside is the short notice, and the students.
One year I worked a month with UPS at holiday time. Not too fun for me, but lots of hours and decent pay.
Tax season? May work for anyone interested in tax preparation and willing to take classes and become certified.
I have also been a substitute teacher. Don't have to have a teaching degree, and it pays $50-75 for 4-5 hours/day. For me, the downside is the short notice, and the students.
One year I worked a month with UPS at holiday time. Not too fun for me, but lots of hours and decent pay.
Tax season? May work for anyone interested in tax preparation and willing to take classes and become certified.
Yeah, I meant something independent like MS. Once I had a guy come out to the house after I tried to invoke the warranty on a mattress. He looked it over, took measurements, and looked for signs of use that would void the warranty. He mentioned that he was an independent contractor. I should've asked more questions but at the time I was a SAHM with 3 small kids. No way I had time to pursure it anyways.
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