Shop prep
I may not have mentioned that I've started mystery shopping. I have a coupon swap buddy who does it, and she told me where to find reputable companies.
I have been having a good time. On top of scoring great deals, I'm getting a small part of my purchase reimbursed, and I'm getting paid a little for my time. I take my time in the store, so I've found that it doesn't really take me any more time to do a shop than it does to do my regular grocery shopping.
In March, I completed several shops. Some companies pay out the next month, some the month after. Only one of the companies I shopped for in March pays out in April, which is fine. In late April, I'll be getting almost $100 for the shopping I did in March. I'll get a bit more in May, just over $50 total from 2 other companies, for March shops.
If I can keep up with it, and roll the money month to month, mystery shopping could pay for a significant portion of my grocery budget. If I can figure out the timing of when they offer gas station shops, since they seem to be all taken when I've checked, I can start cutting that part of the monthly budget as well.
I'm considering not rolling my April pay-out into more grocery shops, but instead taking a luxury shop and enjoying myself. I didn't take any luxury shops in March because I just didn't have the extra cash, but it would be so nice to get reimbursed for a massage.
Anyway, shop prep. I really hate shop prep, but it is a necessary evil. There's a lot to get checked out at a grocery store. Luckily enough, if you're good, you can carry a cheat sheet with you, mingled with your grocery list, store ad and coupons, and it won't get noticed. So far, shops requiring less info (I have to get the name and description of not less than 5 employees, time them, and recount our interaction today) have been simple enough to not require a cheat sheet to keep it all straight.
I've done this shop scenario at least 4 times already, and it is one of Joe's favorites.
OK, got to prep my list. Later gator.
I have been having a good time. On top of scoring great deals, I'm getting a small part of my purchase reimbursed, and I'm getting paid a little for my time. I take my time in the store, so I've found that it doesn't really take me any more time to do a shop than it does to do my regular grocery shopping.
In March, I completed several shops. Some companies pay out the next month, some the month after. Only one of the companies I shopped for in March pays out in April, which is fine. In late April, I'll be getting almost $100 for the shopping I did in March. I'll get a bit more in May, just over $50 total from 2 other companies, for March shops.
If I can keep up with it, and roll the money month to month, mystery shopping could pay for a significant portion of my grocery budget. If I can figure out the timing of when they offer gas station shops, since they seem to be all taken when I've checked, I can start cutting that part of the monthly budget as well.
I'm considering not rolling my April pay-out into more grocery shops, but instead taking a luxury shop and enjoying myself. I didn't take any luxury shops in March because I just didn't have the extra cash, but it would be so nice to get reimbursed for a massage.
Anyway, shop prep. I really hate shop prep, but it is a necessary evil. There's a lot to get checked out at a grocery store. Luckily enough, if you're good, you can carry a cheat sheet with you, mingled with your grocery list, store ad and coupons, and it won't get noticed. So far, shops requiring less info (I have to get the name and description of not less than 5 employees, time them, and recount our interaction today) have been simple enough to not require a cheat sheet to keep it all straight.
I've done this shop scenario at least 4 times already, and it is one of Joe's favorites.
OK, got to prep my list. Later gator.