Working from home sounds like the best job on Earth and it can be, but there are parameters. Some of which include, finding work, managing the office, and arriving on time "to work" and appointments. Being able to schedule my work around my day is one of the best things I love about working from home. It is also one of the worst. As I age, naps are becoming more important every day; but not napping every day. If I am napping, who will be minding the proverbial store? No one.
Today I started my day in the field late. I arrived at my first door-knock / field chase a little after 11:00am. Not to say that I wasn't working prior to. I normally wake up between 4:00am and 6:00am. I meditated on a great day and was grateful for such. I completed my report for a great mystery shop from the day before.
I will receive a reimbursement for an oil change at a local Chevrolet dealer and a cash payment of $20, with a possible $5 bonus. This is one of the better mystery shops, as a lot pay $2 to $7; maybe $15 or simply just a reimbursement. The Chevrolet dealership oil change report was rather easy with some narrative. After 15 years in the mystery shopping and field services business, this is one of the more desirable shops. Check out mystery shops in your area here [Free Oil Change]. Great paying exit interviews are also available.
As the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states, bill collectors may begin their antics at 8:00am. The collection festivities must wrap up by 9:00pm. By these standards arriving at my field chase at 11:00am was late. After a quick stop at Staples for some copies, I was off to my first SNAP/EBT (food stamps) review, of four. Los Angeles 90003, then off to Bellflower 90706. Before heading to Bellflower I had a phone interview for more field services work. It was brief, but promising. I had two SNAP/EBT (food stamps) reviews in Bellflower. I completed one, but was starving after. I usually have my first meal before 9:00am or 10:00am. By 2:00pm, I am famished. I can't think, I can't see, and can not speak.
I wanted to be mindful of my food choice as my hips are spreading. I've slowed down on my exercise. Slowed to a crawl. Ok. Slowed to almost non-existent! Subway is my go-to lunch while in the field. I opted for a 6" veggie patty dressed with lots of colorful and yummy vegetables.
I tried Subway's new Saracha sauce. OMG. I am in love! Do you say, "Sa-ra-CHA" or "Sa-ra-CHI"? It was shown on Dr. Oz as a belly buster so I gave up the fattening mayo and mustard and will request Sa-ra-CHI from here on out on my Subway subs. After lunch, I felt sorry for the next vendor I visited, as I reeked of fresh onions; but, my belly was happy, though.
After Bellflower I headed to Paramount. I had always wanted to visit the Paramount swap meet. Request granted! I drove around and around before I decided to try inside the swap meet. BINGO! Well, almost. More like "BING!" The vendor I was looking for did rent a stall in the Paramount swap meet, but was not on premises that day. Great! What an anticlimactic swap meet visit! No vendor and slim pickings at the swap meet, overall. Seems business was slow, so people were packing it up and packing it in around 3:00pm. When I return I'll remember to buy some walnuts for banana-nut bread and pecans to snack on! Pecans are one of my favorite MUFA's, or belly busters.
After my last stop of the evening in Downey, I got a second wind. I was no longer tired and ready to run the streets. I called my daughter and invited her for a mani. First we stopped for ice cream. We love ice cream.
My daughter balled out and got a mani and a pedi. I'm not so loose with my ends. Funds. Dineros. I told my manicurist, they'd never get my $50 or $60. No I don't want a pedicure. No I don't want my "eyebrow" done and no, you can't fix my mustache! I pointed out how people hate who they are and try to pretti-fy their persons.
I told him, they should work on the inside, work on their hearts, and "just give me the plain Jane taupe/nude/cappuccino color -thank you." I was out of there for less than $20, including my tip.
By the time, I got home it was about 6:30pm or 7:00pm.
Like when I am hungry, when I am sleepy, I am no good to anyone. I can't see, can't think, and can't speak! What the...? I am trying to manage my time better so I wound down and prepared for the next day. First, I had to complete my schedule - billing, if you will. I blogged a little and around midnight I settled in for a little tv before drifting off to sleep. A productive day, but I could always do more!
Michelle Brown
Either I'm a great mystery shopper or they need help. As big of an ego that I have, I'm leaning toward the latter. One of my mystery shop companies called this morning looking for shoppers for oil changes. A free oil change and a little bonus ($25)...now that is worth my time. Free oil changes! Get 'em while they are hot! Owners of Cadillacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets are needed. You can even borrow a car! If interested, fill out the Online Application.
Mystery shopping may sound like fun, sneaking up on people and taking notes. It may look glamorous, like free lunches and cocktails at swanky beachside restaurants; but, it is not so easy! Mystery shopping is not for everyone.
Mystery shopping entails strict deadlines, detailed instructions and sometimes narratives. You want your reports to provide a snapshot of what happened. What was said and when. It's like telling a story.
A lot of people are intrigued to find that I am a mystery shopper. How is it? Do they really pay? Is it a scam? They'll ask. It is work. I work from home, make my own hours, and take naps regularly. They do pay. Some pay more than others. Some pay sooner than others, but they all pay.
Early in my field services career I had a problem with a company that I conducted door-knocks for. They were in over their heads and I was in on the tail end of the demise. I was shorted a few bucks, but chalked it up to the game.
Overall, I have been happy with each of the companies that I've worked for. In the past 15 years, I've inspected 1000's of cars, businesses, pieces of heavy equipment, damaged pieces of freight, foreclosed properties, and SNAP/EBT (food stamp) vendors. I've met interesting people and learned lots of things. I learned there is a drill that uses forced water to cut stone. A maker of ambulances showed me that.
One time I inspected a small business that I suspected was committing fraud in some way. I was to go in and inspect this business to see if there was legitimate (any) business being conducted. Why did the man try to pass off some dummy-looking computer equipment as NEW?! I swear it almost looked like the (FAKE) computer stuff at IKEA. No disrespect intended. IKEA is one of my favorites stores. But trying to pass old or dummy computer equipment off as new on a computer geek is death, for sure.
The man followed me to my car talking a whole lot of mumbo jumbo. Yep. You frauding and your shoes need to be shined, I thought. Commercial inspections back in the day. Those were the days. I've moved on to USDA and FDA inspections/reviews now.
Working from home and working for myself can be tough at times, but the free time and the good times are well worth the effort. Now I've got to focus on moving to the next level. I think my memoir is ready to be written. People tell me to focus on one thing. I can not. We are so complex; the human. I believe I have found the magic and I am activating my powers, now.
Completing field services contracts before or after my full time gig allowed me to segue to self employment. I worked them both until I was able to quit the full time job. There was a level of fear but I planned for that and made provisions. You've always got to have a back up plan. Plan B, C, or even a Plan G.
Check out some of these mystery shopping assignments to see if you've got what it takes. I have gone from mystery shopping to earning to $70K in a year in field services contracts and you can too. But, you've got to start somewhere.
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by Michelle Brown
