If you like to shop, like me, you probably do it as much to purchase what you need and want as for the enjoyment of looking and comparing.  We all have to shop, some time or another, for everything from groceries and clothing to dinners and gifts. I know finding a great deal makes me as happy as having a great dinner or seeing a great movie.

For me, the guilty part of spending time shopping is knowing I should be working and earning instead of spending. At one time, I even considered a part-time job for “mad money” just for shopping. If only I could earn and spend at the same time.

But there is a way to offset the cost of shopping, by getting paid while you do it – mystery shopping providers!  At first I was skeptical, when I searched the term on the Internet. I’d never heard of such a thing. I was surprised - the more I read, the more it made sense. 

Retailers, restaurants, and even travel agencies need feedback to be sure their services and products are what they should be, and what better way to get that than a person using the services, buying the products and then reporting back to the company?

So, instead of just shopping, I mystery shop. To be sure, I had to do my homework. A great start was the ebook called  the “Mystery Shopper Handbook.” This is a great beginning, with all the information I needed (and the questions I needed to answer for myself!) to get ready for my part-time job.

I knew I could handle the shopping assignments, but I needed time to set up to do the scheduling and reporting that comes with them. I searched many websites, too, and found some companies to sign on with. With my computer, fax machine, files and calendar in place, I was ready to get paid to shop! 

I was careful to pick and choose my assignments carefully, slowly at first, so I could get the reporting done correctly and on time.  I had no trouble getting shops in my area, and I enjoy the control I have over what and when I choose. It’s the perfect combination of shopping and earning  for me – a part-time job doing something I’d enjoy anyway!