Mystery Shopping

The truth about mystery shopping is that you can make money doing it. The first rule is NEVER pay to join. There are many free sites that are authentic. The first time I signed up to mystery shop my husband was very skeptical. He was sure that I was being taken for a ride on the scam pony. However, I did the job and actually received full compensation for my work.
I signed up to shop a pizza joint (no names mentioned as I still shop this place on occasion) and received not only money for rating the job but reimbursement for my meal. I have been paid to buy clothing and gotten reimbursed for my clothing purchase. On occasion I do gas station shops and get my gas paid for and a nice fee for doing the shop.
Most Mystery shopping jobs pay from $5.00 to $12 dollars a job. Some shopping sites pay more as the end of the month draws nearer and they are in desperate need of getting shops done. I have seen jobs pay as high as $50 a job.
Please don't think that just because you live in a small town that you can't do mystery shopping. The truth is that the small towns have fewer people signed up to shop and these are generally the shops that run up into the higher pay scales.

Some tips for making the most money for your time;

1. Try to wait for the later part of the month, the pay will almost always be better.
2. Assign yourself several jobs in the same area to avoid running all over time and thus spending to much at the gas station.
3. Pay close attention to instructions as incorrectly done shops are not paid for.
4. Sign up for several mystery shopping sites this way you increase your job options.
Strategic Reflections
I have personally worked for and been paid by Market force, Strategic Reflections, ASC Retail Merchandising Services and Corporate Research International.

Ebay it sister!!

In this day and age everyone has heard of Ebay. The truth is that it is a great way for SAHMs to make extra cash without leaving home. The great thing about Ebay is that you can pick and chose what you want to sell or you can sell a modge podge of everything. I have made children's boutique outfits and sold them from $20-$150 dollars a set. I have bought clearance items and resold them on Ebay. Listed below is a break down of some great ways to make money on ebay.

Garage Sale Guru: If you love garage sale shopping, then put this to work for you. Maternity clothing, ladies plus size clothing, games, vintage items, and certain glasswares sell for a nice chunk of change. In the spring and early summer months snatch up those maternity swim suits then throw them on Ebay. For quick cash turn around use a buy it now button.

Thrift Store Diva: If you can spend hours rummaging through racks of peoples donated clothing, shoes, purses, and household knick knacks, you could be making money. You know if you have visited many thrift shops that people will donate high end suits and shoes, and you can grab them up for nothing. The problem is that often you find the most delicious pair of Kate Spade sandals and they aren't your size. The beauty of Ebay is that they will be someone else's size and maybe even 79 someones who desperately want those sandals for less than the original $600 price tag. Lay down the $2.99 take them home, wipe them up, snap a picture, list them on Ebay and watch the bidding begin. I can personally testify to having found a vintage Gucci purse (vintage meaning old and (to me) ugly.) I paid a whopping $0.45 for the purse and sold it for $85.00. I was thrilled!! Be careful that you know the item is authentic as Ebay will remove auctions off for knock-off items.

Estate sale and auction Goddess: there is big money to be made for those ladies who know a quality antique when they see it. I prefer to stay with smaller items as they ship easier, but if you aren't afraid to pack and ship then go for that beautiful cherry wood writing desk from the 1800's. Check out the old medicine bottles and perfume bottles. I have a dear friend who picked up a box of old bottles for the low price of $5.00 and turned around and sold one bottle for around $5,000. Please note these results are not typical, however you can still have a nice turn around on these items.

There are a few areas that you should navigate with care.

1. Be careful with buyers who want you to cancel an auction and deal with them outside of ebay. This opens you up to fraud without any protection.

2. Make sure that your shipping charge is fair to the buyer, but that your shipping cost and your packing cost are covered. If you are unsure of what to charge go with flat rate shipping. You can get the boxes and envelopes free from your post office or have them shipped for free directly to your home. Fit the item in the correct size box and charge the flat rate fee for that box.

3. If you want more than one picture on your listing or super cute templates use a free listing site. Don't give ebay any more of your hard earned money than you have to. Often these sites will host your pictures and allow you to follow your listings right from your account page. You can also do your own HTML through ebay and host your own photos.