Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys?

jobbingmusician

When I did my form, I assumed it meant just MS self-employment. So I EXCLUDED TNS (because whatever they tell you on their forms, they treat you as an employee)......and, now I come to think of it, this is wrong as they don't charge any NI :eek:

Not that it makes any difference - my total earnings will still be very well under £4,000, as I expect yours will be too. As I understand it, that is all this question is designed to find out!

Chas

TNS are definitely PAYE - they (and any other company) will only deduct NI contributions if your earnings for the period (week or month) are above the NI threshold which is £97 per week or £420 per week.

Each employer is only responsible for deduction NI contributions from the amount THEY pay you, regardless of what you earn elsewhere.

redcar_2

Sandwiches on RE

Rachie_B

DIY stores on TNS

Rachie_B

Do any of you guys do the Cinema Trailer assignments with First Tracking ?

are they any good ? is it a lot of work for the fee ?

jobbingmusician

I think First Tracking is rather fun. About 20 minutes work plus the typing up time, and you get to see a new release for free. As I love kids' films, I am really looking forward to Charlotte's Web!

(Cinemas don't HAVE to let you stay to see the film. But I've not known one refuse, so far (touch wood)). :rolleyes:

I've only ever done cinemas with 1 print, so far. If the cinema has several prints, you get paid more, but I don't know if it's as easy to see the film.

TIP - take a torch as it can be difficult to write the details down in the dark!

Jo4

jobbingmusician wrote:

When I was on benefits (early 2005) they let me earn a fiver a week. However, they were very clear that they were not at all interested in the fact that I got free meals from the MS. My view (NOT checked with them) is that what counts is TAXABLE INCOME, so if you declare to them what you earn after your deductions for travel etc., you can actually do a fair amount of MS without it affecting bens, especially in this day and age when MS is so badly paid and there are loads of jobs around where you don't actually get PAID anything, you just get your expenses.....:o

THANKS for your response! Can I ask what is classed as earnings? When you have to purchase a meal and they refund part of the cost of the meal or all of the cost of the meal, is this counted as earnings? Will this affect my income support? What forms do I need to fill in? Who do I tell first? What happens if you earn more than £5 a week but on average less than £5 every week, say in a year?

Rachie_B

jobbingmusician wrote:

I think First Tracking is rather fun. About 20 minutes work plus the typing up time, and you get to see a new release for free. As I love kids' films, I am really looking forward to Charlotte's Web!

(Cinemas don't HAVE to let you stay to see the film. But I've not known one refuse, so far (touch wood)). :rolleyes:

I've only ever done cinemas with 1 print, so far. If the cinema has several prints, you get paid more, but I don't know if it's as easy to see the film.

TIP - take a torch as it can be difficult to write the details down in the dark!

thats why i have applied
think i will feel a divvy sitting there watching it on my own

do you not get strange looks from noting things down etc etc ? :rotfl:

puddings_2

And the nominations for the uk's WORST mystery shopping company are...

avmj

I would like to join the TNS mystery shopping. However the link on the first page doesn't seem to lead to anything about mystery shopping. Can anyone help????