Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys?

onthecase

Yes, Josie, that's right. I am actually better off by doing mystery shopping. Since November when I started I've managed to completely clear my horrendous overdraft which I'm really pleased about.

Although on paper it looks like a loss, like Josie says, some jobs I've taken are near work, so I've put down the mileage from home, and some I've combined with shopping trips that I wanted to do anyway, so in real terms I have made money.

Its just that I'm worried that if I put that I've earned £321, but mileage at 40p per mile and paper print outs 0.06p each come to £431, meaning a "paper" loss of £139, will the Inland Revenue think I'm fiddling and want to investigate. I have all the details of where the jobs are, who they are for, what I've been paid, what I've had to spend etc, so I feel legit, but somehow it doesn't feel right to be self employed and yet make a "loss".

I understand what the poster is saying when they say don't take the jobs if you are not making money, but I only seem to be able to get Gap jobs at the moment, which don't pay very well, but at the end of the day I am still better off than I was last year!

Is anyone else putting in a loss like mine for this years tax return? Also, do you enclose your list of jobs or just presume they accept what you are saying?

Thanks in advance.

System

Hi, I'm the same as you onthecase. I have only made a small profit on paper but not as much as I have really made through free meals, freebies etc. It has also been helped by a few higher paying assignments from the likes of GRG, TNS + NOP (both gave bonuses for urgent jobs) and emystery. I do do jobs where the profit is small but only if I am going there anyway, otherwise living in the country I would get no work at all. Also I have found you definately have to do the poor paying ones to build up a relationship of trust in order to be offered higher paying assignments. :j

jobbingmusician

rachelja wrote: »

I have found you definately have to do the poor paying ones to build up a relationship of trust in order to be offered higher paying assignments. :j

Exactly - this is the line to use with the Revenue to explain why you have made a loss in year 1. But try to make a profit in year 2, or they will be suspicious.....:rolleyes:

bargain888

Check out Gap. They have some new clients!

redcar_2

Sorry as off topic but Becles as you contribute so much here I don't think anyone will mind. I just noticed your signature has changed! Congratulations on the new baby - I checked out your other posts and she is lovely. :j

benbenandme

Congratulations Becles !!! :beer: :T :T She is beautiful ... this board is full of lovely new babies today ! :A :A

trulymadlydeeply_indebt!

URGENT HELP REQUIED PLEASE!!!!!

I have my first mystery shop to do today and MS company haven't sent me a briefing pack. I've tried to contact them but they say as it's close to deadline time, I should just go and do it!

It's with a well known high street Bank regarding opening a current account. What should I be spotting? I used to work for The Royal Bank and we had regular "shoppers" who checked staff appearance, branch appearance, litter, whether the leaflets were straight and tidy, did the Teller smile and make eyecontact, did he/she apologise if I had to wait in the queue for more than 2 mins etc.,

Can anybody out there reply asap please - I was hoping to go this morning before DD goes to Nursery this afternoon and it's a 12 mile drive away so any quick responses would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

TMB_indebt!

springs65

Have you checked your e-mail? I was at last min when I did a bank job and they e-mailed me the paperwork, just a thought. You are on the right track with all the questions you mentioned.

ViksB

Don't do it without a briefing pack. Check your junk mail. They send them out about a week before the shop is due. It will be an email attachment.
If you don't have it contact mshelp@grg.com
and phone them on 0800 515832 and leave a message. They are goood at getting back to you.

Viks.

trulymadlydeeply_indebt!

Cheers ViksB and Springs65.

I've rang the number you provided and will sit here until 11am to see what happens and flick through to my Inbox every 5 minutes or so.

I'm usually quite calm but for some reason I'm sooooo nervous about this - just wish I had the information to put my mind at rest.

Always fancied being a detective!:rotfl: