Maximising income - Mystery Shopping? Surveys? (Part Three)

beccabee_2

bulktrans wrote: »

guys cud someone plz let me know if its worth doing GAP's ******delivery job.........

Can you take the client name out of your post please

Timmne

Claw_back_money wrote: »

Hi all
Question about tax and expenses...

I did a online supermarket shop. I got paid £3.50 for the survey, and £8 for the purchase. Did my week's shopping (came to about £70). I understand the bit about paper, telephone call etc, but can I claim any of the shopping as expenses and deduct from my 'profit'?

I'm about to do a clothes shop. £4 for the survey and £11 for the purchase. I'm going to be left with a piece of clothing, and it will be my choice whether to bin it, ebay it, or choose carefully and love it and wear it! Does the cost of this item still count as an expense to deduct from the £15 I'll be paid?

Timmne recommended some software, to be honest I can't see me ever earning enough to justify it, on top of a full-time job. I've seen reference to a spreadsheet... has someone set one up for mystery shopping that is being shared?
TIA
Cbm

Any job where you're left with a tangible item such as (supermarket/packaged) food or clothes, you shouldn't really be claiming the cost against tax as you've not spent anything (as you will use the goods you bought).

HOWEVER, my argument is that you wouldn't be paid unless you spent £X on whatever so I always claim that much off my profit. Sometimes I give my coffee to a homeless guy if I can find one so that's allowable!

It's all subjective really as there are arguments either way. I would say claim what you think is justifiable and go with it. The likelihood is that if you are ever investigated, you'd be found to be handling it correctly anyway and wouldn't be liable for any more tax.

(Have to stress this advice isn't gospel so don't do anything on my advice that you're not comfortable with!)

As for a spreadsheet, I would go for your own. There's one done by someone on another forum but it's a little complicated and I don't think it particularly fits the job.

Spreadsheets are generally more effective if you do your own anyway as you understand it better!

jobbingmusician

Sarah_Joanne wrote: »

Well everyone I did that recorded shop this morning. I got a bit worried when they said I couldn't have the amount of loan I was requesting, but I could have 3 times that amount! :eek: (Due to outstanding debt that I would have to consolidate to be able to take more)

So I went along with that and now I have come away I think I might actually take it. I could pay off my Mum (the debt I want to clear the most) and pay off the loan I took out in my sister's name (she knows about it don't worry!!) and clear mine and hubby-to-be's overdrafts etc and be paying less interest that I do now.

Maybe this will have turned out ok after all!!

Sarah Joanne, I'm a bit worried about you. Remember what site you are on!

I can well believe that you would be paying less interest than you are now, but I have 2 questions for you

1. How much interest would you be paying over the whole length of the loan? You could come out paying less every month, but paying an awful lot more over many years. Of course, this might suit your situation, but I know the lovely people over on the Debt Free Wanabee part of this site are very wary of consolidation loans.

2. MORE IMPORTANT - you were sent to a random bank/BS by your MSing company - have you checked what :money: has to say about the best loans available at the moment? There may be MUCH better deals out there!

Sorry to stick my nose in, but I did one of these shops as well, and came away thinking much the same thing, but when I costed it all out I realised I could do a LOT better by shopping around.......

(Also, the PPI insurance is RIDICULOUSLY expensive, isn't it!!! _pale_

Timmne

I did it too - nearly got a mortgage because the lady was so nice and we were shocked at how much they'd lend us!

Sarah_Joanne

Jobbingmusician - yeah I totally see where you are coming from. I will be taking out just less than what I owe now, and interest rate is similar to what i'm paying. The plan is to overpay the loan by pretty much the amount we are paying out each month less at the moment to ensure less interest is paid and it is paid off quicker. So basically we can pay the same off each month as we do now.

The bank I went to is my bank, I moved to them 6 months ago cos they were better than my previous bank who were awful and wouldn't even let me have a proper current account (old bank was Halifax for anyone who's interested).
So this should work out better for me. And it also means that my Mum and sister who currently have debt in their names that I pay each month won't have that any more. That will give both me and them more peace of mind.

And I am definitely not taking the PPI!!! It is very, very expensive. Besides which I have a very stable job, and the repayments are low so if I was for any reason unable to work my lovely Husband-to-be would be able to pay them from his wage.

I hope this has put your mind at ease a little! I have though this through and it is a good option in my situation.

Thank you for your concern x

TractorGirl327

bulktrans wrote: »

guys cud someone plz let me know if its worth doing GAP's Pizza ***** delivery job.........

Well, if you like pizza, yes

If not, no!!!

moi

MCE_Team wrote: »

Hello Secret Shoppers.

We have one remaining new show home assignment. Log on with the following details to see what assignment is available:

Login: http://shopper.mysterycustomerevaluations.com
Email address: The one you normally use to accept assignments.
Password: test (unless you personally changed it i.e. 1st two letters of surname & last 4 digits of home phone) N.B. these details are case sensitive.

If you are not yet registered with our company then apply here http://apply.mysterycustomerevaluations.com

Best.

Mystery Customer Evaluation Team.
www.mysterycustomerevaluations.com

Does MCE pay P.A.Y.E. or is it another Self-employed one? I see they say 'Freelance', but they ask for your NI number which would suggest P.A.Y.E.

Timmne

Self employed - I wonder if the NINO is to do with making you identifiable against others with the same name....

Sarah_Joanne

I noticed another company asked for my NI no. when I registered with them but I can't remember who it was - I work for them self employed

Hollypear

moi wrote: »

Does MCE pay P.A.Y.E. or is it another Self-employed one? I see they say 'Freelance', but they ask for your NI number which would suggest P.A.Y.E.

I have just had an email from Mark from MCE. He has asked me to let all you posters in England know there are coffee shops available now located around England. I did 2 a few days ago and the coffee was superb. Mark gave me the details and the fee but I am not sure I am allowed to put the fee on here. If I am let me know and I will let you know. Put it this way it is certainly more than Gap and at least you are getting a nice coffee rather than a garbage burger. They are mostly located in town centre stations so if you can combine it with other MS's you will be glad of the free coffee.

I think the NI request is jst for verification you have right to work in the UK. MCE do not do PAYE.

I am happy to take up any queries for you.