Got old gadgets just collecting dust? You can turn them into Amazon gift cards, and the best part — they don’t even have to work!
How to get a job as a mystery diner
Any restaurant worth its salt wants to know what it’s doing right and what it’s screwing up. And they’re willing to pay you for that info. But they can’t just judge servers and kitchen staff when they’re on their best behavior. They need someone undercover.
Enter mystery dining. Restaurants get genuine feedback and you get to eat out for free. I found out how to have your cake and eat review it.
How it works
Yes, you really get your food free of charge, including tips and travel expenses, usually in the form of a voucher or gift card.
It is a job, though. You’ll have to give a ton of feedback about your restaurant visit. How was the food? How was the service? What could’ve been better? You’ll need to have an eye for detail and a good memory. You’ll also need to take some photos as part of the trip.
Oh, and you won’t need to worry about an awkward confrontation at the table. You’ll submit all your intel afterward to the company you’re working for.
Most of them have online portals, too. Once in their system, log into your account, check available assignments, choose one to complete and upload your results.
Who are these “mystery” companies?
Mystery dining agencies act as a middleman between you and larger restaurants that pay them for intel. Here are a few of the most reputable:
- Second to None has been in the biz for 30 years and can get you gigs in high-end and fast-food dining. Pretty sure getting paid to critique an In-N-Out burger is Barry’s dream job. They also work in retail if shopping’s more your speed.
- Eye Spy CC focuses on dining and has excellent reviews from reviewers who, uh, review for them. Shoppers report getting large enough budgets to go to high-end restaurants and really enjoy themselves. Nice!
- Market Force is another heavy-hitter in dining and retail. Diners say vouchers usually start small, but once you’ve worked with a company for a while, you can get larger assignments and additional pay.
FYI: This is a “secret” from restaurants but not from the IRS. If you make over $600 with any org, you must file a 1099 like a regular independent contractor.
How to apply
Surveys that can make you a ton of cash (really!)
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People always call the show and ask, “How do I make money with online surveys?” I tell them two things: First, you’ll probably earn gift cards instead of actual cash, and second, those gift cards could be worth $50 with the right sites.
🌀 Send cash, not cans: After severe floods hit Central Texas, relief orgs are begging people to stop donating old clothes and expired soup (paywall link). Money is faster and way more useful. ADRN is turning cash into gift cards for displaced families. Meanwhile, scammers are already circling like vultures, so triple-check before you Venmo “FloodRelief25.” Only donate through verified sites.
$10 Amazon gift card
If you donate blood through the American Red Cross. Here’s a link to find a site near you. The giveaway ends Oct. 31, so don’t wait too long.
Non-tech gifts for the person who has everything
Amazon.com
Do you have someone on your list who is known for being impossible to buy for? We all know at least one person who buys exactly what they want when they want it, leaving us scrambling to find something they don’t already own.
Shopping on Black Friday? Here's when your favorite stores open
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If you’re brave enough to shop on Black Friday, you know the importance of a game plan. Some folks prepare by lacing up their running shoes; others are ready to throw some elbow jabs. We prefer the non-violent approach: Showing up bright and early to get a head start on the action.
🚘 Buy a car, get $2,300: You’ll score that in Amazon gift cards if you shop on Amazon Autos. You can see prices up front and customize your ride right from your couch. When you’re ready, schedule a pickup, sign the paperwork at the dealership and drive off. In about two weeks, you’ll get two emails from Amazon, each with a $1,150 gift card.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
💸 Imagine winning the lotto: I bet you have. A Hillsboro, Missouri, couple thought the magical moment was real when someone told them they’d won $17 million. All they had to do was pay taxes upfront. They mailed over $800,000 in cash and gift cards to random addresses until their daughter figured out what was going on. They’re not getting that money back.
Look out for this new gift card scam
Heads up, last-minute gift-givers! Be wary of a widespread scam when picking up gift cards this season.
2 sites to get gift cards at a discount
Want to buy gift cards at a discount? Listen now to discover some secret specialty sites that let you buy gift cards for low prices.
This new COVID scam tries to lure you in with a refund on your phone bill
© Amazingmikael | Dreamstime.com
By now, you should know that scammers and criminals will do almost anything to get their hands on your data and money. There is seemingly no length that they won’t go to, even if that means using the pandemic as a lure.
Save money with this handy online shopping-comparison tool
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Most of us have been regular online shoppers for years now. But since the pandemic began it’s really picked up and has become an important way to get the everyday staples that we need safely.
We’re not just ordering frivolous items on a whim when we’re bored anymore. Now we’re shopping online for everything from hand sanitizer to household cleaning supplies. Many have even started grocery shopping online. Tap or click here to find the best way to order groceries online.