I order supplements online: Mix two scoops of collagen into your coffee or smoothie. I do this every morning to keep my skin, bones and joints happy. (Psst, it’s 45% off and you’ll get free shipping with my link.)
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
Own a Tesla? You’re a target
Hackers stole the names and home addresses of Tesla owners and shared them online. Here’s what you need to know.
📺 The real “Lumon”: Watch Severance? Companies that share their name with the fictional Lumon Industries from the Apple TV+ show are getting tons of comments from fans online. Lumen Technologies and Lumon Dental are leaning into it. But a glazing biz didn’t find it funny when asked why they treat workers poorly. It’s a fake TV show, people.
Over $500,000
How much AI scientists can make per year because the skills are in such high demand. The kicker? You don’t even need a computer science degree. Everything you need to learn is available online (paywall link). Remember, If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the precipitate.
Lock down your device security: If you’re still browsing, shopping and working online without antivirus software, you’re making a mistake. My trusted pick is $19 for the first year.
Avoid a Wi-Fi traffic jam: Most routers let you switch channels for a clearer signal. Log into your router’s online interface. (Check the manual or online guide if you’re not sure how.) Look for Wireless Settings and find the Channel option. Channels 1, 6 or 11 are typically less congested. Reboot your router and you’re good to go.
✈️ Heard of Jeniffer Castro? She refused to give up her window seat for a crying child and got filmed during the whole thing. Now, she’s suing the airline and the passenger who recorded her over the online hate and public shaming that followed. It got so bad she quit her job and stopped leaving her house.
⚖️ Google’s in trouble: The DOJ wants them to sell off Chrome, saying it has too much control over online search. They aren’t wrong … it has 3.4 billion users worldwide. Google’s clapback? Forcing a sale would hurt consumers, damage the economy and pose a national security risk. The case moves forward in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
Safety first: Look at the file extension after downloading a PDF online. You’re looking for .pdf. If the file name ends with .exe, delete it. It’s likely malware.
⚠️ One of the biggest DDoS attacks: Yep, it’s happening right now. A massive botnet appeared overnight, with hackers hijacking thousands of video recorders. The impact? Multiple online services are getting flooded with so much traffic that they’re crashing. Folks, this is why you should keep your devices updated with the latest firmware and use strong passwords.
I order supplements online: They’re more affordable that way, and I never run out. On my daily list: Collagen. Hit this link for 45% off NativePath. Their collagen mixes into coffee and smoothies, and it’s great for your joints and recovery.
Avoid a Wi-Fi traffic jam: Most routers let you switch channels for a clearer signal. Log into your router’s online interface. Look for Wireless Settings and find the Channel option. Channels 1, 6 or 11 are typically less congested. Reboot your router and you’re good to go.
🏈 Kicking off the ad dollars: All 32 NFL teams got busted for not warning fans that their websites and apps were collecting sensitive data and probably selling it all to advertisers. No notices, no easy opt-out, just silent tracking of your online behavior and location. You’ll start seeing privacy prompts now. As if the NFL doesn’t make enough money.
Delete it: Go ahead and remove the chat app Telegram from kids’ phones because “more than 90%” of drug deals and illegal gun sales start there. Telegram, of course, says crime happens on every online platform. I’m all for privacy, but kids don’t need encrypted chat.
I love it when things are functional … and mini. Mini is great, too.
- A universal charging cable, complete with USB, USB-C, micro-USB and Apple Lightning adapters.
- An emergency Advil stash (10% off).
- A $9 seatbelt slicer and safety hammer for escaping a wrecked car.
- An eyeglass repair kit under $5.
- An Apple AirTag holder (30% off). Ta-da! Your keys are now unlosable.
I order supplements online: Mix two scoops of collagen* into your coffee or smoothie. I do this every morning to keep my skin, bones and joints happy. (Psst, it’s 45% off and you’ll get free shipping with my link.)
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
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