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Adelaide Mum Earns $1,000 Monthly with Mystery Shopping
Ri Springbett, a 37-year-old mother from Adelaide, has discovered an innovative way to earn extra income—mystery shopping. This side job not only helps her supplement her casual earnings but also aids in managing the rising cost of living for her family of three.
Exploring Mystery Shopping as a Side Hustle
Springbett began her journey into mystery shopping to find a flexible income source that would allow her to maintain her family commitments. According to her, “The cost of living for every Australian is a hot topic at the moment,” and she was seeking opportunities to improve her financial situation without compromising her role as a mother.
“I wanted to generate extra money for travelling, investing, and paying off the mortgage, all while juggling my responsibilities such as school drop-offs and volunteering,” she explained.
How It Works
Springbett engages in around 15 mystery shopping assignments each week, visiting popular retailers like Woolworths, Costco, and Bunnings. These jobs often involve purchasing items and then reporting on her shopping experience. She shares that the reimbursement for purchased items contributes significantly to her earnings.
For instance, she received $10 for a Woolworths mystery shop, in which her expenses were covered. Additionally, a job involving the purchase of lollies at Costco earned her $4, while a query about tools at Bunnings paid $26. According to her, the work opportunities have increased significantly: “The amount of mystery shopping work available is huge, to the point that I’m actually turning down jobs because I don’t have the time,” she noted.
Flexibility and Earning Potential
The amount of time it takes to complete these jobs can vary; task completion and subsequent reporting may take anywhere from two to 20 minutes. As Springbett continued, “The highest-paying job I’ve done was $40, and I estimate I’m earning around $1,000 a month from mystery shopping.”
This surge in side hustles aligns with broader employment trends—recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that as of March 2023, about 963,100 Australians, or 6.5% of the employed workforce, are working multiple jobs. This figure reflects an increase compared to historical norms, emphasizing the rising appeal of flexible work arrangements amid economic challenges.
A Trend in Side Income
Experts from Indeed have reported an increase in the number of Australians taking on multiple jobs due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Many are underemployed, seeking additional hours to boost their income. This has led to a notable rise in white-collar workers juggling multiple roles, with one in ten reporting they hold multiple full-time positions.
Springbett advocates for mystery shopping, seeing it as an exciting and flexible way to earn extra cash. She began with platforms such as Smartspotter and Snooper, highlighting that anyone can start this side hustle. She stresses that high-quality reports can increase the likelihood of more job offers, allowing her to integrate mystery shopping seamlessly into her daily life.
Realising the Benefits
Ri often combines her personal errands with mystery shopping tasks to maximise efficiency. “If I plan a trip to Costco, I check for available mystery shop opportunities in advance.” She frequently accepts assignments while she’s already out doing her regular shopping, earning money while managing her household duties.
Springbett’s approach not only provides financial relief but also adds a layer of excitement to her routine, showing that side hustles, especially in the mystery shopping sector, can be both rewarding and practical.
In conclusion, for those looking for flexible earning opportunities, mystery shopping could be a viable option to consider. It’s an approach that blends the necessity of shopping with the chance to earn a little extra on the side—all while managing the demands of family life.
