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Adelaide Mum Earning $1,000 Monthly Through Mystery Shopping
Ri Springbett, a 37-year-old mother from Adelaide, has discovered a lucrative and flexible side hustle by engaging in mystery shopping at major retailers such as Woolworths, Bunnings, and Costco. Through this venture, she has been able to earn an impressive $1,000 per month, an income stream she turned to as a response to the rising cost of living in Australia.
Need for Additional Income
Springbett started pursuing side hustles last year with the goal of alleviating the financial pressures associated with raising a family of three. She shared her thoughts with Yahoo Finance: “The cost of living for every Australian is a hot topic at the moment.” She sought to balance her family responsibilities—such as school runs, volunteering, and looking after her nieces and nephews—while still finding ways to enhance her income without committing to a conventional 9 to 5 job.
Mystery Shopping Explained
Mystery shopping involves consumers visiting businesses anonymously to evaluate the quality of service and customer experience. Springbett has been managing around 15 mystery shopping assignments weekly. Payouts vary by task; for instance:
- $10 for shopping at Woolworths.
- $4 for purchasing lollies at Costco.
- $26 for asking questions about tools and safety gear at Bunnings.
Despite the breadth of opportunities, she mentions that the volume of available jobs is so significant that she often has to decline offers due to time constraints.
Opportunities for Flexibility and Earnings
Springbett’s experience highlights the vast opportunities available within mystery shopping, particularly in Adelaide. “The opportunity is huge out there," she notes. She has discovered that while tasks vary in length—ranging from 2 to 20 minutes depending on job complexity—the potential earnings can be substantial, with her highest-paying assignment yielding $40.
Mystery shopping not only provides her with added cash but also allows her to conduct these tasks concurrently with her regular shopping. For example, she integrates mystery shopping into her routine by completing evaluations while purchasing essentials at places like Costco or even petrol stations.
A Rising Trend
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of March, over 963,100 individuals were engaged in multiple jobs, representing 6.5% of the Australian workforce. This marks an increase compared to historical averages, attributed to various factors, including underemployment and cost-of-living pressures. Indeed career expert Sally McKibbin notes there’s been a significant rise in people looking for supplementary income in the current economic climate.
Conclusion
Springbett wholeheartedly recommends mystery shopping to others, praising its flexibility and engaging nature. She advises aspiring mystery shoppers to focus on producing high-quality reports, as this will enhance job opportunities. Furthermore, she finds practical ways to incorporate these tasks into her daily life, effectively blending work and family responsibilities.
In a world increasingly strained by financial pressures, the rise of side hustles like mystery shopping is proving to be a valuable lifeline for many Australians navigating the current economic landscape.
