Planning--It's a Must!

I have twelve shops I am going to complete today! I have four banks, four gas stations, two grocery stores and a fast food place! Several of these have to be done before 3:00! Planning your day is a MUST! I usually get all of my paperwork together and then I start putting addresses into Google directions or you can use mapquest. I then start looking at the map to see which shop should be done first and so on! I also have to look at the time limits, if any, are on the shops. Today I have one shop that has to be done after 3:00, so that will be my last shop! I have to plan it out, or I won't be utilizing my time very well especially on a day like today. Tomorrow I only have six shops, but I still have to plan. I called two of them to get their Sunday hours and one doesn't open until 11:00 am and the other at noon.

Another important item to have is a GPS! Now you could always print the directions and use those, but a GPS is so much easier. One thing to keep in mind though when making your plans, is that some addresses may be for new businesses that are NOT in the GPS maps you have. I sometimes I have to use the GPS on my iPhone. Sometimes the address that I am given is not a very good one(you wouldn't think that, but it does happen) and then I have to search for that store on the Internet to find the address or even call to find out where the store is located.

I'll also have a busy night tonight with input! I will have four sheets per bank that I have to scan, rename and resize! I will have receipts for the other stores that have to be scanned. It can be a lot of work, but at least I am doing it from my computer while watching TV and I can take as many breaks as I want! I am home with my kids and can wait until Elijah goes to bed to do my input! Some shops have input that is very easy and some have input that can be more complicated!

Overall, I have to say, mystery shopping is a nice part time job! Oh and I am off on Monday from teaching, but I'll be out doing shops that day! I think I only have five!