Would you like to eat for free?  Get your oil changed for free?  If you have the time, they have the free services! Or if you’ve ever had a secret desire to be a spy, I’ve got just the spot for you!

Silver Fox readers, this communication is coming to you from a spy.  My grandchildren call me “Grandma Spy”.  The fact is that we need more senior spies and we pay you to do this!  Now that you’ve had a good laugh, picturing a 57-year-old with cloak and dagger, let me tell you about a serious way for Silver Fox readers to make money!

We are all consumers, buying everything from groceries to shoes to oil changes and time shares.  Because the Baby Boomer generation has a lot of spending power, companies want to know what we think and how we are treated by their employees when we go to a store.  The best way to get this feedback is to ask a typical customer – you!

While there has been bad press about this industry, hundreds of seniors mystery shop daily for free items and cash!  I’ve been a mystery shopper for Applebee’s Restaurants for the last 25 years, eating an average of a free meal a week from them.  When I travel, I generally eat at least 75% of my meals as mystery shops.  I also sleep free, and have taken two free cruises (myself and a companion) while being paid $750 per week for being on the cruise.  I recently took a mystery shop trip to Disney World. 

You have no start-up costs and very little out-of-pocket costs for this job.  If you can fill out a simple questionnaire and write a few paragraphs, you can do this.  The pay varies and is usually small, but the amount can add up and benefit you if you accept only shops in your neighborhood or for things that you would normally buy. You may need a digital camera for some shops, so be sure you meet the qualifications of the job.

Happy Shopping from Grandma Spy!

[Watch for Part 2 – How to Start Mystery Shopping]