Whether you love it or hate it, everyone has to go shopping sometimes. But what if you could get paid to shop? Believe it or not, you can! Here’s a list of 8 ways you can earn money while shopping, whether it’s a quick grocery run or a big day out at the mall. You can make some extra cash on errands or even turn shopping into a full-time career. Ready to start this weekend? Let’s dive in!
**Mystery Shopping**
Mystery shopping is one of the most well-known ways to get paid for shopping. It involves visiting a store, asking the staff some questions, and pretending to be a regular customer. Sometimes, you’ll need to buy something, and the company will reimburse you for the purchase in addition to paying for your time. After your visit, you fill out a short questionnaire about your experience and upload photos of your receipts and any other required pictures. Fees vary, but you might earn around £10 for a job that takes about 20 minutes in-store and another 20 minutes for the questionnaire. There are also mystery dining jobs where you can enjoy a meal out, though they usually won’t cover a partner’s meal. Here are some UK mystery shopping companies to try: Market Force, HGEM (specializes in dining), Grass Roots, and RedWigWam (often has online mystery shops).
**Retail Arbitrage**
If you’re good at spotting bargains, retail arbitrage could be for you. This involves buying items at a low price and selling them elsewhere for more, often on platforms like Amazon or eBay. It’s a flexible home business idea where you can start small and scale up. The Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program is popular for retail arbitrage because Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping for you. There’s a great free 7-day course that covers everything from choosing a niche to pricing your items and buying inventory. The course creator, Jessica from The Selling Family, turned selling on Amazon into a full-time business for her family.
**Get Cashback on Your Shopping**
Using cashback sites when you shop online can save you hundreds of pounds a year. Simply visit a cashback site, search for the shop you want to buy from, click their special link, and shop as usual. You can earn significant bonuses on things like broadband or utilities contracts, and many retailers offer 5%-10% cashback. The two biggest cashback sites are Quidco and TopCashback. Sign up for both and check which one offers the best cashback before you shop.
**Task Apps**
Task apps are like mini versions of mystery shopping. You get paid to complete small jobs in stores, such as checking if a product is in stock and taking pictures of the display. Tasks are completed via your smartphone and typically pay around £6 or £7 for a 15-minute task. Here are the top task apps to download: BeMyEye, Field Agent, Streetspotr, Roamler, and Clic and Walk.
**Scan Your Receipts**
Don’t throw away your receipts after a big shopping trip! Apps like Shoppix and Receipt Hog will pay you for them. Just take pictures of your receipts, and the apps will reward you with points that you can convert into PayPal cash or vouchers. Shoppix tends to pay better and cash out faster, but you can upload the same receipts to both apps for maximum benefit.
**Get Paid to Walk**
A big shopping trip can add thousands of steps to your daily total. With apps like Sweatcoin and BetterPoints, you can get paid for those steps. Sweatcoin gives you virtual coins for your steps, which you can exchange for freebies, discounts, and even cash. BetterPoints rewards you with points for walking, cycling, and running, which you can convert into high street vouchers. Both apps are slow burners but are worth trying since they run in the background.
**Become a Personal Shopper**
If you love shopping and fashion, becoming a personal shopper could be an exciting career. Personal shoppers help clients choose what to buy, often specializing in clothing or interior design. You need great people skills, creativity, and a good knowledge of trends. Many department stores and high-end shops hire personal shoppers, or you could go freelance and set up your own business. There are also personal shopper jobs assisting people with additional needs.
**Job Spotter**
Job Spotter is an app that pays you to take pictures of hiring signs in shop windows. You can earn from a few pennies to about £1 per sign, depending on how unique the sign is. Handwritten signs in independent shops pay the most. If you’re spending a day in a large shopping area, these signs can add up quickly. You can cash out your points for Amazon vouchers at any time.
So, next time you’re out shopping, why not make some extra cash? Give these methods a try and see how much you can earn!