How I Was Making $100 a Day Working as a Part-time Secret Shopper

Secret shopping jobs are real, and they pay quite well.

When I was in college, I had to be creative to pay for my expenses. I didn’t have enough savings to pay tuition and living expenses, and I refused to accept my parents’ assistance. I know, I know, it’s counter-intuitive: you should get all the help you can get. But I didn’t want to go to the Bank of Mom and Dad; I wanted to be a self-made person to the best of my ability.

Anyway, my goals and views don’t really matter right now. What matters is I found a way to earn extra cash on the side without working retail or at a fast-food place. There’s nothing wrong with doing those jobs! What I mean is there is an alternative, and working as a secret shopper was easier and more enjoyable.

Some jobs were better than others, but overall, there were days I’d make $100 in 5 or so hours. Had I had a car, it would have been more like 3 hours. But I got to enjoy the beauty of downtown Toronto, which was slightly more enjoyable than a French fries fryer. So, if you are considering a secret shopping job — let’s dive into the conditions, pay and expectations.

Table of Contents:
1. What is secret shopping?
2. Is it paid well?
3. What kind of jobs should I…