Mystery shopping- legitimate opportunity or scam?

A couple of RV workers I know have tried out mystery shopping as a way to make money. They did make some—though did not get rich. Most assignments do not pay much. One income limitation is that you usually can't go back to the same company as a mystery shopper for six months or more. Unless you are in an area with lots of businesses or traveling to cities, you may not get many assignments.

Some mystery shopping ads, though, are really scams. They sell certification (not necessary) or have membership fees (stay away from those). There could be a money-back guarantee, though more often than not, you won't be able to track the company down to get your money back. A new twist to the mystery shopper scheme is to include a cashier's check with your materials, which you are supposed to cash and then resend via Western Union to a "fake" relative in Canada. Of course, you are out that money.

Snopes.com has an informative article that is a must-read for anyone considering this line of work. Also, check out the Federal Trade Commissions' alert on mystery shopping. Basically, if the company wants money, avoid it.

For legitimate opportunities the FTC recommends the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. (Interestingly enough, they have a certification program! It is optional, however.) You can pick up some extra cash this way and get paid to shop. For some that's a great incentive! Just be cautious and research the company first. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Fireworks for 4th of July!

As we travel across the Midwest states a couple of weeks before the 4th of July, we have passed many fireworks stands, usually clumped together in the same area. Often they are just outside a municipal area that does not allow sales.

Selling fireworks can be a short term opportunity for workers on the RV road. Workamper News often has ads for managing a fireworks stand. You work on commission. Most promise a minimum of $1500 and work begins this weekend through the 4th, though stands are busiest the two days before the holiday. Right around New Years is another time some fireworks stands are open.

Be sure to ask plenty of questions. If you'll be providing security at the stand in your RV, will you have electricty? water? a porta potty or someone to pump your tanks? If you are paid commission, is that percentage figured on gross sales or net? Do you have to line up helpers for those last couple of days and does that come out of your earnings?

It's also a good idea to get feedback from other Workampers who have tried this type of work and who have worked for the owners you are considering. Posting a thread on the Workamping forum or other forums on working on the road can help you avoid the few employers who do not follow through on their promises.

Like selling Christmas trees, running a fireworks stand is hard work but you can earn a nice sum in a short period of time.

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Midwest agricultural jobs

Driving through Kansas passing miles of corn fields reminded me that hybrid corn needs to be detasseled. What's that? In order to get cross-pollination, the tassels or flowers of some rows of corn are pulled out so they are pollinated by another variety, making a stronger, sweeter product.

Corn detasselers work from eight days to three weeks in July - it depends on weather - and get paid per row. According to one agency, someone really good at their job can make $2700 in three weeks. When I step out in the already hot, humid, sunny days here in Kansas and Nebraska, I find it hard to imagine working all day in these conditions. Perhaps that's why most corn detasselers are students. Still, if you are in good shape and want a good workout, check out the information at Sunshine Enterprises or Team Corn. These companies do not provide housing, though may have a free spot for you to camp.

The wheat harvest also employs people, though mostly truck drivers and drivers of combine tractors. Other mechanical skills are helpful. Most companies want a commitment for the season as they travel from farm to farm, following the harvest. Meals and housing are provided. U.S. Custom Harvesters has classifieds from a number of companies seeking workers.

Seasonal and short-term job opportunities for RVers are not limited to working in RV parks or camp hosting. Even if detasseling corn or driving for the wheat harvest are not your thing, it's nice to know other possibilities exist. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

More about trucks

The July/Aug issues of AARP has an article about retirees finding second careers driving big rigs. According to Rob Reich, vice president of recruiting for Schneider National Inc.- the largest trucking company in the United States - the trucking industry is short 20,000 drivers and will need 100,000 within ten years. One-third of Schneider's drivers are over 50.

What appeals to one couple who drives for Schneider's is the income, chance to travel and a strengthened relationship. An experienced driver (or team), driving 1,775 miles/week can earn $60,000. Of course, you do need a CDL (commercial driver's license). Schneider's even has a truck-driving school for qualified candidates that is almost no cost if you work for them afterwards.

Schneider's also participates in AARP's Mature Worker program and have a "home run" program which allows for 17 weeks off.

Drving a big truck may not be the relaxed way of traveling we RVers enjoy, but if you need to earn income for one reason or another, you can work as a team and still travel. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Free job newspapers have other driving jobs

Whenever I travel I pick up the free job listings papers found with the real estate books, etc, in supermarkets and on street corners. In Jobs Close to Home, which I found in the Denver area, there was an ad for an ice cream truck driver for the summer. Sounds delicious! You can work part- or full-time.

Also, in this same issue, a propane company is looking for seasonal delivery drivers, though in this case, you need a CDL with Hazmat and airbrake endorsements. Hours and days are flexibile.

These free newspapers can be a good source for jobs. Many specialized agencies advertise, leading you to temporary jobs in your skill area. Job fairs are also listed. Sometimes an opportunity that is not listed as seasonal work could work out for you. For example, Fed Ex is looking for part-time package handlers. If you could make a six-month commitment or wanted to work around the holidays, they could very well be interested in you. Another company is looking for people to transport railroad crews. No CDL required, home daily. It's worth asking. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Earn money driving: CDL not needed

Last week I flew from Colorado Springs to Phoenix. Next to me was a fellow who earns extra money by driving for auto dealers in the Santa Rosa, CA area. Larry might go pick up a car at another dealer's place, take one from his employer to another's or pick up cars bought at auction. Once he had to bring back a car from Denver, but most are one- to two-hour trips. He has a regular job and does this when he can, so it is not a full-time job for him.

Most of the time at least two cars are involved since another driver and vehicle is needed to either take the driver to the pickup point or bring him/her back from a delivery. Larry prefers driving the chase car (the one delivering the drivers). The drivers are supposed to caravan but often the full-time drivers want to hurry back so they can get on the list to get another assignment, while Larry sticks to the speed limit.

Larry explained that you can work for one or more dealers as an independent contractor. Or, in cities, there may be a driving service that provides drivers. In any case, drivers get paid by the job, not by the miles they drive. Larry advised that if you are looking for this type of work, go to a car dealer and ask if they need drivers or if they use a service.

If you want to hang around a city for a season, you might be able to pick up some extra money this way. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

January '08 Workamper Job Fair tickets on sale

Workamper News will be hosting job fairs in three locations next January. Tickets are on sale.

The locations are:

1. Lakeland, FL January 10-11
2. Mercedes, TX January 23-24
3. Mesa, AZ January 29-30

Subscribers pay $3.50/ticket, while non-subscriber tickets are $7. Order early and receive a free "Lovin' the Lifestyle" sticker. If you do not have a copy of the magazine, you can print out the order form here.

Employers will be interviewing candidates for jobs and giving out employment information. A number of seminars will be offered as well. Check the Workamper.com (see Job Fairs under the Job Seekers category) for more information. Hope to see you at one of them! Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

The legality of "war driving"

War driving is a term for driving around an area and checking to see if you can pick up an unsecured WiFi signal, often with a WiFi detector. Once you find a signal, you can download e-mail and use the Web. We've picked up signals from motels and other RVers that were unsecured and used them.

In some places this could be illegal and a felony at that. Pete Doddato posted a comment on the post "Connecting to the Internet" referencing an article on FOXnews.com about a fellow who was arrested for picking up a signal outside a coffee shop. In Michigan, a law, introduced in 1979 to protect Internet and private-network users from hackers, and amended in 2000 to include wireless systems, makes piggybacking off of Wi-Fi networks, even those without a password, illegal.

Under the Michigan statute, individuals who log on to a Wi-Fi network with the owner's permission, or who see a pop-up screen that says it's a public network, can assume they're authorized to use the network. If not, they could be subject to prosecution.

It is important to have an Internet connection for many workers on the RV road. They can check forums, receive the daily Hotline if they are Workamper Plus subscribers, and research jobs and areas. There are times when your usual Internet connection does not work.

It would be difficult to know if you are in a jurisdiction where piggybacking on a signal was illegal. Perhaps the mistake this fellow made was coming back to the same location day after day and not getting out of his car. Had he bought coffee, he would have been a customer and entitled to use the signal. However, sitting in the same spot for days, the owner of the neighboring business got suspicious—not because he was using his computer— but because he thought he might be a stalker!

We do occasionally try to find an unsecured signal when we can't set up our Internet satellite dish for some reason. I'm sure many other RVers do the same at times. Be aware, though, that you could be breaking the law. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.