With a little help from our friends!!

I have been receiving such wonderful responses in my cries for help!  I'm going start this weekend by spotlighting the wonderful responses that I have received so far.  Please visit my friends at the provided links so you can see what they are up to and get a feel for what they do!
Let's start with mrsmomx6.  She's an odd job momma who wanted to share a few things with you!
"I've been a SAHM for 6 years now and I have been doing survey's on line the entire time. Make some money, earn some points, test some products.
I mystery shopped for years but quit 3 years ago when they shops began demanding more and more that I shop alone, which is IMPOSSIBLE. But I've kept the list with a lot of the company names along with the list for the survey companies.
I put out the word through my neighbors and my kids friends that I babysit, so I can pick up $40-$100/week watching a kid here or there for an hour or so. Depends on the week. I never take on more than a few kids.
One friend does house cleaning on the side, another one sews, one sets up blogs for others."
Thank you Mrs. Mom - We're going to revisit you as well with some follow ups on the sites that you use!

http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/

Marlee isn't a SAHM - she's got a super fun job as an ICE CREAM TRUCKER!!  Here's her post:
"Hey! I'm not a mom yet, but me and my mom have our own business...we own our own ice cream truck! We built it ourselves (or you can usually buy one). You need a business license and a food purveyor's license (neither are very expensive) and when you go to get licensed they will usually come by and inspect your truck (to make sure the blinker's, lights, etc are working).

It's a fantastic job for the summer (or anywhere pretty warm). In a decently small town we easily made $100-$200/day (profit), and in the bigger town we live in now we usually make $200-$300/day (profit). We usually take 30% of whatever we take in for the day and save it for business costs (buying ice cream, truck repairs).

It's a bit of a tough job though, so if you want something more along the lines of a relaxing desk job, this might not be for you. The hotter the day is typically the more you sell. So 100 degree days where you want to stay inside isn't really an option. There's no doors on ours (way too annoying to open and close every few minutes) so there's no air conditioning or anything. We typically run it from about 11:30 in the morning till sundown (roughly 9:00 at night), so the days get pretty long. You're also going about 2 mph driving down the EXACT same streets you've been driving down all summer, so that can get a little bit old too. The music can also get on your nerves, as there's basically nothing you can do to tone it out.

It's worth it though (for both the money and the memories of seeing the kids so happy). My last blog post was actually about the truck, so if you want to check it out it's at: www.marleeindebt.blogspot.com. "

Sounds like a great family business to be in!

Here's Kerry from SEW PIZZAZED - (If I had a little girl, I would be going NUTS on this website!)
"To stay at home with my two boys, my husband and I started an online store a year ago. It is slow going, but lots of fun. I have learned to sew and embroider and really love what I do. http://sewpizzazed.com/

Margot has a great post:
"Wendie, between gardeing, travel, and enjoying my grandkids, I write children's books - 11 published so far. If you would like to learn more about them and me go to Margot's Magic Carpet: http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com// I also run a Manuscript Critique Service, with clients that from all over the globe. I do it all from my writing lair at home. Margot Finke http://www.margotfinke.com/ http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/

Gina from Totally Full Of It:
"Well, I wish that I had the money to buy a bunch of equipment and start my own video editing business - I absolutely love making digital memories for major milestones. However, dog walking isn't a bad way to earn a little extra cash in the warm weather!  www.totallyfullofit.com

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

Okay, while I'm writing up some reports on what I'm working on for you, I want to hear from you.  What are the odd jobs that you do?  Do you have a creative side?  I want to hear about it!  I'd like to start featuring Momma's that have it going on!  Start leaving me comments about what it is that you love to do!  I'll get your voice heard

Cake website and ideas for you!

If you look at any of my older posts, one of my "jobs" - which I don't like to think of as a job because it is something that I LOVE - is making cakes.  I've decided to make a business of it.  It's called Key Signature Cakes - A Melody of Cakes by Design.  I'm a piano teacher (another "job") as well and it was one of my students that came up with the name.  Learning a song with a key signature instead of constantly writing in the sharp or flat sign was the homework assignment for the week.  Then she and her mom came up with the title and it was a clear winner!
Back to the idea of the post.  I went on a google search for free website design.  I came across http://www.wix.com/.  It was amazingly easy to make a website for myself to promote my new business adventure.  Check it out at www.wix.com/wendierodgers/key-signature-cakes.  I am using the basic design package right now which is free.  I'm posting anywhere that I can and asking local friend to post on facebook as well.  That's all free promoting.
What is your "job"?  There's always a way to get yourself heard.  Have you tried http://www.etsy.com/? That's a wonderful site to promote yourself and what you do - when you have a product to sell.  Is there a craft that you love?  Do you have an idea to promote?  Take the time for yourself to market yourself.  There are thousands of free resources out there.  You can get your name heard anywhere. 
I have entered several blog giveaways.  I'm in the process of getting Odd Jobs Momma a whole new, more professional design.  I got it done on the cheap because I was blog hopping and found a website that I loved to read (http://www.frugalinvitation.com/.) Her web designer offered a discount for her readers.  What a wonderful way to get this done.  I can't wait for the redesign to be complete.  Then I won a blog makeover through http://www.bellycharms.com/ and http://www.craftyhippodesigns.com/!  So, I'm getting my personal blog a makeover as well.  ENTER THOSE GIVEAWAYS - it's like what the lotto says - you've got to be in it to win it!
I also got involved in another website http://www.voiceboks.com/.  This is a wonderful resource for all bloggers - a great community that really promotes helping each other's blogs out.  We all spend time checking out each others blogs and Lexie Lane (one of the administrators) is virtually "holding my hand"  and guiding me to a better blog! (You should also get involved in their year long blog hop!!http://oddjobsmomma.blogspot.com/2011/05/awesome-year-long-hop-get-on-it-get.html

I hope this gets your brain spinning a bit.  Feel free to contact me if you have questions or have more advice!

Mystery Shopping Info

Mystery Shopping is something that I had thought of doing seven years ago when I had my first child.  I did a lot of looking around and googling and really only found scam articles.  That was sad and I left the idea alone.  Since I started blogging, I have been open to a whole new world. It is part of the reason that I started this particular blog.  Resources are aplenty now with the world at your finger tips.  Due diligence should always be first and foremost however.  Hopefully, with the help of me, you're going to have an easier and swifter time frame of finding out what's legitimate!

Let's begin, shall we?  First, I started at http://www.mspa.com/ and looked for shops within 20 miles of my zip code.  This sometimes doesn't work out well for me because I am on Long Island.  Connecticut is less than 20 miles north of me, so I get a lot on the list that truly wouldn't count for me.  But, if I want anything on the east end of the island, I need to set my parameters that far.  I also do like to stay close to home.  I had one day where I did my shops in one big circle in between errands.   That was truly convenient.  Many of these companies get, let's say a chain restaurant.  Now, I live within 5 miles of 3 of these restaurants in all directions.  So, I apply to the job, and if accepted, I email my scheduler to make it a breakfast/lunch/dinner in one day.  Then I schedule a 2 mile walk on my treadmill for the following day in between typing up my reports.

The reports.  Some are VERY detail oriented.  Others, not so much.  One of the shops that I did was mostly yes/no questions and with every "no" that I answered, I had to give a brief sentence on why it was.  Others, well, you could write a novel but if it's not to spec (exactly the way they want it) you're not going to get paid.  (NOTE TO SELF:  when they tell you to read the instructions and sample report, do it)  I really could have saved myself a lot of time with the last report, but, I was trying to take shortcuts and , well, it took that much longer. 

So, now, on to the websites.  Here's what I have so far:

Consumer Perspectives - http://www.customerperspectives.com/  They have paid me within the specified time frame from when I filed my report.  Emails were answered promptly. 

Insula Research - http://www.insularesearch.com/ Had no problems scheduling double shop in one day and has me scheduled to be paid on the 15th of next month.

I have several applications out still and waiting to hear back.  Try these two out for now, if it interests you (and it probably does if you've gotten as far as this sentence!)

***GIVEAWAY UPDATE***

**click READ MORE at bottom of post if entry form does not show up**
My giveaways of a $5 Starbucks giftcard and $5 paypal is completely seperate from THE FRUGAL INVITATION giveaway! 
These are being promoted seperately and you can enter below.  (if you already entered, I have your entry and you do not have to fill out the new form)  ***you must be a follower to win!***

For extra starbucks and paypal giveaways, go to www.facebook.com/oddjobsmomma and 1.) "like" me and then leave your comments on the picture of the giveaway that you want!

THEN for the other giveaway, go to http://www.frugalinvitation.com/ and enter to win a Tastefully Simple gift pack from me as well and a whole bunch of other wonderful giveaways!!