I just returned from an amazing two weeks in Austria, the land of the alps, music, fine food, and, of course, the Danube River. Packing for Austria was simple: black (everything), a warm coat, hiking boots, and a plan to eat just one meal a day. Some of the same rules apply with restaurants in Austria as they do in America. In fact, I recently wrote a Helium article on how to save money at restuarants and it works in Europe as well!


For traveling, I only have one carry-on (small) and a light backpack (small). I wear a money belt which is a must and my Passport is concealed on my person (with a copy at home and in my suitcase with extra photos in case it needs to be replaced). With all the traveling I do as journalist, it's a must to travel light and to eat light! I can almost walk past a French pastry (boulangerie) without being tempted, but Austria was a little more difficult because the Austrian tea houses are so charming. And if you're not careful, you half to do some extra alpine walking to ward off calories.



My travels this time brought me to the charming town of Bad Gastein, Vienna, Salzburg, and Villach (close to the Italian border). I flew out of Newark into Brussels, then to Vienna, and took a five-hour train ride to Bad Gastein. I could have done without the five-hour train ride, but at least I was able to catch up on my sleep. I arrived late at night, took a taxi to the hotel, which was once a palace for Austrian royalty, and awoke the next morning to a sight I will never forget.

Arriving at night in freezing rain and then opening up the curtains in my hotel room to the magical splendor of the snow-covered alps is something I will never forget.

In all my travels (Switzerland, Italy, Belium, Germany -- to name a few!), I have to say that Austria takes the "torte." Simply amazing!


Until next time...have a "dooh-da-day"!



For a slideshow presentation of the trip: Click here.

Mystery Shopping Basics

As I prepare my e-book on mystery shopping which will be due out in the spring of 2010, I want to be able to take you on some shops with me so you can get a feel for what it's like to be a mystery shopper. Normally, my shops require eating out at five-star hotels and resturants (not a bad gig by any means). Other times, I do a little role playing and pretend I am shopping for a retirement home for my parents.

This was a new assignment for me, so I carefully read my instructions and guidelines, memorized my script, made my pre-call to set up an appointment, and I was off on my "new" assignment. What I did not anticipate was the pouring down rain, the traffic, my GPS device sending me to the wrong location, and getting a parking ticket because there was streetside side parking only and my meter expired while I was performing the shop.

I learned a valuable lesson that day, sometimes "more is less." The fee of $60 was simply not worth the $15 parking fee, the 45-minute interview, and the two hours it took to write up the report. I went back to mystery shopping basics, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

As an independent contractor, I am always in the driver's seat and can decide whether I want to perform the shop or to decline it. Upfront fees don't always tell the entire truth. You decide what your time is worth, not the mystery shopping company. In the future, if I choose to take those particular types of assignments, I will negotiate for mileage reimbursement and parking fees. Going back to the basics is crucial in performing any shop, something I momentarily forgot!

Until next time, happy shopping!


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Stay Free in Luxury Hotels

Did you realize you can stay free in international hotels? It's one of the perks of being a hotel/spa mystery shopper. One of my favorite companies is Coyle Hospitality. Of course, you have to write about a 7,500 page report, but it's worth it. These hotels are five-stars and include some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, including the famed, Mandarin Hotel.

But if you don't feel like writing,why not take up the offer from Rancho Bernardo, a 200,000 acre luxury resort in San Diego -- named by Conde Naste as Number One. The economy has taken its toll on this luxury resort with three pools, a golf course, and three restaurants. You can now book a "room" for $19. Well, it's not exactly a room -- it's a tent! Survivor packages start at $219, but you can get a rock bottom price of $19.

The $19 price includes a tent, but nothing else...you must bring your own toiletries, including the toilet paper. But at least you're guaranteed "four walls."

Hurry up while the sale lasts. The promotion runs from August 16-31. Happy trails to you!

Till next time, have a Dooh-Da Day!



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Copyrighted photo.

Mystery Shopping and Making Money!

Not all mystery shopping makes you money -- at least not right away. Some mystery shops are called "reimbursement only," which means you do the shop and get paid later. Most of these "shops" are restaurant dining, hotels, spas, and "yes" cruises.

Before you get too excited about the thought of dining out for free or taking a cruise, remember that you need to work your way up. You don't start out in mystery shopping by taking a cruise. No, you have to prove yourself by doing timely reports for less money first. When you do excellent work, turn in great reports, and don't "flake" on assignments, you will be offered more lucrative mystery shops.

One of the fastest ways to earn your way up to the top is to get your MSPA silver or gold credential. All of these are offered at the MSPA website.

Remember: If you have to pay to be to get a shop, it's a scam. However, in mystery shopping, sometimes you pay for a dinner at a fine restaurant and then are reimbursed for that meal (4-6 weeks later), and sometimes you are also given a fee for the report (anywhere from $15 to $25).

A few of my favorite companies are: http://www.a-closer-look.com/ and http://www.coylehospitality.com/.

Have fun shopping!

Eating My Way into the New Year!

I have the best job in the world! I'm a mommy and I get to stay at home and make money. No boss telling me what to do. It's a dream come true and it happened over three years' time and now I'm going to share with you my knowledge...how you can do what you want to do and make money too. That all adds up to a "Dooh Da Day"!

Today I wrote several online articles, while I did the wash. I edited two more articles, got paid from PayPal for the work I did last week, and collected a $60 check from a mystery shop last month, and $200 from an article two months ago.

Did I major in journalism? No. Can I write? Yes! But you can too and I'm going to show you how. Writing from the internet is simple, once you know the basics.

Since it's (almost) the New Year and I've been writing (too much) and not exercising (enough), I need to take my on advice and start my exercise and eating program. Check out this article.

Till next time, have a Dooh-Da Day!



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