Ways to Make Money While Traveling.
Do you love meeting new people and exploring different cultures? Perhaps you're a keen learner and love embracing exciting languages too. There are ways to make money while you travel and see the world, and find out what the “nomadic lifestyle” is all about.
Traveling is a great way to broaden your horizons. In 2020, the world was ravaged by the pandemic and you may have had to hit the pause button on your international voyages. But with the pandemic now in the rear mirror, and people around the world getting back to their lives, it's time to start planning your next trip again.
However, money doesn't grow on trees, and adopting a nomadic lifestyle may not sound easy when you don't know where your next paycheck is coming from.
What if I told you that while you travel, you can also earn the money you need to survive and meet your daily needs?
Money Strategies for Travelers
1. Freelance on the Go
One of the best ways to earn money while traveling is to become a part time or full-time freelancer. Or take short term contractor type jobs overseas. Imagine it. A professional lifestyle that is not dependent on your location and free of the 9-to-5 timings in most corporate cultures. You can work as per your own schedule and travel as you please.
Sounds like a dream? It isn't. If you have a skill set that you can market online, you can easily freelance remotely, make some money and travel to your heart's content. All you need to work is a laptop and a working internet connection.
If you need inspiration, Google the name of popular digital nomads like Chris Brogan, Mike Elgan and Tim Ferriss. Their journeys will get you thinking on how to go about starting off your own freelance journey!
How can you get started?
- Create an account on freelancer platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
- Update your LinkedIn profile.
- Look up remote gigs on job bulletins such as WeWorkRemotely.
- There are many other freelance websites out there, and almost all have jobs that can be a great fit for the nomadic lifestyle. Find the best freelance job websites.
2. Teach English
Languages act as the universal bridge between people of different nations. Many countries, and most travelers, at least attempt to speak it. No matter where you go in the world, you will find people willing to learn a new language. What better language than the most universal one of them all: English itself? Even without certifications, you can easily teach people languages, both online and in-person.
How can you get started?
- Look up language teaching gigs on freelancer platforms like Fiverr. Find other remote tutoring websites to teach English.
- Check local community boards and online forums for teaching gigs.
- Visit Dave's ESL Cafe and scan for opportunities.
3. Volunteer
Volunteer work isn't known for its amazing pay BUT it can definitely help build your resume. And what's more: it's a fantastic cultural experience to sign up for.
As part of the volunteer option, you may also get accommodation and food for free, cutting down your travel expenses significantly! By connecting with local communities and NGOs, you can drive an impact. It can also open up the doors for paid work later if you make a great impression!
How can you get started?
- Get in touch with your charities and NGOs of choice to see if they require travel-and-work volunteers.
- Check out volunteer programs like Worldpackers and WorkAway.
4. Start a Travel Blog
Travel blogging is a competitive space but if you break through the noise and establish yourself, it's a great way to make good money or even a passive income to pay your expenses. By writing about your travel experiences or making money as a “nomad”, you can attract more traffic to your site and eventually, monetize your content.
Here, the mindset is not that you make money so you can travel. You travel to make money.
How can you get started?
- Subscribe to travel blog newsletters for inspiration.
- Check out existing travel bloggers' and learn from their success.
- Sign up for Nomadic Matt's Superstar Blogging course to learn your way to a successful blog. We also have steps to take to blog for income
5. Affiliate Marketing!
This method ties into the previous way of making money and can be done together! If you have a blog or website (doesn't have to be a travel blog) with sizeable traffic, you should consider affiliate marketing
This means adding in a new revenue stream by promoting third-party content on your site. You will often get a commission for every successful purchase that comes through your site. With time, the steady flow of income you make through affiliate marketing can supplement your travel efforts.
How to get started?
- Check out Affiliorama for free lessons.
- Research your niche and the kind of products they'd be willing to buy.
- Explore popular affiliate programs like Amazon's or Bluehost's. Or use a service such as Instagram. Find details on how to make money using Amazon
6. Take Stock Photos
Are you a skilled photographer? Do you have a good eye for amazing photographs?
If you're traveling to exotic locations, a great way to make money is to sell your photographs. Just use your smartphone, or a DSLR camera, to take pictures of your overseas travel and Nomadic lifestyle. While this isn't guaranteed to make the most money due to high competition, you never know how it might click!
How to get started?
- Set up your own site for selling stock photos.
- Sell to existing stock photo sites like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock.
- If you have a GoPro, submit your best work for the GoPro Awards.
- Find other details on selling pictures for extra cash.
7. Buy and Sell Local Products
People love handicrafts and cultural trinkets. While you're on your trip, you can shop around the local market and buy hand-made products and antiques that catch your eye. While you should nab a few for yourself, why not sell the others online at a premium rate?
How to get started?
- Research online to see what local products and handicrafts people are interested in.
- Hit up the local markets for an eventful shopping spree.
- Sell your products online on sites like eBay, Etsy and Amazon.
- Other arts and craft websites will also allow you to sell items you buy on your travels. It is a great way to get paid for your shopping. Find the best online marketplaces - thrift type stores.
8. Fruit-picking and Farming
Have you got an affinity for farming and physical work? Do you like getting your hands dirty?
Fruit-picking and pitching in at farms when seasonal demand spikes up is a great way to make money. This is still very in demand in more emerging countries you may travel too, such as those in Africa or SE Asia. Some farmers also offer their workers a place to stay. This means you can take in the full farm experience!
How to get started?
- Check out Indeed and local job boards. Search for "seasonal", "farm" and "fruit".
- Explore local websites through refined keyword searches.
- Network in the local community. The local grapevine can land you a gig!
9. Work at a Hostel
Another way to save money on housing/rent and earn your living is by working at a hostel. In exchange for some pay and a free bed, you can pitch in with manual labor and other tasks. You can also network on the job and meet other travelers or digital nomads. Or find other ways to save money on rent and housing while traveling.
How to get started?
- Visit Work In Hostels's website.
- Drop-in at well-known, local hostels and ask them if they have any vacancies.
- Mention your technical and language skills to negotiate better rates.
10. Be a Bartender
Chances are, if you land a gig at a hostel, you can also pitch in at the connected bar. Bartending is a fantastic add-on gig to pick up while traveling. Not only can you get paid an hourly rate, but you may also make a lot more money through generous tips.
How to get started?
- Check in with hostel and hotel managers in the region for bartender gigs.
- Learn the local language to get a leg up over others.
- Mingle with tourists and hit up their hot-spots as research to see their favorite bars.
11. Do Local Performances
Are you a talented singer or dancer? Or you are an influencer online? Do you like sharing your skills with pedestrians? Consider becoming a street performer or opting for performance gigs at local bars and restaurant scenes.
How to get started?
- Check to see if the country authorizes street performers.
- Do your research on sites like MeetUp for local hotspots for performers.
- Practice your skills and get ready for show-biz!
- Sign up for a social network to monetize your world travels. Get tips to making money on Youtube.
12. Rent Out Your Asset
If you're traveling and you haven't got a family that uses your car or house, you could rent them out. Your assets like your vehicle and house are a great way to make some passive income while traveling. When there are websites that rent out tuxedos for hundreds of dollars an hour, there is surely a market for housing and easy transport too!
How to get started?
- List your car on Turo or other local sites for car rentals. Learn more on how to make money from your car, and you can do it while you travel.
- List your house on the most popular house rental platform, Airbnb.
13. Become a Tour Guide
If you've been in your destination of choice for a long period, chances are you've become familiar with the place. Why not use your knowledge to show other tourists around and make an extra buck while you're at it?
How to get started?
- Go around tourist hot-spots and offer your services to backpackers and others looking for a tour guide.
- Check in with the local tourism office if they want guides.
- Brand yourself as a foreigner who lives like a local to make yourself relatable.
14. Do a Work Exchange
A paid alternative to volunteering, work exchanges allow you to discuss with a host and book your tickets to travel and work simultaneously. They can be nomadic travel gig type jobs, local positions, or any type of job. Contracts vary depending on the nature of the job, and learn about types of freelance jobs.
How to get started?
- Check out HelpX and contact hosts to see if you're a good fit.
- Explore WWOOF, if you're interested in pitching in on organic farms.
- Get in touch with international friends who may be willing to sponsor you for work in their country.
15. House-sit to save on rent or housing.
Have you ever watched the movie "The Holiday"? While swapping houses at Christmas time with Kate Winslet or Cameron Diaz may not be on the horizon, it's a great idea to take inspiration from. Exhcnaging homes is done in most countries, and save money on rent as your travel by swapping homes.
House-sitting allows you to stay rent-free at someone's place and explore their city. It's a great way to save on expenses and have access to a whole new world at your feet.
How to get started?
- Reach out to your international friends. Is anyone interested in a swap?
- Check out house-sitting websites like MindMyHouse and TrustedHousesitters.
16. Do Small Jobs
Temp jobs are a great way to make money on the go without making a full-time commitment. You may even be aboe to do them remotely from the hotel, hostel, AirBnB or hotel you are staying at. If you like experiencing different things, you can also try out many different jobs and build up your skills!
How to get started?
- Check online platforms like Fiverr and Upwork for remote temp jobs.
- Explore the local temp agency for gigs in your locality.
- We have an extensive list of work at home jobs, including remote ones. Find legitimate work from home remote positions.
17. Cruise Ship Jobs
Being employed on a cruise ship is a fantastic way to get worldly travel experience and network with fellow voyagers. Jobs may include helping customers out, food preparation, cleaning, and more.
Cruise ships will make a comeback once the world settles into a post-COVID environment. You can get a head start and prepare yourself.
How to get started?
- Read Wandering Earl's ebook on how to work successfully on a cruise ship.
- Check out cruise ship job boards online like All Cruise Jobs and Cruise Ship Job.
18. Teach Yog
Yoga is a popular meditative exercise and practice that countless people around the world look to learn. India, for one, is a place where yoga teachers are in abundance. If you're already a keen yoga practitioner, you can pass on your wisdom for money!
How to get started?
- Become a certified yoga instructor (this will build credibility.)
- Set up your own website/yoga studio and attract customers.
- Advertise locally or in the community.
- You can also teach yoga online.
19. Edit Menus and Signs
Imagine you're out on your travels and you come across a poorly written slogan in English or another foreign language. The owner may have been trying to appeal to tourists and foreigners but isn't a master of the language themselves. You can make a quick buck by offering to help them fix it.
How to get started?
- Take a picture of the incorrect sign/menu.
- Reach out to the owner and communicate the corrected version.
- Offer to help on an ongoing basis.
- You can also check out Translator gigs on Upwork.
20. Work at a Resort
Imagine being at a beautiful resort or summer camp in a different country. But even better: imagine working there.
Instead of going as a prospective customer as you travel, you can work as part of the in-house help. Not only do you get to stay at the resort as an employee, but you can also enjoy the scenery!
How to get started?
- Look up local and popular resorts. Check out their 'Careers' page.
- Search on Job Monkey for related opportunities.
- Ensure your contract also gives you the flexibility you want.
21. Become an Expat
If you're looking for a more safe and secure way to make money while traveling, you should consider the corporate route. Working as an expat means staying in a foreign country for some time as per the contract and mingling with the local culture daily. Millions of people already do this. They are so called “full time” nomads.
Being an expat provides a great cultural experience and builds diversity in individuals. For example, an expat may move with their families and provide children an international learning experience, and the opportunity to grow as a global citizen. The exposure could change your life!
How to get started?
- If you have a full-time job at an international company, get in touch with your Human Resources team and explore opportunities for a transfer abroad.
- Look up international jobs on professional job portals like Indeed and LinkedIn.
- Ask for referrals from friends living in foreign countries.
22. Use technology including smartphone apps
As you travel, use your technology to make some money (or save on your travel costs). There are apps as well as websites that give free cashback for any spending you do. Or use technology to quickly write reviews, monetize your social media accounts, and leverage technology. Become a true digital nomad.
How to get started?
- Download a app such as Sweatcoin that gives you rewards, rebates, or even cash for walking.
- Get cash back for any spending you do as you travel. Several apps, including Honey and Ebates, will compensate you for spending money.
- There are other resources out there as well. Find a list of money making apps.
Final Takeaways of the Nomadic Lifestyle
Traveling and earning on the go may seem super daunting. But you never know what you're missing out on until you give it a try! Now that you've equipped yourself with a number of different different ways you can make some money or even start a new career with a pro-travel mindset.
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