Many people aspire to travel the world. While there are ways to do it more cheaply than ever, the cost is still out of reach for most people. But what if you could travel without spending a penny? What if you could even make money? From trading forex to teaching abroad, there are ways to achieve this. Many people would jump at the chance to meet new people, travel through beautiful landscapes, and satisfy their insatiable wanderlust. Fortunately, there are many ways to earn money while travelling. They aren’t easy, and most require a lot of work, but opportunities exist if you want them badly enough. So, if you’re planning and want to keep your funds up, check out these fantastic ways to earn while you travel.
- Freelancing – Do you want to live as a ‘digital nomad’? It’s easier than you think, thanks to freelancing platforms allowing you to apply for jobs from clients worldwide. To get started, you need a demonstrable skill in a sought-after area. Winning projects can be challenging, especially when you don’t have a proven track record. Still, after a few jobs and positive feedback on your profile, you should be able to find a steady stream of work. Some of the most profitable freelancing fields are web design and development, data entry, graphic design, content writing, and translation and editing.
- Buying & Selling – Online, you can buy and sell almost anything. Could you take advantage of it? What should I sell for money? It could be something you discovered on your trip. When visiting low-cost countries, consider shopping in small markets for handmade products to sell online. Or, even better, sell what you’ve made yourself! Handcrafted items are always in high demand. You could do it. Create your own website and launch your own business! It may not be easy initially, but it will become more flexible for you. Alternatively, open a shop on an already popular platform to increase traffic.
- Teach English – Teaching English could be a full-time, permanent job, a remote job teaching kids online while you travel, or picking up some temporary cover shifts to supplement your income. In some parts of the world, being a high-level or native English speaker is sufficient, but having an appropriate TEFL qualification will get you further and give you the skills you need to feel comfortable teaching. You will have the option of teaching in various formats and age groups, ranging from preschool to business professionals and everything in between.
- Photography – Photography is an option for those with a creative streak and a good DSLR camera. You can upload pictures of anything, as long as they are of good quality, to some websites and earn money every time someone buys the image for their website or advertisement. This means you can photograph the world, upload photos, and make money from anywhere. Even if you are not a natural photographer, you can learn the fundamentals by taking an online photography course.
- Hospitality – Many hostels, hotels, and resorts are looking for staff temporarily during peak season or on a long-term basis. Jobs range from receptionist to housekeeper to airport pick-up driver. Some of these jobs are paid, while others are unpaid. It is pretty common to work in exchange for a free bed and food. Not ideal for earning money, but it is a way to save money for travel.
- Travel Blog – This is my favourite way to earn money while travelling – though it is not the quickest! Building a business from the ground up takes a lot of time and effort at first, but the rewards can be enormous. Set up passive income strategies on your blog to earn money from ads, digital products, and affiliate marketing to get paid to travel and make money while you sleep.
- Diving Instructor – If you are a certified diver looking to work as an instructor, there are dozens of prominent scuba destinations around the world where you can easily find work. Checking the dive company’s website for openings is an excellent place to start, but asking directly at their office is the best way to find out if any positions are available. Also, keep in mind that cruise ships frequently require dive instructors.
