I would like to thank Yassine for publishing this article. His website is a great and inspirational place for anybody looking to travel or just to make big changes in their lives. After reading this post, I highly recommend you check out this video he posted for any one looking for a bit of motivation to travel or otherwise!

 

 How many times have you heard people say that if money were no object then they’d never stop traveling? It’s true that traveling can sometimes be expensive and that you require some sort of income to make it happen, but that doesn’t mean that to travel continuously you have to be a millionaire!

If you’re willing to take the time out of being a tourist and put in some hours of work then it’s easy to make enough money on the road to continue your adventure. There are many different routes you can go down when looking for a way to earn while traveling. Here are five of the most common ways long-term travelers make a living, along with quick tips on how to pursue them.

 

Work Online

One of the easiest ways to earn money while traveling is online. This is perhaps the best way to do it, as all you require to get paid is a WiFi connection. While more experienced travelers have built their own blogs and earn money from sponsors and investors on there, for beginners it’s easy to pick up freelance work no matter how much experience you have.

Sites such as Upwork and Elance provide great platforms to connect with potential employers and offer work in a wide variety of job areas from writing, photography, video editing, animation and programming. However, there are a few important things to remember when pursuing this career choice.

First, you have to find a way to balance travel and work. Just because you’re self-employed doesn’t mean you can miss deadlines and let down clients. Similarly, managing your online security has to become more important than ever before. Losing all your work on the go is a guaranteed disaster. Because of this, you must make sure you have good firewall and anti-virus software and are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which will encrypt your data and protect you from hackers when using unsecured public WiFi networks.

 

Work Locally

This is perhaps not considered as regularly as it should be. It’s actually surprisingly easier than you’d except to find work when you’re abroad. Particularly if you’re an English speaker, many tourist bars and restaurants look for staff with knowledge of the culture and language of the clientele they cater for.

You can also look for seasonal work such as promoting clubs, bars and bar crawls during the summer seasons or working in ski resorts over the winter. Another option is to look for tour guide companies, many of which will jump at the chance to find someone who specializes in a language other than their own.

Finally, maybe English-speaking companies run call-centers abroad so doing the research and tapping into one of these is a great way to ensure employment. In fact, when considered, it’s actually a great benefit looking for work in a country that does not speak your first language.

However, the one problem with this type of income is that you have to continuously look for work whenever you move on. Because of this, it’s advisable to locate the work before continuing to travel and head in the direction of where the jobs are.


Workaway

Workaway, and the many different companies like them, offer a fantastic deal for travelers looking for adventure without very much money. Job offers from these sites allow workers to find placements and jobs in exchange for accommodation and food. This can be a great option as, alongside being able to keep your budget small, you also get the opportunity to find amazing experiences and absorb yourself into local culture. A lot of the work is extremely ethical so you can also end up doing some good along the way.

WWOOF is a similar organization that finds workers to volunteer on organic farms, allowing for more eco-conscious travelers to give back to the environment while they’re away. Although this is perhaps one of the easier options to pursue, as there’s always a plethora of work of this nature available, there is one major drawback. Because the work is completely unpaid, travelers need some sort of savings for spending money in order to explore the surrounding areas and enjoy their free time.


Find Your Craft

There are many trades that are valid and sough-after no matter where in the world you are or what language you speak. If you can hone your skills in one of these selective crafts, then you can travel the world continuously with no problem! If you’re a musician, busking is a great way to ensure an income wherever you go, and if you’re really lucky, you might even be able to secure some local gigs. This can also be applicable for any sort of performance art, for example dance or circus skills such as fire-play, juggling, poi and hula-hooping.

Similarly, trades such as jewellery making and artwork can be practiced anywhere, all you need is a sign and a few ready-made products. This also goes for hairdressing. It’s very easy to stick up a notice in a hostel, and in no time, you’ll have a queue of travelers lining up eagerly to get their first haircut since they began their trips! There are even some strippers who use the profession to travel so there’s no shortage of options for trades you can pursue!

 

Teach
This is probably one of the most stress-free and secure ways to earn money while you travel. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses are becoming increasingly popular, and once qualified, it’s extremely easy to pick up work teaching in English language schools around the world. Employment of this nature gives you a specified contract and wage so it’s easy to budget and plan your time around the job.

However, if you’re not willing to lose the freedom, as committing to full-time employment usually entails—many schools require up to 30 hours of work a week—then you can chose to go down the route of private tutoring instead. Websites, such as Craigslist, are a great place to find clients wanting to improve their English and working in this way means you have far greater control of your schedule.

 

Earning money while traveling doesn’t have to be hard. These are just few of the many options you have to easily create an income that will leave you capable of traveling indefinitely. If you have any more suggestions that you think should be included in this list or have advice about any of those already mentioned, then be sure to leave a comment below.

 

Obsessed with the beauty and the wonder of this wide world since before she could walk or even talk. Jess Signet was always exploring as a toddler. As soon as she finished school, she was off and around the world. she has spent the last 3 1/2 years (and counting) exploring every corner of this incredible globe and she doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. – You can connect with her @JessTripelio