How to Make Money While Traveling
This is probably the most important video of the entire course for many of you.
Many of the answers you’re looking for will come from the interviews section of Module 5 as well – where I ask individuals exactly how they are able to travel and make a living in the process.
In this Article, we’re going to talk about “Work And Travel Abroad Programs”.
As you know by now, this was a major point of concern for me on my maiden voyage as well, because I almost ran out of money in the first two months of living abroad!
While it took some serious determination, persistence, and putting myself out there – I found that bartending job in Argentina that allowed me to stay for a year.
Ultimately, that job bought me time to start making enough money on the blog to turn this into a career.
There are a million different ways to make money while traveling, but in this video I give you the top 5 most common ways to fund your life on the road…
1. Work Remotely or Work Online
We discuss this concept in previous sections, but the information around “working online” is truly limitless.
As I’ve mentioned, if you have a job that you want to keep, simply ask your boss if you can do the job remotely.
Obviously, some jobs are better setup for this transition than others.
Second step, if working at your current job remotely isn’t an option, you’ll need to leverage your strengths to become “location independent.”
Website development, graphic design, product sales (Etsy store), drop-shipping, affiliate marketing, content creation, and freelance writing are some of the most popular online jobs at the moment.
Read: The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
In regards to becoming an “influencer;” or someone who makes money by utilizing their own audience – this will take time to build.
Despite what the Facebook and Instagram ads tell you – 90% of people trying to build their personal brand won’t make substantial money in their first year of business (much like a regular business).
I don’t want to discourage you from doing this, I just don’t want to feed you BS.
I am happy to discuss this in much greater detail in the Travel Deeper Bootcamp Facebook Group.
In the meantime, if you want to develop your personal brand, I suggest reading Crush it by Gary Vaynerchuk (yes, the same guy who talks about flipping garage sale items) and Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller.
*Check out my interviews with Mashon, Liz, and Averi about working online in Module 5.
2. Teach Abroad
This is very straightforward, because it works; tried and true.
In module 5, we talk to a number of people who funded their travels abroad through teaching.
This is a great way for you to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, make money, and gain life experience.
On top of this, If you wanted to combine these first two money making options; there are a number of programs that allow you to teach English online now.
Teaching Programs:
Dave’s ESL Cafe – One of the oldest and most useful Internet resources for overseas English teachers and job seekers. Includes discussion forums and job listings. Not the most user-friendly or cutting-edge search, but a solid list of teaching jobs.
What Do I Need to Teach English Abroad? (blog post) – A step-by-step guide to helping you navigate the process of teaching abroad.
What are the Requirements to Teach English abroad? (blog post) – A basic overview of the requirements needed to teach abroad.
ESL Job Feed – An eclectic source of English teaching and related job positions available on the Internet from around the world.
If teaching abroad is the direction you want to go in, check out my friend Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Teaching Abroad for more detailed information.
*Check out my interviews with Drew, Taha, and Nick about their experience teaching abroad in Module 5.
3. Work in the Service Industry
Just like in the last section, I want to stress this option again because it takes the least amount of knowledge or background to get into – Working at a hostel, hotel, resort, bar or nightclub, is something virtually everyone can do.
The difficult task with this option is putting yourself out there and networking to find an “in.”
There are many tourist-friendly areas around the world that need English-speaking employees.
If you have a particular skill set, take this a step further and work at a resort or local business as a chef, yoga instructor, massage therapist, or interpreter.
Places to find local jobs:
- Craigslist.org
- Workaway.info
- Alliance Abroad
- Gumtree.com.au (Australia)
- NeedU.com (Australia)
- Backpacker Jobs (Australia)
Alliance Abroad – Experts who match “awesome people like you with exciting international work and travel opportunities.” Limited to work in United States, Australia, and Spain. There is a cost to this service, so please do your research first.
BUNAC – BUNAC is a global work and travel provider. As part of STA Travel Group, they are a well-established organization that offer work and travel experiences in 6 continents. Again, there is a cost to this service, so please do your research first.
Jobs.GoAbroad.com – Browse international jobs and programs that most interests you. CIEE – Online program that helps facilitate study abroad programs, work exchange programs, and professional development.
4. Work in Travel
One of the best gigs I’ve ever had was filming for a group of Australian tourists who traveled around Brazil for the World Cup in 2014.
Months prior, I reached out to every single tour company I could find on the internet that was getting involved in the World Cup and emailed them. Out of probably 75+ emails I sent asking if they needed help, I got one response – that’s all I needed!
Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- Apply to become a tour guide for an established company, or do some research and start giving free tours excepting tips as payment.
- Find out what events are happening in the places you’re going, and apply to work for them (i.e. Yacht Week in Croatia).
- Look into seasonal jobs like ski instructors, deck hands, or dive masters.
- Go to travel conferences and ask big travel and tour companies like G Adventures, Top Deck and Contiki if they’re hiring.
- If all else fails, work on a cruise ship!
*Check out my interview with Brock about working as a photographer on a cruise ship in Module 5.
You can also join travel platforms like Travel Massive for news and updates about jobs in travel.
5. Become an Au Pair
Now is your chance to finally leverage all of that babysitting you did when you were younger!
An Au Pair is essentially a live-in babysitter. This is a great gig for making money and having your housing paid for – you just have to be good with children to make it work.
Au Pair Sites:
- CulturalCare.com
- AuPairCare.com (host families in the USA)
- AuPairWorld.com – Trusted platform to find AuPair jobs around the world.
*Check out my interview with Christian about working as an Au Pair in London on in Module 5.
In regards to working visas, many countries such as Australia, Canada, and France have great Work Holiday Visa programs for young adults to stay in the country for an extended period of time to work and travel.
Helpful Article: The American’s Guide to Working Holiday Visas
These are the top 5 most attainable ways to make money while traveling.
Again, check out module 5 to get 20+ examples of how other people have been able to make money and travel long-term. From day-trading the stock market and building a million-dollar drop-shipping business, to copywriting and website development be sure to listen to those interviews for more examples and money-making advice!If you’re in need of more examples, here’s a great article from my friend Matt of ExpertVagabond.com: 40 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling The World
