The desire to travel the world and earn money at the same time is a dream for many. Fortunately, combining work and adventure has become increasingly easy these days. Thanks to the digital world, remote working is increasingly common, and more and more people are discovering how to travel while continuing to do their jobs. In this blog, I share the 10 best ways to combine your work with travel, and have a remote lifestyle (like me).
1. Freelance and determine your own workplace
It may sound easier than it is, but freelancing gives you the freedom to work from wherever you choose. Whether you work in marketing, design or finance, there is a freelance option for virtually every field. You are in control of your workplace, and can travel the world without being tied to an office. All you need is an Internet connection and the right skills. If you’re already a freelancer, a workation doesn’t really require you to ask permission for anything. However, working for a regular client or a large project requires a bit more coordination. If so, inquire early on whether it’s okay for them to have you temporarily work remotely.
2. Choose a flexible employer
Even if you are salaried, there are opportunities to combine travel and work. I myself worked as a salaried event manager for many years. Yet it was possible to regularly work from abroad. Many employers have become more flexible these days. Do you have a less flexible manager? Then start the conversation and discuss remote working options. There are plenty of companies that allow you to work temporarily from abroad. Looking for such companies? On workingremotely.co.uk you can find vacancies of companies where you can sometimes work remotely. Note that these are not fully remote jobs. They do give you the freedom to regularly work from a different place.
3. Start a lucrative sidehustle
Another way to make money while traveling is to set up a sidehustle. Think blogging, affiliate marketing, a web shop, crypto or investing. While you won’t generate passive income immediately, over time you can profit from your online activities, bringing in money while you travel. Want to start a sidehustle? I highly recommend the Sidehustle Toolkit from I’m Jan Modaal, which has also given me many valuable insights.
4. Teaching online from abroad
With the rise of online education, you can increasingly teach no matter where you are. Whether you want to teach English, Spanish or another subject, all you need is a good Internet connection and good language skills. This way you can easily share your expertise with others while you are abroad. I have come across many people while traveling who make a living this way.
5. Become a digital nomad
As a part-time digital nomad, I can say from experience that work and travel go together just fine. I have a home base in the Netherlands, but travel regularly. Some people choose to live completely as a digital nomad, leaving their home and workplace behind to explore the world. There are also more and more people who choose to live in a minivan. This offers ultimate freedom to work and live wherever you want.
6. Do a home exchange
With a house swap, you can save money on accommodation, one of the biggest expenses of a trip. There are many online platforms where you can swap houses with someone else. This way, you can find a nice place without paying for a hotel or Airbnb. All you need is a house to offer yourself. Then you can then choose who and where you want to exchange with.
7. Rent out your property
If you own your own home, consider renting it out during your trip. This can be a nice way to generate some extra income, especially if you live in a popular region or during vacation seasons. Platforms like Airbnb make it easy to rent out your property. However, pay close attention to the rules, especially if you live in a rental property, to avoid problems.
8. Babysitting children
If you love children, au pair work can be a fun way to live and work abroad. You can often live for free in exchange for taking care of children. This is an ideal option if you want to spend an extended period of time in a particular country and get to know the culture well.
9. Become a pet sitter
From cats to dogs to chickens, babysitting animals often takes you all over the world. This can be a relaxing way to earn money, especially if you are an animal lover like me. I myself babysat a cat in downtown Kuala Lumpur during my trip through Asia. That was an amazing experience, in which I stayed in a luxury apartment with insane views and rooftop pool. Something I could never normally afford.
10. Get to work locally
During your travels, you can also work locally. Many accommodations offer free lodging and meals in exchange for work, such as in a hotel, on a farm or at a campground. You won’t earn much, but the cost is virtually zero, making the trip affordable. At least you won’t go down in cost this way.
Ready for your remote adventure?
Do you already have an idea which way of traveling and making money suits you best? If you need help preparing for your remote work adventure, I can recommend the online course Remote Ready. Here you will learn how to properly prepare a workation, where to work and how to stay productive even from a sunny destination.
