.

Swinging it financially by travelling and making money on the go

This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links means that sometimes if you click through to a website and register or purchase something, we may get a commission from that sale at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more.

Have you ever dreamed of taking one or more sabbatical years and travelling the world without stressing over things like how you’ll make ends meet or manage to journey long distances and periods without breaking the bank? If so, it’s time you consider making money while roaming around your favourite cities because there’s no better occasion to gross some income while travelling than nowadays. Studies show that a surprising 54% of individuals keep performing work tasks during their vacations, be it as a digital nomad, under the remote work policy, in apprenticeship, freelancing, or other possibilities. 

By earning some bucks, you’ll reduce your money-related worries, become able to travel for longer or return home and leave on more city breaks consecutively. These are the most popular and reliable ways of making some money while travelling, so let’s discover what suits you when it comes to stretching your dollar to calm your itchy feet!

Working holidays 

Working vacations have risen in popularity over the last decade, offering wanderlust seekers opportunities to commence their journeys financially safeguarded. This may imply applying for credit before hitting the road, though it’s crucial to ensure you’ll be able to pay your debt, meaning that you’ll have to be 100% certain of your undertaking. This being said, let’s break down the ins and outs of the working holiday visa because you may need one depending on the country you’re leaning toward. 

A working visa is usually a document that allows foreign citizens to enter a country for work-related reasons. This type of certificate enables one to work legally within a country and is generally regulated by governments to help foreign workers comply with immigration rules. Moreover, it safeguards foreign employees’ freedom and rights. 

It tends to work under a certain, pre-determined time, within which you’ll have the right to work legally and protected by law before you’re obliged to leave the country. More likely than not, you’ll have to work with an agency to organize the essentials of your trip, such as identifying an employer and a job for you, working as a go-between, and possibly, receiving a commission from your paycheck in return. It’s helpful to know how long you’ll stay in the foreign country as you’ll be able to plan time- and destination-related details.

For instance, if you want to work in Australia, visas here work for a whole year, after which you may reapply for another one if you want to extend your stay. This way, you know you’ll need an eSIM to eliminate costly roaming fees and enjoy blazing-fast internet and unlimited data within the region, preferably finding time to click to find out more about them before your departure to secure your mobile connection. In the U.S., on the other hand, it’s one of the necessary documents to allow a non-citizen to go through the port of entry and inside the country. The best part is that various mobile data plans allow foreign workers or travellers to keep in touch with those at home during work-related stays. You’ll just have to reach out to the agency representing foreign workers you find suitable. 

House sitting 

When homeowners leave their dwellings for extended periods, usually weeks or months, to go on sabbatical journeys, remote jobs, or vacations, they may pay a house sitter to move into their property. This happens for a variety of reasons. For instance, they may need someone to care for their pets or plants constantly. On the other hand, they find solace in knowing that their house is inhabited so that malicious individuals don’t think of breaking into the home or vandalizing their property’s exterior. More often than not, people find this type of agreement highly appealing because they know what’s at stake for both parties. It’s important to note that some homeowners may need to hire personnel to visit the house within a pre-determined timeframe, such as once a day. 

House sitters tend to inhabit the place, reducing your costs as a foreign traveller and lightening their financial burdens while they’re away. In layman’s words, it is a win-win for both the homeowner turning into a renter and you, as a tenant, looking to stretch the dollars. You may need to perform tasks like dusting, mopping, plant watering, vacuuming, airing rooms out, sweeping, etc. 

On the other hand, as a full-time job, you may have to do outdoor maintenance tasks, collect packages or mail, patrol the property for security threats, and respond to home emergencies like water leaks. 

There are two types of house-sitting jobs and more ways to get one, so review your needs and skills and determine which would be your best fit.

Freelance services 

With dozens of platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork that provide opportunities to use your skills and make money on the go, meeting your financial needs while travelling becomes a breeze. You’ll need a mobile device with an internet connection and an account on the platforms to unlock the opportunities to earn some bucks, with writing, social media management, blogging, and web design being among the most sought-after services. 

Every freelancing gig involves persistent work to build an attractive profile that speaks for you and exhibits your experience. This market is overcrowded, and the competition is fierce, but it’s not impossible to make a name out there if you’re good and determined. For instance, in the third quarter of last year, Fiverr boasted 4.2MN active purchasers and 380K sellers, seeing 27.1% of the visitors turn clicks into conversions. 

Sell photos

The market for photography rises by leaps and bounds, meaning that some excellent skills and quality equipment could be enough for you to sustain your trip financially while travelling. Several platforms buy keen photographers’ works, such as Etsy and Shutterstock, where you can sell any image you have taken.

You can shoot some unique views, capture the locals’ lifestyles, or immortalize the wildlife, to name a few. Platforms like these take a commission from your revenue, meaning that you’ll need to take and sell a lot of pics to make a noticeable difference in your finances. 

Now, what job would best suit your needs and wants? There are more opportunities to make money while travelling, but the ones presented above suit the larger category of working wanderers. 

Picture of Emma Drew

Emma Drew

Emma has spent over 15 years sharing her expertise in making and saving money, inspiring thousands to take control of their finances. After paying off £15,000 in credit card debt, she turned her side hustles into a full-time career in 2015. Her award-winning blog, recognized as the UK's best money-making blog for three years, has made her a trusted voice, with features on BBC TV, BBC radio, and more.

Well done