Monetising Travel – How to Make Money as You See the World

If you are an avid traveller, you will probably have a long bucket list of destinations around the world. But being on the road or in the air for a good part of the year is easier said than done because everything boils down to money in the end. You cannot expect to splurge your savings on a whim unless you own a fortune. Moreover, it isn’t practical to take extended breaks from work to satisfy your wanderlust unless you can make money as you travel.

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The idea sounds exciting, but it is easy to believe that it is practically impossible. However, there are ways to monetise travel, and they are very real because thousands of globetrotters do it. You can actually use some actionable ideas to earn as you explore your favourite destinations far and wide. Here are some ideas shared by adventure lovers who have achieved the feat of monetising travel.

Rent your things back home 

You can start making money even before you embark on your trip. Letting your assets work for you when you are away is a great idea. Consider locking up a room for yourself and renting the rest of the house to pocket some extra dollars as you plan to travel for months. It is a smart move because you will not need to worry about the maintenance and security of your place. Just make sure you have a reliable tenant, which you can easily do with some basic background checks on them. You can also rent your car to get some cash flowing in and ensure that the vehicle is getting some use whilst you are away.

Freelance online 

If you are serious about taking up a nomadic lifestyle for good, becoming a digital nomad can keep you going financially even without a stable job back home. Consider your skills and leverage them for getting freelance opportunities online. Web developers, graphic designers, copywriters, and digital marketers can easily find projects online. You only have to spend a few hours with your laptop every day, and you can make enough to carry you through the trip. The best thing about freelancing is that you have the freedom and flexibility to work anytime and from anywhere, provided you have a stable internet connection. You can work as a freelancer for the long haul, even when you return.

Sell your experiences 

Travel buffs love sharing their experiences with family, friends, and fellow enthusiasts. The good news is that you can monetise your experiences by selling them. You can explore platforms to sell travel stories and pictures and make good money while doing something you love. Look for one that accepts content in different languages if you want to use your native language.  Consider starting a travel blog and monetising it if you have excellent writing skills. Blogging requires consistency, hard work, and patience to generate revenues, so selling your story on a platform is a better idea if you want to start earning right away.

Take language classes

International travellers with extended stay programs can make good money by taking language classes at the destination. Native English speakers get an advantage in most parts of the world because it is easy to find people willing to pay to learn the language. You can even teach other languages such as French, German, and Spanish because they are in high demand globally. Some countries allow you to work with a tourist visa, so explore your options with schools and libraries. It is easy to find jobs if you are fluent enough because such institutions look for teachers with high skill levels. 

Sell your skills

Apart from leveraging your linguistic abilities to earn while travelling, you can also sell your skills. It is easy to find opportunities if you have a distinctive skill, such as proficiency with a musical instrument, a deft hand at painting, culinary skills, or expertise with photo editing. Start with a bit of advertising, which wouldn’t be a challenge if you are creative and resourceful enough. You can choose to have classes in a public park and invite people with social media promotions or on supermarket notice boards. Once you have a few people around, more will follow to learn your skill.

Make things to sell

Creative travellers can also make money by selling pieces of art. Consider setting up a live stall at a tourist hotspot if you are good at sketching and painting. You will probably attract tourists who want to make memories. If you are good with crafts, carry your supplies on the trip and sell your creations while you are there. You can sell at your accommodation, collaborate with independent stores, or even showcase them at a local market. Tourists and locals love collecting unique souvenirs, so this is an opportunity that you shouldn’t miss out on. 

Find seasonal work

Finding seasonal work at your destination is a good idea if you plan to stay for a couple of months. Peak season travel is expensive, but you have good chances of getting an odd job to sustain. For example, you can work at a summer camp for youngsters, find a fruit picking job, or even offer services like cooking and playing music at your hotel. Selling goods at Christmas markets is a good idea when travelling in the holiday season. Other popular seasonal jobs include giving swimming lessons in warm destinations and working as a ski instructor at winter resorts.

Making money as you see the world is easy, and there are more opportunities than you imagine. You only have to look for work at the right places and keep an open mindset. Working as you travel will make the trip more enjoyable as you get to do something different and meet people. The best part is that you get extra money to splurge or save up to buy gifts for loved ones at home. Most importantly, you get an experience that stays with you for a lifetime.