Making Money While Travelling – Strategies for Backpackers to Stay on Budget
In case your travelling on a tight budget, for this example backpacking around the world, the idea might have crossed your mind… I wonder if I can make a little money while I’m travelling, in order to travel for extended? Using the internet in every corner around the globe now it’s becoming easier and easier… Depending on how much work you would like or how deeply you need to integrate into a foreign country there plenty of options. An excellent starting point is in Travel writing. It’s liberated to do even though your backpacking who are around you will most surely form your own observations and opinions, why not share all of them with other travellers making a little money on the way. If the idea is music to your ears then here are a couple options I’ve found:
Writing for Travel Websites: This can a good way to create a little cash, sharpen your ability as a copywriter and obtain deeper in to the countries you traverse. Sites like Matador and Boots n All will pay somewhere between $25 -$50 for articles, that isn’t a lot but view it this way – in case your already in a country then why don’t you think of an angle and write a tale about it, what’s to loose? Plus it will likely get you from the tourist trail and in to the heart of this place.
Keep a Travel Blog or Website: By doing this is a little more involved than the last but it will pay if your ready for a little hard work. Starting your own Blog couldn’t be easier and there’s a wealth of great resources available on the internet that can help. This method require more Admin and you’ll have to be a writer, a marketer, cope with advertising and web site design… But I’ll say it again, the rewards could be big. I understand Travel Bloggers that earn more than $2000 a month doing just this and that i keep my own Blog about Backpacking all over the world on a tight budget
Learn how to teach English: Again a wealth of resources are available relating to this but your best choice is to get accredited with someone like TEFL – the best placements often visit TEFL certificated people. This really is more of a long term option but it provides you with the opportunity to really get underneath the skin of a community so that as time passes you’ll only get better at it. It might be a terrific way to pay for yourself while you backpack around the world and make a difference to the folks you meet.
Use Your Own Skills: this really is something many people overlook, they leave the house not expecting their current group of skills to apply… Not true! Take hairdressing for example, many western travellers won’t want to tackle the language barrier having a local beautician and instead let it hang low… But there’s plenty of money to be made at busy guest houses a keen backpacker on a budget…
This really is my no means comprehensive but it is a starting block that should be considered by any backpacker or traveler on a budget. Team these ides with saving money like using CouchSurfing.com and Skype and you will see your budget stretch much further than you ever expected.