Do you dream of quitting your job, selling everything you own and jetting off round the world on a trip that has no end in sight? Yep, thought so. But unless you have lots of money in the bank or some very generous parents, you’re going to need to think about earning some money along the way. Luckily, there are loads of jobs out there which are ideal for those looking to live the travel lifestyle, from becoming a self-employed digital nomad to working on cruise ships and organic farms. Take a look at our list below, and get inspired!
Air Stewardess
Being an air stewardess can be pretty exhausting and is certain to involve quite a large amount of jetlag, but if you secure yourself a job with a big international carrier you could find yourself jetting off to some of the world’s most exotic locations and staying in some of the world’s swankiest hotels with your fellow crew. It’s a full-time job, but the pay can be pretty good and the experience is bound to be amazing.
Yacht Crew and Working on a Cruise Ship
Rich people need not-so-rich people to work for them on their private yachts, in the form of deck hand, cook, cocktail waitress…even a fitness instructor! If you prefer a little more room for maneouver, think about applying for a job on a cruise liner – working for 6 to 8 months at a time, tax free and with food and accommodation included means you could end up saving a fair amount of money.
Freelance Travel Writing/Blogging
It’s notoriously tough to get your foot in the door of some of the well-known travel magazines, but just one simple Google search will bring up hundreds of travel blogs willing to pay for your writing and travel experiences, even if it is only a few dollars. Those few dollars could pay for your breakfast, and the experience could eventually lead to greater things and better paying writing gigs.
Become a Digital Nomad
Covering everything from setting up and running your own blog, being a consultant, a freelance copywriter, web designer, developer, you name it – being a digital nomad is about taking your office on the road with you. You don’t have to look far to see how some top travel bloggers are making big bucks while fulfilling their dreams of travelling the world. But be warned….being a full-time digital nomad can be hard work!
Teaching English
The classic travel job, teaching English abroad is not to be taken lightly. If English is your native language and you have a university degree and TEFL qualification, you can literally go anywhere in the world and teach. South East Asia is a particularly good teach English hotspot, although the salaries can be low. If you can commit to a year and have the courage to try something really different, big money can be earned by teaching in Arab states like Saudi Arabia, although bear in mind that your lifestyle will change dramatically.
WWOOFing and Volunteering
All the cool kids are WWOOFing these days. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (wwoof.org) is a global network of organic farms where you can work and get room and board for free. Volunteering can offer similar benefits, and will give you an amazing experience – idealist.org is a particularly good site to check out for opportunities. Some organisations even pay a small salary, and can be a wonderful way of spending a few months when money is running low.
House Sitting
I have a friend who travels all over the world, looking after other people’s houses. Resources like housecarers.com pairs travellers with home-owners in an agreement that works in everyone’s favour, and give travellers the chance to get to know somewhere new for a decent amount of time.
Online Poker
A slightly riskier way of funding your travels is by playing online poker. If you’re familiar with the rules and consider yourself a lucky person, you could join the ranks of long-term travellers who have paid for their trips entirely with their winnings from online poker. Just be careful not to let it get the better of you and turn you in a gambling addict!
Get Handy with Handicrafts
Travelling is a great opportunity to put your handicraft skills to good use, whether that be making and selling jewellery on the beach in Mexico or knitting cosy sweaters in eastern Europe. It will keep you occupied at the very least!
Work in a Hostel
Many hostels hire part-time workers in exchange for cheap rates or free stays in rooms. Perhaps not the best long-term option, and it won’t make you rich, but at least you'll have a roof over your head while you figure out how to make some money.
This article was originally published on www.getafirstlife.com. Read the original here.
*Image of a hostel for pilgrims traveling to Santiago via Shutterstock
