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How Do Backpackers Make Money
So many reasons to experience a backpacking lifestyle for at least one time in your life. This doesn’t have to be forever, but if you fall in love with it, like most do, it will change your life forever. This why we wrote this guide for you. To teach you how to make money while traveling with our inside knowledge on how to be successful.
We all hit different points in our life that make us think twice about the current status of our lives.
Wether you’ve hit a down point and want an escape from life or your tired of the same day to day routine of your current job, this is a great way to hit the reset button on life.
Some backpackers you run into save for short journeys and realize they don’t want to go back to their dreaded lives. Others have had the dream for years and are ready to commit to a life long journey. Whatever your reasoning is, just make sure you are prepared.
When the problem of of money arises the anxiety or fear of it can cause you to end your trip early or never go on the trip in the first place. This is why we are glad to answer your question of how do backpackers make money.
There are multiple ways of creating an income in this line of life. Backpackers have been doing it for years and anywhere there is people or internet you should be able to fill your pockets, based off of our tips.
We will break down how to make money on the road and enjoy this vast world.
Travel Blogging
If you enjoy documenting your journey with either pictures or writing you can transfer that passion onto a travel blog.
There are many ways to create revenue streams through a blog. If your a wilderness traveler or like to climb you can link your products to amazon or the actual sites. You can get the links by becoming an affiliate partner.
Some websites will have affiliate information at the bottom of their sites. You can link your blankets, portable coffee makers, tents, climbing equipment or anything you may use during your travels
If you travel and stay at hotels or hostels you can write about your experience and use affiliate links from travel sites like Trip Advisor.
Another way to earn income from a travel blog is by using adds from on your site from companies like advineagency.
The best part about a blog is that you can make money while your on your adventure. It’s a form of passive income so you will make money even when you’re away from your blog.
Freelancing
The opportunities are vast when it comes to freelancing these days. You can earn an income even if you’re not traveling.
This is also something you can start before your travels to earn side money for the trip and to have a good idea on how to earn while traveling.
A website like Fiverr provides the opportunity to perform many jobs. From editing videos, writing, building websites or vocal tuning. These are just 4 examples that don’t even scratch the surface of the different tasks you can perform.
I am sure you have a skill that’s useful to someone to create a revenue stream from freelancing. If you feel like you don’t have a skill, well develop one before you go backpacking. Search through the different needs and learn a task that you think you may enjoy and that won’t feel like work.
YouTube
Documenting your trips by recording them and uploading them to YouTube is an awesome way to enjoy your travels and make money on the road.
You can create different channels to increase your revenue. You can have one channel for your VLOGS, which are personal videos where you speak to your audience directly. You can talk about food or a cool location you found.
Other channels can be about beaches, hotels or hiking. You can get a video drone or a GoPro to get cool visuals. The drone also lets you get aerial views, maybe you can create a channel of aerial views of different locations.
Recording is easier then ever with smart phones and its the most popular form of content in the world these days. You can take a slice of the pie by creating your own unique observation of the world.
BUSKING
If music is your passion and you enjoy performing in front of people then you might as well take your talents across the globe. It’s not uncommon for the people you see on the streets with their guitars busking to do it to earn money for trips.
Its a great way to inspire others or spread happiness in your own little way while making some money to keep the trip going.
Sometimes bars or restaurants may even pay you a fee to entertain their guests. It’s alway important to get creative and ask businesses if its possible for you to play.
Working Remotely
You can always find a job that allows you to work away from an office. You don’t have to quit your day job and still travel to your favorite destination.
If you have a job that you feel doesn’t require you to have to into the office you can ask your superiors to see if its possible to work remotely.
If you have a job that doesn’t allow you to work remotely you can search for a job that does offer the work from home option.
Domestic Work
A domestic worker is someone who works in someones home and assist in house work.
These can be jobs like dog sitting or baby sitting. Maybe you can clean houses or house sit and help with pets or watch over the house while a family is away.
You can also help care for elderly or provide some sort of assistance for them during a families vacation where they are away. This doesn’t have to be a 24/7 job it can be cooking and cleaning and in return you get a room and pay for your duties.
How would you find a job like this? If you know someone in the area you are traveling to you can ask them if they know anyone who may need help. You can also reach out to other travel bloggers and see if they can help you earn some cash for a family they met.
Property Rentals
How do backpackers make money with their properties? By signing up with companies like Airbnb and other platforms that make it easy to convert your property into business.
You can place your home on ones of these sites and make money away from home. You can book your schedule accordingly and factor in your travel cost into the rental fee.
If you don’t have a property and like this idea you can look into purchasing a property for this purpose alone. Buying homes or condos for rentals is a business model that exist and you join in to fund your backpacking lifestyle.
Photography
Many photographers live on the road because finding the perfect shot requires you to travel if you’re an outdoor photographer.
You can contact publishers, websites and different travel companies to see if you can sell your images to them.
There are also many websites where you can sell your images by creating your own personal space to sell your images.
Websites like Pixabay or smugmug.com allow you to sell your work.
Teach English
Teaching English is an easy job to earn money in if you speak English. English is the number one language of the world and business world and this on high demand.
I knew someone who did this while he was in college to support himself through school. This job allows you to be anywhere in the world as long you have an internet connection.
The good thing about this opportunity is that you usually don’t need a degree or certification for English instruction.
Hotel Work
If you don’t mind finding a part time job in a location you want to visit then got to a local hotel or hostel and see if they have any part time openings. Or call ahead and inquire to see if its possible.
As an English speaker sometimes that’s a positive for these types of businesses especially during high season.
You can also ask if its possible to get a room for work and that way you won’t have to worry about shelter on your trip.
Most destinations have hotels, so this should not be too difficult to find a job.
Restaurant Work
Very similar to hotel work, finding jobs at local restaurants or cafes should not be too difficult. Just about every town has restaurants and cafes that could assist in getting a part time.
Finding an old fashion “we need help” sign or asking the hotel receptionist for any ideas for part time work is the best way to do it. You want to utilize the few resources you have on these trips.
These businesses are usually cash businesses which makes it easy if you don’t have access to a bank or currency exchange.
TOUR GUIDE
Find companies that pay you to travel. Search for tour companies that need tour guides around the world and live your life as a tour guide. English speakers are always in demand and if you speak multiple languages that’s a plus.
Most places you visit have local tour shops and sometimes all you need is a little knowledge of the local, patience and a great smile.
We hope you enjoyed our guide on how do backpackers make money.
