How do you make money while traveling?

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OwnBunch1374@reddit

After running Mondosol for 15+ years across different business models, I've found the key is diversifying income streams.

Started with language education, pivoted to property management (managed 250+ Airbnb listings), and now focus on coaching and digital products.

The secret?

Build systems that work without your constant presence.

At Mondosol, we've learned that location independence comes from process independence.

What specific skills are you looking to monetize?

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alexhallman@reddit

made $300k so far this year doing the photos for hotels. I’m also the reason everyone’s got “Airbnb content creator” in their bios 🤣

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valeyard89@reddit

I work full time and only travel for vacations/holidays.

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I work online as a virtual assistant, which gives me a lot of flexibility. I often volunteer in exchange for accommodation, and since I can work anytime as long as I deliver my tasks, it works well. Having a notebook (even a basic one) is really helpful—mine makes it much easier to find and do online jobs.

Besides VA work, I also manage paid traffic (ads) for small to mid-sized companies and do sales over the phone. You can find these kinds of part-time or freelance jobs on sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Hiring Cafe. Just having a notebook and internet access opens up many opportunities.

Platforms like Worldpackers sometimes offer paid positions after a month or two, even if it’s informal. You can also walk into local pubs or restaurants—especially in Latin America, where staffing is tight—and offer help for a day or two a week, so others can get a day off.

If you have skills like website building, you can easily land gigs through networking or freelance platforms like Upwork. It won’t make you rich, but a few hundred dollars per project is common and manageable.

Lastly, online language teaching is a solid option. Start with one student, and through word of mouth, it can grow quickly.

These are some of the ways I earn money while traveling. Good luck!

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gemstone-108@reddit

Where do you learn these skills like managing ad traffic etc

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Owlmaath@reddit

i learned by doing bc i was working in a small family owned business that asked me to handle that, we were all jack of all trades working for them. chatgpt, youtube, and articles i found on google were my best friends.

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gemstone-108@reddit

Awesome thanks for your honesty!!

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inquirefromwithin@reddit

Join multiple reputable secret shopping companies. I've made extra cash when visiting other cities.

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Illustrious-Meal9067@reddit

I don't even know what you said

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inquirefromwithin@reddit

Should be okay as long as you're not the person that asked. 👍

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Illustrious-Meal9067@reddit

C'mon why not share knowledge with whoever wants to learn?

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inquirefromwithin@reddit

I'm not sure what you're asking as you said you didn't know what I said. 🤷‍♂️

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Illustrious-Meal9067@reddit

What are reputable secret shopping companies?

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inquirefromwithin@reddit

MSPA has a pretty large list of ones that are registered with them. Compare/contrast it with shopper feedback in forums, Google, etc. There is probably a subreddit or two. Jobslinger is a good site that aggregates.

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Over_Trip3048@reddit

I work online ( teaching)

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bigdoner182@reddit

What do you teach?

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Over_Trip3048@reddit

Anthropology at a Canadian in BC ( im Canadian), been doing so for 4 years now)

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WishIWasYounger@reddit

Why are you getting down-voted?

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Over_Trip3048@reddit

Human mind is amazing. This may range from pure envy to ppl who may think it's not true. But... who cares? :)

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Over_Trip3048@reddit

Human mind is amazing. This may range from pure envy to ppl to think it's not true. But... who cares? :)

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xoxkxox@reddit

Amazing. The dream.

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Over_Trip3048@reddit

Thank you

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NewdWanderer@reddit

A guy I knew used to tour with Grateful Dead and he would buy a bunch of cheap lighters and put stickers on them related to the tour/band and would obviously re-sell them at a premium.

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Residew@reddit

eBay! Buy low, sell high. Cargo box on top for inventory storage. Checkout r/flipping and TheCollegePicker on YouTube. He traveled and was reselling full time.

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sgtapone87@reddit

Also nice is not being deported while on vacation for violating your visa but hey you do you.

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IcyCattle6374@reddit (OP)

There are some visas that allow you to work, some are for digital nomads.

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waitmyhonor@reddit

Digital nomad is the cringiest self description for the same type of people that probably call themselves free thinkers

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IcyCattle6374@reddit (OP)

IDK I still don’t know what exactly a digital nomad is lol

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NiagaraThistle@reddit

There is a DIgital Nomad sub, which might be a great place for you to look through post and get a number of ideas for what to do for work while traveling.

It is literally what digital nomads do.

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welkover@reddit

Remote software developers, YouTubers or streamers, drop shippers, and people selling self help courses are 90% of them. Some people who own other types of online only businesses.

Digital nomad visas don't allow you to look for work locally, they're a way for you to stay legally in a country for longer if you already have an income stream from somewhere else.

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JiveBunny@reddit

They have very specific criteria and are limited to specific countries (Spain and Portugal are the only EU countries that have them IIRC). They aren't really designed for people who are travelling and want to pick up casual work, or who want to work remotely whilst they're in the country for three weeks.

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RidiculousTakeAbove@reddit

I know it's not the question you asked but in general I've found it better to try to make more money at home by getting a better job or get a better position within the company, so that I don't feel like I need to work while I'm traveling. It makes traveling that much more enjoyable for me.

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NiagaraThistle@reddit

This is definitely the better way.

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NiagaraThistle@reddit

disclaimer: Make sure you have the legal ability and proper visa(s) to work while traveling abroad. Make sure you are legal to do it so you do not get deported/arrested/whatever.

That being said, if you have a skillset you can earn with at home online, you can just do that while traveling:

web development
copywrting / ghostwriting
Digital marketing
remote project management
Photography/videography
Video editing for youtubers
Audio editing for podcasters/youtubers
Social Media content creator (for clients)
...many others

As a web developer myself, I would recommend building/updating/maintaining websites for clients. If you don't know web dev, spend 3-6 months watching and coding along with Brad Traversy on his youtube channel 'Traversy Media'. In 6 months you'll be competent enough to do basic web dev for clients for $$.

Realistically, if you learn any digital skill for 3-6 months and be better than those who HAVE to do it but DON'T WANT to do it or who DON'T KNOW HOW to do it. And you can charge them for it.

Do everything online/remotely and earn while you travel.

Look at 'Digital Nomads' for ideas on how many of them earn while traveling. Ignore those that 'build their own thing' as you may not have the skills for that and finding a profitable 'business' for passive income will take longer than 6 months :)

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There are volunteer opportunities in some locations that can include lodging and food. You'd want to research to make sure it's a reputable organization.

You could get a side gig at home to earn some extra money before your trips.

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boris_parsley@reddit

I’ve never been to Portland let alone be mad at it. But if I was, all would be forgiven.