The world may be shrinking thanks to the internet, but that still doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get out and explore it – and for many of us, going abroad means working abroad, too. The gap year just got bigger – and during this time, you’re going to need to make yourself some money to be able to keep going.
Depending upon where you are in the world – and how well you speak local languages – you may well be able to pick up a job or two in your local area, or along the way.
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However, with a laptop, tablet and/or smartphone to hand, you can also make some serious money on the go from a variety of different sources.
Here are just a few financial tips that we think are well worth your time looking into before you set off on your next trip.
Important Financial Tips for Digital Nomads
#1. Planning Ahead
While you may well have heard stories about some people being able to travel and work abroad with little to no money whatsoever, the smart move is to have some capital available before you go – as that means you can at least be comfortable and enjoy yourself while working away.
It’s essential to get your finances in check before you depart for an extensive period of time – if you need to, approach a national firm for financial solutions and help with debt – and if you can’t get yourself completely clear before you go, at least have a good idea of where you stand. The last thing you want to do is to come back to dire financial straits!
#2. Freelancing Online
Online freelancing has exploded in the past few years in a big way. Are you a graphic artist? A writer? Can you sing, make music, create marketing plans for others? You can make money at home or away.
Whatever your niche may be, there are tons of different platforms available now which require little investment from you – people from all over the world are willing to pay money for small jobs here and there, meaning that it’s perfectly manageable for you alongside your flexible travelling.
Check out sites such as Upwork, Guru, Fiverr and other domains – all offer great rates of pay for very little work – you may even be able to turn it into a career!
#3. Teaching Abroad
TEFL, or Teaching English as a Foreign Language, is a great way to get abroad and to help people who genuinely want to learn the English language.
Teach English everywhere from Thailand to the Netherlands – simply pass preliminary coursework and you’ll be eligible to start working with certified schools and institutions away from home. You may even be able to find rent and board alongside, too.
If you’d prefer not to go the TEFL route, you can also use online platforms such as TakeLessons.com to teach willing students on a wide range of topics from the comfort of your laptop – through Skype and more – teach music, writing, languages – and set yourself an hourly rate.
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#4. Make Use of Skype
Blending together all of the above, let’s really focus on how great Skype can be for people working while abroad. It can allow you to connect with anyone with the software and a webcam at anytime, anywhere – you can even use it via smartphone and tablet – and you can deliver a whole host of services through the platform.
Combining with setting yourself up as a private tutor, an online guide, or maybe even a life coach, you can effectively pick up and use Skype wherever you are in the world – providing you have access to Wi-Fi!
It’s worth listing your services through freelance directories as discussed above, or via job boards relating to your field of expertise – or even through Gumtree, where you can find local people interested in what you can do. It’s all worth looking into!
#5. Local Work
Beyond the realms of online work, you should also be able to find plenty of employment opportunities if you speak a rudimentary amount of the language of where you’re heading to.
Tourist areas will have bars and restaurants crying out for waiting staff and server support – or you may even be able to earn a little money at local marketplaces.
While the internet will allow you to find plenty of money-making opportunities that you can flexibly attend to while abroad, it’s always worth looking at local opportunities too – so you have a little bit of instant, local currency in your pocket.
Cover photo by Pexels