Hitting the open road and traveling sounds like a dream until faced with the reality of financing it all. Although saving for years and living way below your means is one place to start finding the cash to travel, you can also start traveling right now and finance your lifestyle on the road while joining the rapidly increasing mobile workforce. Strategy Analytics reports that the global mobile workforce is set to increase to 1.87 billion people in 2022, accounting for 42.5 percent of the global workforce. But how do you actually get started and enter the global mobile workforce yourself?
You can earn a lucrative, scaleable income on the work that fits around your schedule. Look for jobs and businesses you can build while on the road with flexibility and freedom to pick and choose how and when you work. From tapping into an existing business model to launching an Airbnb co-hosting service, here is some inspiration to get started.
Leverage an Existing Business Model
Financing a lifestyle on the road and transforming yourself into a digital nomad is an exhilarating goal. But there’s no need to reinvent the wheel from scratch. Instead, you can leverage existing business models. Whether you want to sell unique and interesting walking tours or buy into an existing business, you can make money by studying others’ success. Getting up and running with a business like Amway can keep you on the road and traveling while growing a business and earning money. What is Amway’s business model and how can you make it work for you? The direct sales company offers a variety of home, health and beauty products. When partnered with the company, you’ll automatically become part of a community of resources such as personal mentors and free online learning tools that will help you become successful.
Become a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are in high demand to handle everything from organizing spreadsheets, answer customer service emails, write blog copy, or run social media channels. The best place to start is with your own network, or by simply telling people on the road, “I take tasks off business owners plates so they have more time to work on their business instead of in it,” is a solid pitch that gives the impression you’re here to serve. Pick a niche, like social media, or go even deeper and only offer Pinterest pin creation and management. You can also look for clients through platforms like Upwork where people are actively looking to hire.
Sell Your Stuff
Selling your stuff doesn’t have to be mean being tied down to inventory while traveling. Crafters can source materials they need in any city they find themselves in and get to work making jewelry, accessories, and more. Of course, make sure you understand the local regulations of selling whether at a local market or from your own RV before you get started. You can also sell digital products you make including how to use Canva like a pro or organize your finances so you can work while traveling. Offer your courses through a platform like Udemy or Skillshare and promote your products to watch your profits grow.
Co-host an Airbnb Rental
Getting up and running in real estate can be expensive and full of added expenses from maintenance to taxes. But you can leverage existing real estate and get in on the Airbnb profits by offering to co-host. From checking-in guests to organizing cleaning crews and maintenance, you can take the chores of digital tasks off of an Airbnb host’s plate and earn money while doing it. And as your business grows, you can reach out to local vacation property owners, VRBO hosts, and others to expand your services and income.
Do Odd Jobs
It’s not necessary to land in a town for weeks or months to pick-up odd jobs. Plenty of businesses around the world need short-term hires to pass out flyers, help move boxes, help at an event, participate in market research, or even volunteer in exchange for room and board. Look for opportunities at World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) to find opportunities. You could end up walking away with new skills, friendships, and a few weeks of hard work in exchange for staying and eating delicious food for free while exploring the local area.
There are lots of reasons to tread carefully when leaving your job to hit the road whether spending more time with family and friends, renting out your home, or finishing a big project at work. But not having enough money to finance your lifestyle shouldn’t be one of them. Start building a flexible, remote business you love in order to live the travel lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
