One of the three goals with which this blog began was to explore ways to make money while on the road. While we advise traveling as simply and economically as possible, it is generally necessary to have some money coming in if you plan to travel indefinitely.
Though this blog focuses on traveling, this list would also be helpful to anyone trying to make a little extra money on the side, with far more flexibility than one would get with a normal 9-5 type job.
Many blogs on this topic post things they themselves only read online, often from another blog that just heard it from somewhere else. The result it myths about what does and does not work.
On this blog, we will be very clear on what is our first hand experience and what is not. This list is a long brainstorm list of ways we think you might be able to make money on the road. Most of these we have not tested yet, but over the next few months, we will begin doing so, and we will update this blog according.
And so, here is our starting list for ‘ways to make money on the road.’
Mock Trials
It’s a well known fact that there’s money in the legal industry. A lot rides on the decision that juries make. So, sometimes lawyers like to test a case to see how juries are likely to respond before the case actually goes to trial. That’s the idea behind mock trials.
Basically, if a lawyer is preparing a case in area where you are eligible to serve jury duty, they pay you, as part of a population sample, to read or watch an abridged version of the case and then to answer questions regarding your take on it.
Supposedly they pay pretty good, since they want the sample to be representative of the population as a whole, not just lower income people. I don’t expect this to be something you could make a full time living off, since there would be too few cases, but as a way to make a little extra money when a case comes up, it could be perfect. Especially if, like me, you find court proceedings interesting anyway.
Some mock trials happen in person, but since you need to do it in the place you would serve jury duty, most people living on the road would be better suited to the ones done remotely.
Check out our article Making Money by Participating in Mock Trials.
Cook Meals for People
Recently there has been a proliferation of sites that let you cook meals in your home (or, we assume, temporary housing) in exchange for money. It’s like AirBnB, but for cooking! On our initial survey of the sites, there seems to be a huge variation in terms of what people will pay and what they expect as far as the quality and complexity of the meal.
It’s definitely a new market, but we feel it’s a promising opportunity for people looking to make some extra money while on the road, and we look forward to exploring it more.
Get a lot more information about that here.
Craigslist Gigs
You’ve probably heard of Craigslist before. It’s a massively popular online classifieds site for finding everything from house, to a car, to a job. They also have a ‘gigs’ section where you can find short term employment, for a few hours or a few days. We see this as a great resource for travelers living on the road long term.
Be warned, however, that since there’s not much accountability on Craigslist, it does have a sketch factor sometimes. While the vast majority of Craigslist users are perfectly legitimate, we recommend caution when meeting up with anyone for the first time. Use public places!
Read Making Money on the Road with Craigslist Gigs.
Selling Stuff Via Amazon FBA
This is one of the few money making opportunities on this list that I actually have a good bit of experience with. In fact I’ve sold over $23K worth of stuff over the past 12 months. I’ve heard stories of other sellers making much more (think six or seven figures profit).
Most people break into selling on Amazon FBA through what’s called retail arbitrage, which basically means buying something one place for a low price and selling it somewhere else for a higher price. For example, you might buy a bunch of video games on sale from a big box store, and then sell them on Amazon for a healthy profit.
FBA stands for ‘fulfillment by Amazon’, and it means instead of shipping directly to customers, as you would on other e-commerce sites like eBay, you ship everything at once to one or more Amazon warehouses, and then they ship it to customers when it sells. There are many advantages of this, one of which is that it’s much better for travelers living on the road since you don’t have to lug around inventory yourself.
Unlike some of the others on the list, however, it does take some working capital to get started. And contrary to what some other bloggers will tell you, it absolutely is possible to lose money selling through FBA (of course).
But, it is a potentially great way to make money on the road, and I’ll be giving more specific information regarding what works and what doesn’t later on.
Test Websites
Websites are big business, and having a user friendly, easy to understand and navigate websites is important. That’s why some websites will pay you money to try out their websites and give them information about your experience. At least that’s what we’ve heard. We’ll let you know the ins and outs of making money testing websites soon!
But, assuming it’s legit, sounds like a great way to make money on the road since it’s totally flexible and can be done from anywhere with an internet connection.
Leapforce and Other Search Result Testing
Just like websites, search engines need outside input as well. There seem to be a variety of ways to make money helping to improve search engines, but Leapforce is one that we’ve heard some good things about. We’re not year clear on exactly what all it entails, but it seems to involve manually inputing information related to what results search engines turn up (or should turn up). In any case, there’s supposed to be some decent money in it, and again, it’s flexible and you can do it from anywhere, so potentially another great way to make money on the road.
We’ll keep you posted!
Photography
This one may be a little more out there, but there’s something Romantic about the freelance photographer out on the open road, and we think it may actually be a viable way to make some money, especially if you have a decent camera and know something about photography.
There are a variety of different forms this can take. Selling your work on stock photo sites is one commonly used way. You could also try to get gigs as a portrait or commercial photographer along the way. Or even selling photos to news agencies.
There’re even sites now that will buy stock photos you took with your cell phone.
This is a competitive one, but there do seem to be opportunities to make some money (in a really fun way!) if you know a little and you’re smart about it.
Blogging
We have to mention this. There’s big money in blogging these days, and it’s almost becoming synonymous with making money on the road.
For this list, we’re trying to focus more on ways you can start making money in a relatively short period of time. For the most part, the things on this list won’t make you rich, but they’ll help you make a little money to support your frugal travels, and soon, rather than in a year or two.
That’s why we were initially reluctant to include blogging, because it is in no way quick money. There’s potentially a lot of money involved, but it takes a lot of work and is more long term.
That said, if you’re not up for the long term time investment of starting and building your own blog, but you still like to write, you can make money writing for other people’s blogs.
We’ll go into more detail later on, but TopTenz, International Living, Funds for Writers and Listverse are just a few of the many sites that offer cold hard cash money for unsolicited articles (if they’re accepted).
There’re other sites where you’re directly hired to write particular articles. These sites tend to pay less per article, but you’re guaranteed to get paid (as opposed to just making unsolicited submissions). If that’s more your style, check out iWriter and Fiverr.com.
Fiverr.com
Speaking of which, Fiverr.com deserves it’s own post. Basically you can offer to do anything for $5. The site has everything from writing blog articles, to setting up websites, to making little videos, to modeling with people’s signs, to prank calling people’s cousins and singing happy birthday in a weird costume. Creativity is definitely encouraged!
Mostly the site is service based, but there are some people selling physical products.
Admittedly, $5 isn’t a lot of money for most Westerners. And it’s really $4 after Fiverr takes their cut. Most big sellers make their real money off ‘gig extras’ or add ons to the regular $5 price tag. These gig extras are commonly $5-20, and can even go as high as three figures.
So, the trick to making real money on Fiverr seems to be gig extras and/or coming up with something that’s novel and new, but that doesn’t take a lot of time on your part. So you can do a bunch.
I’ve sold a little on Fiverr before, but I look forward to exploring it more!
Test Software
Similar to testing websites and search engines. You download some software, try it out, give feedback and make a little money. It’s all remote and all you need with you is a computer with internet access, so, again, potentially a good way to make money on the road.
Freelance Sites
There’re many sites out there now that broker the hiring of freelancers. If you have a marketable skill that can be done remotely, this is potentially one of the more lucrative options on this list. Programmers, web designers, animators and writers are all in demand on these sites.
Some of the more popular marketplaces are Upwork and Freelancer.com,
We already mentioned Fiverr which is technically a freelance marketplace as well. Note that you’ll usually make a lot more money per job on the other two, as they tend to be bigger projects, but there’s also more expectation that you have a portfolio and know what you’re doing.
Some people that don’t have a lot of experience like to cut their teeth on Fiverr, and then move to the bigger money sites once they’re more experienced and more confident.
You could also try marketing your services in whatever place you happen to be in. Like setting up websites for local businesses.
Virtual Book Keeping
The idea is, you manage people’s accounts remotely. It’s lower cost for them, and more flexibility for you. You can do it from anywhere, so it’s great for those living on the open road. There’s supposed to be some good money in it, but you’ll need to learn a little about book keeping first.
So far I’ve heard mixed things on how long it would take to obtain the necessary credentials, but it seems at least worth exploring. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Fixing iPhones
It’s not that hard to fix iPhone screens, from what we hear. All you need is some special tools that you can buy online. This seems like a possible way to make money online, though the downside is it may be challenging to build a brand when you’re constantly changing places.
Get Paid to Name Things (Usually companies)
There’re now websites out there that will pay you money to name things, usually new companies and brands. They tend to operate under a contest model. In other words, entrepreneurs list on the site and give information about the company, and what qualities they want the name to have. Anyone can then submit and if yours gets chosen, you get paid.
If you’re into graphic design and Photoshop, there’re similar opportunities out there to design logos, t shirts and other things.
The downside of this model is, you may put in a lot of work and not get paid, but the up side is it’s super flexible, low stress and low commitment. Even with normal freelance work, there’s a certain amount of pressure to live up to your client’s expectations, but with the contest model, they just like it or they don’t.
Great opportunity if you’re creative and talented by maybe don’t have a lot of experience (or if the contest model just appeals to you more).
Online Copyediting Work
Another option, if you’re a good writer but don’t feel like writing your own content, is copyediting other people’s. There are a number of websites out there now on which you can find this type of work, and opportunitires for people of various experience levels. But of course, the more qualified you are, the more money you can make.
Secret Shopping
Just like website owners want to test user experience sometimes, so to do brick and mortar business owners. Thus, secret shopping. Basically, you go to a store, pretend to be a normal customer, and then fill out a survey of what the experience was like. This could involve reporting on how good the service was at a particular restaurant, or whether you were carded when trying to buy cigarettes at a gas station. I’ve heard different things regarding how much money you can make, and it seems to depend on a variety of factors, but at the very least, it’s a great way to get a few free restaurant meals, which is nice anytime, but especially while living on the road.
Plus, you may end up making some real money.
Sell Art and Handicrafts
All over the world there’re place to sell art and handicrafts, from high end galleries to flea markets, to laying a blanket down on the sidewalk of a popular pedestrian street (but be sure to check local permitting requirements first). If you have the talent, and a bit of an entrepreneurial streak, this could be the money making opportunity for you.
Review Music and Clothing on Slice the Pie
I don’t have any personal experience with this site, yet, but I’ve read some reviews, and evidently they pay you money to give artists and businesses feedback on things like music and clothing designs. I look forward to exploring it more.
Play Music
If you’re a singer or musician, your talent could provide a variety of on the road money making opportunities. From busking on the street, to teaching lessons, to working out a deal with a local bar or restaurant.
I am not personally much of a musician, but I know some people that’ve had success with this. It’s competitive, so you have to hustle, but it can be really great if you get it going.
Hunt Scrap Metal or Recycling
This may be harder than it sounds, but if you can find a good source of scrap metal, there is money to be made. From Coke cans to copper wiring. The hard part is really just finding it. We don’t recommend stealing it, or your on the road life style may end abruptly. Note that railroad police typically consider picking up scrap on the side of the railroad to be stealing, and I’ve heard stories about scrap yards turning in people to railroad police just for bringing in old, rusty railroad parts. So be sure to play by the rules.
There are plenty of other legitimate ways to collect scrap metal, though, and money to be made!
Match Betting
This is more popular among Europeans than Americans since gambling is illegal in most of the United States. But the idea is that many online bookies will offer a free bonus for signing up. IE– spend $25 get $25 to bet with. The idea of match betting is you set up account with two different bookies offering a bonus and then bet on opposite outcomes. You have to be right once, and thanks to the sign up bonus, you turn a profit.
It doesn’t seem possible to make a full time living off this since, for one thing, there’re a limited number of bookies out there offering sign up bonuses, but I’ve heard stories of people making a few thousand dollars a year off it, which would definitely be some nice icing on the income cake.
It is not yet clear to me whether this is at all an option for us yankees, or if match betting as an opportunity will decline now that more people are starting to figure it out. (IE- if bookies will lower or end all together their sign up bonuses.)
Moving Gigs
A subset of local gigs, but we thought it was worth mentioning on it’s own since there’re so many opportunities out there, and little requirements in terms of qualifications. Just be careful not to throw your back out!
Mobile Market Research
The idea of this one is, companies want to find out what’s going on “on the ground” (usually meaning in individual stores). So, you get instructions via an app, and they pay you money upon completion. The two big players I’m aware of are Gigwalk and Field Agent. I’ve tried Gigwalk once, and haven’t download Field Agent yet.
With Gigwalk, I was asked to stop by a Walmart store, check to see if they were carrying a certain type of motor oil (they were) and if they were, to take a picture through the app. For that I made $5.
It seems to me, the viability of this as a money making opportunity is dependent on the density of opportunities in your given area. Where I live now, the opportunities are a bit spread out, so I would only tend to do them if they were near where I was going anyway.
If you’re living on the road, it may be worth downloading both apps and checking when you get to a new place if there’re a lot of opportunities around where you’re hanging out.
Drive for Uber
This is a pretty well documented money making opportunity, and probably one you’ve heard of before. I’ve never tried driving for them, because my car is a 2004 (and therefore no eligible), but if you like meeting people and driving them around, I see no reason why this money making opportunity couldn’t work on the road. (Get it, on the road?)
Post on Forums for Money
As you probably know, forums are websites where conversations, usually on a specific topic, happen online. What you may not know is that new forums, trying to get to critical mass, will sometimes pay people money to just be members of the site, to talk, and ask and answer questions.
Basically you get paid money to talk to people online. Seems worth exploring.
Be a Virtual Assistant
Like being a regular assistant, but with a lot more flexibility. Most virtual assistants work for people short term, though some may have more long standing relationships. It usually involves secretarial type work. Anything from data entry to answering emails.
Definitely a viable money making opportunity if it appeals to you.
Be an Online Medical Transcriptionist
I’m not sure yet how stringent the qualifications are or are not for this, but I’ve stumbled across some sites like FastChart.com that let you work as a medical transcriptionist remotely, IE– on the road. Could be worth checking out, especially if you’re interested in having a career on the road.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve got for now. I hope something piqued your interest. I look forward to exploring each of them in a more in depth way, so check back soon. If you have other ideas for ways to make money on the road, hit up the comments. In the meantime, best of luck with your (financially sustainable) travels!
After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any method you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!
Sorry, that sounds annoying! (Just saw your comment.) There should be a way to disable further notifications from your WordPress settings (if you have an account). But if the problems still going on let me know and I’ll see if I can figure it out….