Unless you’re an influencer with thousands of followers and a reassuring savings account, the idea of traveling the world while living out of a van likely sounds like an impossible fantasy. But what if I told you that making money on the road wasn’t just possible but relatively easy to do?
It’s no secret. The lifestyle known as”van life,” has historically required nomads to sacrifice daily comforts, like a traditional home and a stable full-time job, in exchange for a life of adventure. But no longer.
With the pandemic popularizing remote work and studies showing that work-from-home is here to stay, there are plenty of remote opportunities to launch your remote-first career (all of which you can complete from the comfort of your RV), from teaching English online to freelance writing.
In the process of transitioning to a nomadic lifestyle? Here’s how to make money on the road.
Keep Your Job by Working Remotely
One of the easiest ways to make money online and enjoy a digital nomad lifestyle is by transitioning your current full-time job into a remote work opportunity. More and more companies are moving online, and your employer may consider letting you work from home (or anywhere in the world).
Remind your employer that remote workers often experience higher job satisfaction and better work-life balance. In your pitch, make it clear that employees aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from remote work. When transitioning employees to full-time WFH setups, employers can expect to see lower employee turnover and fewer staff absences
If your boss is reluctant, see if they would accept a trial period. That way, you can demonstrate your ability to operate at peak performance, even when working on the road.
Once you have your boss’s go-ahead, all you’ll need is a stable internet connection and a comfortable place in your RV to work. This option is a great way to test if a remote lifestyle works for you while still maintaining the same source of income.
Try Workamping
Workamping, or work camping, is also an easy way for roadies to earn or save money. People who engage in workamping take on seasonal jobs in exchange for a camper spot, a wage, or both. In some cases, other perks are included, such as Wi-Fi, cable, or full hookups for the RV.
These positions are usually part-time and short-term and can range from being a tour guide in a national park to working retail to being a camp counselor. Workampers can find seasonal work at farms, national parks, campgrounds, music festivals, or ski resorts.
Rent Out Your Car or Your Parking Space
Earn money while traveling by renting out your car on platforms like Turo (if you aren’t bringing along your car as an RV toad).
By putting your vehicle to work when you’re not using it, you can offset some of your travel expenses and fund your adventures. There are lots of different car-sharing platforms that can connect you with anyone in need of a vehicle.
If you own (or rent) permanent residence for the RV off-season, you can also rent out your driveway, garage, or parking space to those in need of vehicle storage through peer-to-peer storage marketplaces like Neighbor,
Parking spaces, particularly those in a high-demand area, are a valuable asset that can be monetized.
Go for an Online Business
People who travel frequently often have multiple income streams.
One of the best ways to achieve multiple sources of income is to start your own business. Sound intimidating? Luckily, there are hacks and expert-recommended tools to simplify the process of becoming a business owner.
Rather than building a business from scratch, start by offering services or products on an established platform.
One such platform is Etsy, a marketplace where artists and other creatives sell handmade crafts, vintage items, or digital products. Craigslist is another popular platform where you can sell new and used products. If you’re a skilled photographer or graphic designer, platforms like Shutterstock offer an opportunity to monetize your talent.
If you’d rather not go through the hassle of searching for and storing your inventory, consider drop shipping or using companies that make products based on your designs.
Remember, your big business idea could start as a side hustle but evolve into a full-time venture over time. Unlike a full-time, full-scale business, a side hustle is a great way to establish a passive income channel, without the extensive time commitment.
Not sure what kind of business you’d like to start? Read about the most popular types of small businesses in each state.
Use Your Skills to Freelance
Many companies and individuals are seeking web developers, graphic designers, content writers, search engine optimizaters, proofreaders, and web designers to help their brand flourish.
If any of these needs align with your skills, you can make decent money through freelance work.
Freelancers take on various “gigs” or projects for different clients, without making a long-term commitments to a single employer.
While this career path can be quite lucrative, building up a freelancing portfolio also takes a while. However, those willing to put in the hard work will reap the benefits, e.g., the flexibility that freelancing offers.
One of the easiest ways to get started as a freelancer is to create an account on platforms like Freelancer, Upwork, and Fiverr. These platforms help connect web developers, graphic designers, and freelance writers with businesses needing services. When taking the freelancing route, you can also take on a role as a social media manager or virtual assistant.
Be a Delivery Driver
There’s a growing rowing appetite for grocery and restaurant order deliveries. The result? A number of different companies are looking for dependable people to be deliverers and drivers. All you’ll need is your own vehicle and some spare free time.
Because these grocery companies and delivery services are relatively new to the scene, they aren’t hiring everywhere. Typically, there is a greater demand for delivery drivers in large, metropolitan cities in the U.S. and Canada, so set your expectations accordingl.
Blogging
One of the most popular travel-friendly jobs is blogging, especially if you want to turn your passion for travel into a career.
Start by growing your social media accounts and writing blog posts for a company blog. If you want to start a travel blog, start documenting your adventures with photos or articles. Once you have a steady following, you can generate a steady income and may even land free accommodations by partnering with hotels or Airbnb.
One way that bloggers monetize their work is through affiliate marketing. This lucrative business involves partnering with companies like Amazon and promoting products or services related to your blog. When your readers make purchases through your affiliate links, you earn commissions.
Online Tutoring
If you’re a native English speaker, you could teach English online. There’s a sizable demand for English teachers, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
To become an English teacher, you’ll need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate (TEFL), which you you’ll receive after taking a month-long online course.From there, you can tutor high school or college students.
Rest assured, there are plenty of remote positions for educators looking to work remotely. But remember, you’ll need a stable internet connection and a quiet workspace.
Apply for a Part-Time Job
If none of the aforementioned jobs appeal to you, working several part-time (and travel-friendly) jobs will eventually, equate to one full-time income. Petting is a fan-favorite for those nomads like you who are looking for the flexibility to choose assignments that align with your travel plans.
Additionally, you might explore gigs like bartending or event coordinating for music festivals. You can also consider teaching yoga, holding exercise classes, or signing up for seasonal retail work.
Find work using online job boards like WanderJobs, Picking Jobs, Any Work Anywhere, and Backdoorjobs. For more ideas, check out this list of 70+ side hustle ideas.
Adventure awaits
So, let the adventure begin, whether you’re running a blog from your camper van, renting out your car, or working as a digital nomad!
Looking for RV workspace ideas? Check out this resource.
