Are you considering selling everything and hitting the road with your family, but aren’t sure how to make money on the road?
If so, you’re in luck!
Many were forced to slow down when the COVID pandemic started and if you’re like me, you started taking inventory of your life. I was tired of the rushing around and doing things that I didn’t enjoy.
That’s when this dream was born. I wanted to travel and homeschool my son.
In the past, people have assumed they cannot be snowbirds or travel full-time with children. I’m here to tell you that’s not true. It’s totally possible!
Before you read this list, I’d recommend is to take a skill assessment of yourself and figure out what you enjoy doing. Even if it is something “silly” like juggling, write it down. While you’re reading through this list, see if any of these ideas fit well with your skills and interests.
Whether you’re looking for a travel-friendly side hustle or a way to make a full-time income while on the road, there’s something for everyone.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out these amazing ideas and get started creating a life you love!
Remote Jobs
Did you know that a 2021 study found that 70% of companies are planning to adopt at least a hybrid remote and in-office work model since the start of COVID?
Employers are incentivized to keep their workers remote because they are more productive, have fewer distractions, are more focused, have happier employees due to the work-life balance, have a quieter work environment, and employers now have more office space.
It is very possible to find a remote position. Many job boards even have a filter for remote positions.
Even if you find a partially remote position, you can still travel and come back to your employer when needed! That’s what I do. My employer is based in Ohio, but right now I’m in Fort Myers, Florida.
Why? Because I hate winter! Here’s how we became snowbirds in our 30s!
Seasonal Work
Some travelers enjoy working when they need to and having months at a time where they don’t have to work.
If you’re looking for temporary work, many stores need extra help around the holidays. Kohls, FedEx, UPS, Amazon, ski resorts, tourist attractions, landscaping, and more!
It’s a great way to build up some money before taking off for your next location.
Photographer
There are lots of professional photographers who travel full-time based on where their next booking takes them. Then they can write off their travel as a business expense!
Graphic Design
Are you creative? Consider graphic design. It’s an excellent way to make a full-time income on the road. You can choose to take a full-time position or opt to do freelance work.
RV Mechanic
Many full-time travelers stay at RV campgrounds and need some mechanic work completed before they hit the road again.
As a full-time traveler, if you have mechanic skills, this is an excellent way to make money on the road. You’ll also make friends with other families by doing this.
Freelance Writer
Are you a great writer? Create a website, make a portfolio of some of your best work and start marketing yourself.
There are many courses on how to do this, but it’s a great way to make money on the road. All you need is a laptop and WiFi which means you can do it from anywhere!
Blogging
Bloggers can make lots of money! It takes 1-2 years to start seeing good money roll in, but it’s totally possible!
Find your niche, build your website, and start writing content. Monetize your website with affiliate links, ads, ebooks, and courses and watch the passive income roll in.
Social Media Manager
Many companies do not know the ins and outs of social media and need someone like you to manage it for them.
Create Instagram reels, TikTok videos, Facebook posts, tweets – and get paid for it!
Don’t sleep on this great opportunity!
Bookkeeping
Are you a numbers nerd that has a high level of attention to detail? If so, bookkeeping might be the perfect job for you.
Real Estate Investing
There are so many ways to invest in real estate – year-round rentals, vacation rentals, flipping houses, and more.
We own our house, have a few annual rentals in Ohio, and are starting to purchase real estate in Florida to do Airbnbs rentals.
This is a great way to create passive income and build wealth.
YouTube
If you’re creative, technically savvy, and entertaining, start a YouTube channel! It takes consistency, great content, and excellent quality – but it is an amazing way to generate passive income.
Many traveling families are choosing to start YouTube channels to document their family’s travel while making money! It’s a win-win.
Many YouTube creators report making much more than a full-time income (think hundreds of thousands and even millions annually) by doing some they love.
Virtual English Teacher
VIPkids offers $16-22/hr to teach kids English as a second language. I have friends who do this and find it very rewarding. You don’t have to be a teacher to do this, so check it out!
Travel Nursing
Travel nurses are making crazy money! I know a couple making over $100,000 for an 8 week assignment. Then they travel in between assignments!
Performer
Do you have a special talent? Singing, dancing, playing an instrument, drawing caricatures? If so, you can make excellent money booking gigs in a tourist city or even by street performing!
Virtual Assistant
Many successful business people hire virtual assistants to manage their calendars, book travel arrangements, answer emails, make appointments, and a variety of other tasks than can be done from anywhere.
Life Coach
Are you motivating and uplifting with a desire to help others? Consider becoming a life coach! Many who have seen a life coach credit them with helping make a big career change, lifestyle change, or creating a life they love! What a cool job!
Etsy Store Owner
Many have found success as an Etsy store owner selling a variety of things – digital prints, customizable gifts, accessories like baby bows, jewelry, and so much more. If you have a special skill, and want to be completely self-employed, this is a great opportunity to open a store with little overhead.
Consultant
Depending on your career background, you may be able to start a consulting business. Many consultants travel to businesses or schedule meetings over the phone. You could accept jobs in areas you’d like to travel to.
Survey Taker
This is a part-time way to make a little extra money. It can be time-consuming, but so is traveling. If you are a passenger, you could take online surveys to help pass the time on the road.
Dog Walker
Dog walking can be very lucrative! The average dog walker charges $30/hour! If you add a few dogs, provided they get along with each other, you can double or triple that! This is something you can do as a family or your teenager can start their own business as a dog walker.
Babysitting
Consider babysitting as a way to make extra money. Many traveling families don’t get much of a break from their kids. There’s an opportunity to alleviate some stress for that family and make some extra money doing it.
Property Management
Property management can be done from anywhere as long as you have someone onsite that is hired to do the work. Tourist destinations have lots of condos, apartment buildings, and townhomes that are rented on a short-term basis. All of these sites require a property manager.
Airbnb Host
If you are traveling full-time, did you sell your house? If not, Airbnb it while you’re away. You can block off time when you’ll be home so your house is always available to you when needed. There is so much money to be made if you take the time to help your guests have a wonderful experience.
Course Creator
What do you have knowledge in that others are always asking you about? Create an online course for others to purchase! Many are making a fortune (I’m talking hundreds of thousands of dollars a month!) selling their knowledge as a step-by-step program for others to use.
Social Media Influencer
Some social media influencers put out content to draw in lots of followers and then market products to their audience. Brands reach out to them and pay them to promote their products. If you like being the center of attention, this may be just the job for you!
Affiliate Marketing
There are lots of affiliate marketing programs that will pay you a commission if somoene clicks your link to buy their product. For instance, Amazon will pay 4% for everything your audience buys by clicking your link that routes them to Amazon to buy something that you are promoting. Other programs include: ShareASale, CJ, ClickBank, Etsy, and so many more.
Dropshipping
Traveling means you can’t have a lot of inventory to ship to customers when they purchase a product, but you can dropship their product to them. You can sell the product and then have a third party ship the product to the customer.
Seasonal Decorator
This is another very lucrative side business! Did you know you can make a small fortune putting up Christmas lights for people?! Many report as much as $15,000 per season!
Party Planning
Not all party planners work in-person at events. Some have assistants who make travel arrangements, schedule deliveries, order supplies, and many more tasks.
Interior Design
Some full-time travelers with backgrounds in interior design schedule clients and travel to them. Airbnb is getting to be so popular that many investors hire designers to decorate their places! What a fun job!
Podcasts
Podcasting is increasing in popularity. It’s a lot of hard work, and you have to market yourself to build an audience, but it can be a great source of income with some hard work, consistency, and great content.
Proofreading and Editing
Are you highly detail-oriented and good at grammar, spelling, and punctuation? If so, proofreading and editing may be right for you. Many freelance writers take on proofreading and editing projects for clients to increase their income while they are building their client-base. Proofreaders usually make $12-50/hr, while editors can make $20-60/hr.
Auto Mechanic
Are you good at working on cars? Consider putting a listing online as you travel to try to pick up jobs on the road. Mechanics are always in high demand!
Construction
Are you handy? You’ll meet many traveling families while you’re on the road. Many want customized features in their schoolies, campers, and RVs. Or you could post an ad for your services online and work inside customers’ homes as you travel. There’s a lot of money to be made in this industry!
Temp Work
Not all jobs have to morph into careers. Many travelers enjoy working odd jobs and moving on to their next destination. Work in a hostel, at a ski resort, at a tiki bar, as a delivery driver, and so much more. Consider what your skills are and get creative.
Waitress
Waitresses, especially in tourist-driven cities, make a lot of money! It’s hard work at times, but you meet a lot of fun people, and make cash every day. I talked to a waitress while traveling that said she works 3 months a year and makes $30,000 in those 3 months and then takes a long break! More play, less work sounds nice.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing and lead generation is a very passive way to earn an income. Last month, my husband was able to triple the sales for his employer just by digital marketing. More sales=more income!
Flipping Cars
If you have a lot of knowledge about cars, you can make a lot of money flipping cars. I know someone who made $387,000 in 1 year by doing this! On aver,age, if you purchase the right vehicle, you can make $500-$1000 easily. Be sure to find cars that need minimal work if any. You can even buy from a private seller and wholesale to a car lot if you put in the work to network.
Day Trader
If you have a knack for the stock market and knowing which stocks to buy and when to sell, consider day trading. It’s risky business but can be very lucrative if you do it right.
Secret Shopper
Some restaurants hire secret shoppers to eat at their restaurant (for free) and assess how the restaurant performed. It’s an easy way to get a free meal, plus you get paid a little bit too.
Transcription
Fast typers can make money as a transcriptionist. Most have no idea that subtitles on TV, YouTube videos, and medical letters to other doctors are transcribed by a human.
Medical Coding and Billing
Insurance companies use codes for their claims. Doctors’ offices and hospitals must use these codes to get their services reimbursed by the insurance company. There are short certificate programs that you can take and start coding. Most of these positions allow you to work from home making anywhere from $12-30/hr.
Translator
If you’re bilingual, you should definitely check into translating! It’s a special skill that few have and it’s in high demand. Some businesses use programs called Language Line that connects you with a translator via an iPad. You can choose to work for a company or be a freelance translator. Freelance translators can earn well over $100,000/year depending on how many clients you serve and how well you market yourself.
Data Entry
Fast and accurate typers can enter data while on the road. It’s an easy job that you can do without much thinking involved. It’s a great way to work while on the road to your next destination!
Hairstylist
Hairstylists can work from anywhere! Take your tools and hit the road!
Teach Music Lessons
Can you play an instrument? You can teach other travelers or even offer virtual services. I know a guy who teaches guitar virtually and charges $50/hour! Set up a few lessons a day, and you’ve got a great source of income. You could even create courses or eBooks for sale and make passive income.
Travel Planner
Travel planners can earn over $50,000 year and more if they do freelance work and set their own prices. It’s a fun job where you get to talk to customers to learn what their needs are and schedule travel arrangements within their budget.
Artist
If you have special skills like calligraphy, painting, woodworking, sculptures, jewelry wrapping – there’s a market for selling your art! You can do popup sales, rent a booth at a flea market, or sell online.
Pet Sitting
Pet sitters make $15-90/day depending on the services offered!
Snow Shoveling
We normally travel to get away from the snow, but if you find yourself in a snowy location, you can make $25-75/hour. It’s hard work, but it’s money!
Raking Leaves
Lots of people pay for leaf removal and it’s an easy business to start. Rakes, bags, and a leaf blower, and you can start. Get the whole family involved. It’s great physical exercise
Renting your Car
If you’re traveling away from home without your vehicle, consider renting it on Turo. You’ll need an assistant to clean the car in between customers, but if you’re not using it, you might as well make money.
Makeup Artist
If you love doing makeup and are good at it, you can make $18-$50/hour as a makeup artist. You’ll earn even more if you market yourself for special events like weddings and photo shoots.
Call Center Representative
If you have a quiet workspace on the road, you can be a call center representative for all types of companies – doctors’ offices, cell phone providers, and so many more. Most call centers would rather their employees work remote, so you can work from anywhere.
Claim Assistant
Claim assistants for insurance companies may 37-47k/yearly on average. It’s great for those that are detail-oriented, enjoy clerical work, and like to work behind the scenes.
Project Management
Many types of businesses hire project managers to keep projects on time and on budget. It appeals to those who enjoy a challenge and a change in their day-to-day activities because two projects are rarely the same. This can be a very lucrative field if you get an education in business.
Appointment Scheduler
Appointment scheduling can be done from anywhere if it is done over the phone. Most appointment schedulers make around $19/hr.
HR Recruiter
There is a lot of demand for Human Resource Recruiters at this time. You would be responsible for posting available jobs on job boards, conducting phone interviews, and offering positions to eligible candidates. It can be done from anywhere!
Background Check Specialist
Most employers and property managers require a clear background check before moving the candidate along in the process. Background check specialists can work behind the scenes to make sure the information that the candidate provided is accurate.
Virtual Receptionist
Even receptionists have remote positions available, making between $11-15/hr.
Counselor
If you enjoy talking to others and offering words of encouragement, consider becoming a counselor. There are many types of counselors – crisis, marriage, school, and more. Many of these can be done virtually or you can travel to clients.
Property Claim Adjustor
A property claim adjustor looks at police reports, conducts research, does paperwork, and makes phone calls. Some a required to assess property damage, but if you’re looking for fully remote, you want to make sure that isn’t one of your responsibilities. Most make around $22+/hr.
Care Coordinator
Care coordinators are those with excellent customer service skills and a lot of compassion. They work with individual patients needing special care throughout their treatment. Some make outgoing phone calls to schedule referred patients or obtain missing clinical information. Most make $16-22/hr.
Furniture Flipping
Find an inexpensive piece of furniture at a garage sale that has seen better days and reupholster it, paint it, sand it, stain it, add new knobs – whatever you want! Then relist it and sell for a profit. It’s fun and can be done from anywhere! You can even buy it in 1 state and sell it in another.
Conclusion
Did you find something in this list that inspires you to create the life you’ve been dreaming about? I hope so!
If you’re wondering what to do with kids in school – consider homeschooling them! Homeschooling on the road offers a unique opportunity to let history come alive by seeing historical sites in person. Here’s a list of some ideas for those traveling to all 50 states!
Not sure what to pack before you hit the road with your homeschooled kids? Read this.
So what do we do? I have a remote position in the medical industry, we are real estate investors with Airbnbs and annual rentals, my husband flips cars, I do freelance writing and blogging, and we have a small construction business.
The best advice I can give is to let go of preconceived notions about what schooling should look like and try to have multiple sources of income, using your skills and interests.
Nothing is easy – it takes time, effort, and consistency to build your dream life, but if you love to travel – I’m here to tell you that making money on the road is absolutely a possibility if you’re willing to put in the effort.
If you have other ideas, I’d love to keep this list growing. Please leave your suggestion in the comments below!
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and create the life you love!
