How to be financially independent abroad

 

 

 

Have you always dreamed of seeing the world but never seem to be able to save up enough money to go? Or perhaps you’re a traveller wanting to pay your way and avoid returning home to a massive pile of debt? Whatever your reasons, there are plenty of ways that you can make money while on the go.

 

First, think about your job and whether or not you could do it from another country. Many computer based jobs such as web design, programming, writing and more can be done on a freelance basis – so just pack your laptop in your luggage and all you need to do is find an internet connection to take your job anywhere. Look into establishing yourself as a freelancer and you could soon find travelling the world a realistic option. Good, fast Wi-Fi access is surprisingly common in hotels, bars and cafes throughout the world, even in relatively far-flung places. And you’ll often find that you need to work less too – for example, a day’s work at a Western rate of pay in a country like Thailand or India can keep you in food and basic accommodation for a week.

 

If your job isn’t something you can do online and you don’t fancy retraining, see if there are options for doing your current work abroad – many people don’t realise the sort of vocations that are in demand in other countries. For example, anyone qualified in child care will find plenty of work opportunities as a nanny or au pair throughout the world, while teachers are always needed even in some of the most exotic destinations. Similarly, chefs, entertainers, engineers or anyone trained in the hospitality trade can find lots of employment opportunities on cruise ships and even private yachts. With good rates of pay, food and accommodation included and exciting itineraries taking in worldwide destinations, this is a great way to see the world and save money at the same time.

 

Once you’ve found a way to fund your travels, there are plenty of things you can do to save money and cut down on the final expenses of your trip. For flights, book via a comparison site such as Skyscanner.com that will compare the prices of all the different airlines flying to your destination and find you the best price. For most city destinations, you can often save money by shopping around on sites like agoda.com and bookings.com for good deals on accommodation, while the best rates in rural locations or island destinations are often found by arriving and haggling with owners – although those visiting places during busy periods are advised to book ahead.

 

Finally, don’t let staying in touch with those back home cost you a fortune. Software like Skype comes pre-installed on many internet cafe computers worldwide and allows you to make face-to-face video calls in real time totally free of charge. And if you want to use your mobile phone while you’re away, ditch any contract you might have and get a local pay-as-you-go SIM card to make cheap calls to home and abroad. Many networks offer free SIMs with great international rates, and you can even do an online mobile top up with Lebara and other companies so you can get credit on your phone wherever you are.

 

Travelling the world used to be the preserve of the rich and famous, but thanks to a combination of new technology, international work opportunities and better communication, anyone can realise their dream.