Money doesn’t grow on trees. When you need quick cash here’s 25 unique ways to earn it right now.
You reach into you wallet to pay for your hostel bed for the night, and come up empty. You dig deeper, finding only receipts and pocket lint.
You realize you’re out of money.
Nervous, you excuse yourself from the hostel clerk and rip open your backpack, in search of a secret stash of cash. Nothing. Not even a few coins.
All you have left are some smelly socks, an overdrawn bank account and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.
What do you do? Pack up your gear, hang your head in shame as you call your friends/parents to send the money for a ticket home? Or do you consider these innovative options for funding a life on the road:
1. Travel Writer
Considered by many as the ultimate travel job, writing for online publications can help you buy your next mug of beer. Work your way to becoming the next Hunter S. Thomson by learning about the craft and querying your next inspired idea.
2. Wield that camera
National Geographic may not be knocking your door down, but that doesn’t mean that your photos don’t deserve an audience. Try selling your landscape and portrait shots to travel publications or submit it to a stock photography company such as Shutterpoint.com, Andes Press Agency and Getty Images.
3. Video journalism
With the advent of Youtube amateur videos are in great demand. Become a backpack film maker, set up your own vblog or simply sell it to tourism sites.
National Geographic may not be knocking your door down, but that doesn’t mean that you’re photos don’t deserve an audience.
4. Busking
If you’re talented (or even if you aren’t), this is a great way to earn money. Just make sure you’re not taking someone else’s “spot” and check the legalities of performing in a certain area. Or if the police come, you could just run away really fast.
5. Work an a Bookstore
It’s a great way to show-off your “intellectual” side whilst devouring the latest books. Keep in mind that most may require a work permit before they hire you. A great alternative is to bunk in Paris’ famed Shakespeare and Company where the owner offers free beds and work in exchange that you promise to read at least one book a day.
6. Online Poker
This is the perfect money-making means for risk takers. Many travelers who have funded their trips from their winnings on Online Poker. Make sure to weigh the risks of wiping out your bank account and developing a gambling problem.
7. Massage
Have you been known to make your dates swoon with your suave massage moves? Maybe it’s time you put your seduction skills to good use by working as a freelance masseuse. Find willing clients on the beach or a location where people are looking to relaaaaxxxx. Invest in some scented oil, clean nails and your most disarming smile and you’ll have enough funds for your own spa treatment.
8. Farm Work
Fruit picking and farm work is one of the favorite possibilities for hippies, idealists and masochists. Though it is literally hard labor, it’s a paying job with invaluable perks, like meeting new people, enjoying the outdoors and having a unique experience.
One of the best resources is Transitions Abroad, Matador’s Guide to WWOOFING and Finding Paying Work in Europe.
9. Construction
If you’d like to fatten your wallet whilst trimming your waistline, then take on some short-term construction work. Who knows, with your newly sculpted abs and beefy biceps, you may find other uses for that tool belt.
10. Work in a hostel
Many hostels hire part-time workers in exchange for cheaper rates on rooms. Cleaning up after travelers may seem pretty disgusting, but it’s an opportunity for quick cash, a free bed and some new friends.
11. Painting
You don’t have to cut off your ear to get a painting gig, but you can put your artistic abilities to good use by offering your services for home, office or building refurbishments.
12. Dishwasher or Kitchen Staff
Grab some leftovers without having to resort to dumpster diving. Experience the stress, camaraderie and craziness of working in a restaurant’s kitchen. It may even open your eyes to a new career path like it did for bad-ass chef extraordinaire, Anthony Bourdain.
Get prodded and poked by nervous science students in the UK, US and in Europe as a guinea pig.
13. For the love of science…or some cash
If you were the type of kid that purposely ignores the expiration date on milk cartons just to “see what would happen,” then this is the job for you. Get prodded and poked by nervous science students in the UK, US and in Europe with Get Paid to Guinea Pig.
14. Donate Blood
So what if you feel a bit woozy? A train to Russia is not cheap. Sissy. Plus, you’re helping save lives.
15. Modeling
Do you enjoy staring at your reflection on train windows and hostel mirrors? Then throw down that backpack for a few hours and head off to the glamorous world of commercial and print modeling. Often found in the gigs section of craigslist ads and city job sites, these opportunities require little more than a few cheesy poses.
16. Movie Extra
Run through the streets of Berlin with Jason Bourne or flee Godzilla’s rampage in Tokyo by working as a movie extra. You can check out casting agencies, local job posts or even the local couchsurfing group where independent film makers often post openings. It’s a great way to rub elbows with international celebrities (or at least tell your friends you did), earn some fast cash and possibly get discovered.
17. Recycle
Yes, saving the environment does pay. In most European cities, you can get cash back for the bottles you collect. Scour the hostel lounge and trash cans for some empty containers which you can take to the local supermarket where you’ll be given enough change to finally buy that banana you’ve been eyeing.
18. Sports events
Run after wayward golf balls or mop up the latest spillage from the Tae Kwon Do championships. For sports enthusiasts, it’s a great way to earn some money whilst gaining insight on the local games.
19. Trim some bushes
No, not those, pervert. Knock on a few doors and ask if they need any cleaning, yard work or repairs done. Though you may be chased off by Rover (or Ganesh if you’re in India), with a rumbling stomach, anything is worth a try.
20. Expositions
If you consider yourself a master of setting up tents, then challenge yourself by working at an exposition. Find these jobs on the city classified pages and help put up the displays, tarps and booths for a quick and easy buck.
21. Write Content
If you’ve been annoying your friends and family back home with your lengthy emails, then maybe its time to get paid by writing about other things than yourself. Work for a site that pays per hits such as blogit.com, helium.com and Associatedcontent.com.
22. Resell stuff
Don’t quite know what to do with that weird doll you got in Romania? Then sell it in your next location. From convincing your bunkmate to buy your lucky charms to auctioning fleamarket finds on ebay, reselling unusual travel goods can turn into quite the lucrative on-the-road business.
23. Handicrafts
If you’ve got a knack for crochet or can weave a basket at hyper speed, then selling some of your crafts can be used towards funding your next bus ticket. At the very least, you could make yourself something warm for those homeless evenings.
24. Festival Stalking
One of the best ways to combine a crazy cultural adventure, lots of drinking and enough dough for your next hangover spot is to work the festival circuit. You could either apply for a gig in one of the stands or push your own agenda by selling homemade space cakes, jell-o shots or setting up a kissing booth.
25. Sail Away
Sail off towards the sunset by working on a yacht or a cruise ship. You can find work by perusing crew job sites or simply asking people by the harbor if they have any leads. It provides a sense of freedom, a means to sustain to yourself and a way to get to your next stop.
Being on the road with very little or no cash may seem daunting at first, but the challenge of using your imagination to provide for yourself will make the experience all the more exciting and valuable.
Face the fear! There are always opportunities for the resourceful and intrepid traveler.
Any money-making ideas we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!
译文:
25招赚钱技巧帮你脱离旅途中的穷困潦倒
钱不是从树上长出来的。在你需要现金时，这里有25种不同的及时赚钱的方法。
在你拿出钱包准备付昨晚的旅馆费时，发现它已经空了。你仔细的翻了它一遍，最后只剩下收据和口袋的钱头了。
你意识到你已经成穷光蛋了。
你开始不安，你从旅馆职员那逃到一边，斯开你的背包，翻你秘密藏钱的地方。没有，甚至连硬币都没有。
你所剩下的只是一些臭袜子，一个透支了的银行帐号以及你难以抑制的冒险欲望。
你将干吗?收起你的行李，放下自尊打电话给你的朋友或父母让他们寄点买回程票的钱给你?或者你可以考虑试用这些新颖的方法来维持路上的费用。
1、旅行作家
作为大多数旅行人的最佳选择，为在线出版写作可以赚点钱买啤酒。通过学习竹筏或是怀疑下一个灵感，用你自己的方式成为下一个亨特·汤姆森。
2、做个摄影师
国家地理杂志或者不会主动找上门来，但这不意味着你的照片就没有欣赏的人。试着把你的风景照和人物照卖给一些旅游杂志或者提交给一些摄影公司，比如Shutterpoint图片网站、安第斯山出版社、盖蒂图片。
3、视频记者
随着Youtube的涌现，录像的业余爱好者存在很大的需求。做一个背包电影制作者，建立起自己的视频博客或者将它卖给旅游网站。
国家地理杂志或者不会主动找上门来，但这不意味着你的照片就没有欣赏的人。
4、街头卖艺
如果你够聪明的话，（或者你不是）这是一条很好的发财路。只要保证不抢别人的地盘并且核查了这一区域的行为法规。如果警察来了，你可以尽快地逃掉。
5、去书店工作
这可以很好地展示您的“智慧”的一面，同时还可以大量阅读最新的图书。别忘了在大数书店聘用你之前可能需要工作许可证。另一种好的选择是下铺在巴黎著名的莎士比亚英文书店，那里的老板免费提供床位和工作，但你必须承诺每天至少读一本书。
6、在线扑克
对冒险者来说，这是完美的赚钱方法。许多游客就是靠在线扑克赚钱来资助他们的旅程。请务必权衡输掉银行帐号里所有钱的风险或发展成赌博问题。
7、按摩
你知道的怎样用你那温文尔雅的按摩动作换来舒服的日子吗？也许这时候你就可以充分利用你的诱惑技能---做一个自由按摩师。在海滩上或那些人们正在寻求放松的地方寻找你的客户。在香味油，清洁钉子和友善的微笑上投资，你就会有足够的资金去做温泉治疗。
8、在农场工作
对于嬉皮士，理想主义者和被虐待狂，采摘水果和农场工作是他们最喜爱的选择了。虽然这实际上是辛勤劳动，但你还会获得工资之外的宝贵的待遇，如遇见陌生的人，户外感受，也是一次独特的体验。
其中最好的资源，有海外迁移，到农场体验生活的斗牛士指南和在欧洲寻找付费工作在欧洲。
9、建设
如果你想让钱袋变肥，同时使腰围变得细，就可以接受一些短期的建筑工作。说不定，有了新生的腹部肌肉和健壮的二头肌，你可能会发现那条工具带还有其他用途的。
10、在旅馆工作
许多旅馆雇用兼职工人，并以更为便宜的住宿费做为报酬。在旅客离开后清理房间似乎很恶心，但它是一个不错的赚钱机会，并能获得免费的床辅和一些新的朋友。
11、绘画
您不必为得到一次画展机会而切断你的耳朵，但可以充分利用你的艺术能力为家庭，办公室或建筑物整修提供服务。
12、洗碗或厨房工作人员
抓斗一些剩菜，而不必诉诸于垃圾堆跳水。体验那种压力，友爱和的在一间餐厅厨房里工作的疯狂。它甚至有可能让你找到一个新的职业道路，就像那坏屁股厨师安东尼。伯尔顿一样。
当作一只豚鼠，被英国，美国和欧洲的神经学专业的学生用来戳、刺。
13、因为热爱科学。。。或者一些现金
如果你是那种故意无视牛奶盒上到期的日期，只是为了“看看会发生什么”的人，那么这工作就适合你。当作一只豚鼠，被英国，美国和欧洲的神经学专业的学生用来戳、刺，以获取一定的报酬。
14、献血
觉得有点头晕又怎样？到俄罗斯的火车费用并不便宜。不用怕。何况，你还挽救了生命。
15、做模特
你喜欢在列车的窗户或宿舍的镜子里盯着你的影子看吗？那就丢下你的背包，发一些时间钻进一个由商业广告和模特出版物构成的迷人世界。这些工作经常会在有一大堆广告的演唱会上和城市就业的网站里找到，它们仅需要摆一些低难度的姿势而已。
16、临时演员
做一个临时演员，就可以与杰森。伯恩一起在柏林街头奔跑，或者在东京逃离哥斯拉的横冲直撞。你可以看看角色分派机构，当地就业岗位，甚至是当地沙发冲浪族(沙发冲浪是一种旅行方式。基本意思就是，四海一家。你去住在当地人家里，别人来你这儿旅行的时候也可以住你家里)。独立电影制造商往往在这些地方发布职位空缺的消息。这样既可以与国际名人（或至少告诉你的朋友你曾经历过）近距离接触，又获得一些快速的现金，并有可能发现自己在这方面的天赋。
17、回收站
是的，拯救环境应该得到报酬。在大多数欧洲城市，你可以用你收集的瓶子来换取现金。在旅店的休息室和垃圾桶里寻找一些空瓶子，然后拿到当地的超市换取零钱，这样就可购买的你早看中的香蕉了。
18、体育赛事
跟着任性的高尔夫球奔跑(捡球)或在跆拳道锦标赛上拖掉最新油污。对于体育爱好者，这是一个很好的赚钱方式，同时还可以观赏当地的比赛。
19、修剪灌木
不，不是那些，神经病。走访少数几家，看看是否需要清洁，庭院工作或修理工作。虽然你可能会在饥肠碌碌时刻被罗孚赶走（或印度象神甘尼夏，如果你是在印度的话），不过什么都可以试试。
20、展览
如果你认为自己对撘帐篷在行的话，可以试着在展览会上工作。在城市的分类网页上寻找这些工作，帮忙摆放展览品，防水布和那些能快速和轻易收缩的摊位。
21、写文章
如果你的朋友和家人已因为你长长的电子邮件感到厌烦，那么这时候就可写写自身之外的事情赚点钱。为那些按点付费的网站工作，如部落格网站，氦部落格和人民媒体公司。
22、转售东西
是否拿着在罗马尼亚得到的那个奇怪娃娃不知道该怎么办？在你的下个地点卖掉它。说服你的房友购买你那些奇怪的东西，或者在电子商务网站上自由拍卖，转卖不寻常的旅行用品可以成为非常有利可图的路线业务。
23、手工艺品
如果你有钩针编织的诀窍或编织篮子的速度超快，这样，出售您的一些工艺品可以用来买下次车票。至少，你可以在这些无家可归的夜晚使自己多一份温暖。
24、跟踪节日
在盛大的节日现场工作既能体会一次疯狂的文化经历，还有大量的酒水和足够的面团，这极可能就是你下次宿醉的现场。你可以申请在一个看台上演出，或出售自制的空间蛋糕，果冻邻杆或设立一个亲吻电话亭。
25、航向远方
在游艇或游轮上工作，启航前往日落的方向。要找这样的工作，你可仔细浏览船员工作网站，或只要随便问问港口旁边的人们，看他们能否提供一些消息。这种工作能提供了自由感，也是体现自我的一种手段，和还能载你前往你的下一站。
最初，路上只有很少或没有钱似乎使人气馁，但能为自己充分地发挥你的想象力，将使整次经历，显得更令人兴奋的和有价值的。
面对恐惧！机智和勇敢的旅行者总是有机会的。
我们是否疏忽了一些其它的赚钱想法？请在评论分享您的想法！