Life from an RV is a life on the road. You’re not always moving around, but you aren’t in a permanent position either. While that can be freeing and a lot of fun, it can also put you in an odd situation when it comes to making money.
Luckily, there are various ways to make money from an RV. Though they may not follow the traditional patterns, that should come as no surprise.
RVing is a bit unconventional. As a result, all of the ways to make money listed in this guide are perfect complements to the trip.
How to Make Money While RVing
There are many remote jobs in the world. However, a good number of them are specific to one company or task. Rather than going into those, this guide will break down some of the broader ways to make money while out on the road.
None of the following options forces you to be inside your RV while you work, and they give you the freedom to earn cash from anywhere. Of course, that makes most of them internet-based, but there is nothing wrong with that.
The internet is a spanning database filled with people looking to hire employees for various tasks. If you’re willing to work at it, there are even quite a few jobs that help you create your own business or income.
It’s all about knowing where and how to look.
Freelance Writing
Perhaps, the most well-known way to make money without being tied down to one place is writing. The idea of freelance writing may sound a bit daunting to some, but the internet is filled with places where you can work in that area.
Job sites like Craigslist, Pro Blogger, and Indeed all have sections to find remote writing jobs, and you can also do a simple Google search to see what else comes up.
This is definitely one of the larger jobs to take while travelling around, but it is also one of the best ways to get a steady remote income.
It also helps that you don’t necessarily have to do creative writing. There are many ways to make money writing, and that includes helping out with blogs, copywriting for large companies, even niche aspects like legal or medical writing.
It is up to you to hunt down and locate the jobs that best pertain to your knowledge, skills, and background.
Of course, these jobs always pay the best if you have some experience or degrees in the field, but that is not always a set requirement.
Some places posts jobs that require no experience. All you need is a good work ethic and a strong grasp of the English language.
Proofreading
If writing isn’t your cup of tea, you can always edit. As there are thousands of companies and individuals who work in or around the freelance writing space, there is also a need for editors.
Many websites, both small and large, actively look for editors, as do writing-hiring programs and independent organizations.
You can find such opportunities in many of the same places you find writing jobs. For that reason, a targeted Google search is great here as well.
In addition, there is also a chance you can find a proofreading job through companies looking for writers. If you see a company you’d like to work for asking for writers, search to see if they also need editing help.
Proofreading is a technical skill. Not only do you need to be able to spot small mistakes or details within writing, but you also need to have a strong grasp of the English language.
Even so, if you meet those requirements, you’ll be able to get consistent work. In fact, this is one of the best ways to make money on the road for people who want a bit more security with their income.
Transcribing
Staying within the writing space, one of the best ways to make money on the road, if you have the ear for it, is transcribing.
To do this job, you simply transcribe certain passages or sections of text. You listen to words, then type down what you hear. That process is great for many RVers because it means just about anyone is capable of doing it if they put in the work.
As with traditional writing, this is a perfect job for the road because you can do it from anywhere. The only requirements are a computer with sound. You don’t even need the internet while you work.
Yes, you may need it to send in your transcriptions, download initial tasks, or talk with companies. Even so, you can get somewhere with WiFi, download what you need, and then transcribe anywhere you like.
Even if you have access to the internet, this is a great job to do while enjoying nature or out in a new city.
Just note that there are two types of transcription writing, legal and general, that you can do. The one you pick comes down to what you’re good at and what you know.
The only other important requirement for a transcription job is the ability to type fast with few errors. It’s great if your typing speed is around 60 to 70 words per minute, but if you spend hours going back over each section you’re typing, it won’t likely be worth your time.
Blogging/Selling Through an Online Store
Though the above options are great ways to make money from an RV, some people simply don’t want to be tied to a set job or work for someone else.
If either of those applies to you, it may be a good idea to try and be your own boss. This is one of the riskier ways to make money while you’re on the road, but if you have the time or savings to invest, it can be quite rewarding in the long run.
This method of money making typically comes in two forms: blogging and selling online goods.
Blogging is a great way to earn money talking about something you love while selling online products allows you to take a hobby (such as making soap or jewelry) and turn it into a good source of income.
There’s a range of blogging sites to help you get started. Just be aware that, as there are so many blogs on the internet, it is best to come at this with a unique spin or angle.
If you’d rather make your own product, sites like Etsy allow you to sell different goods to people all over the world. Some travelers even use eBay or eBay-like sites to bring in more cash.
In terms of RV income, this will start out the slowest of any option on this list. However, if you’re willing to wait and put in the initial investment, it can pay off in a big, big way.
Workamping
Finally, if you want to move away from the online space and truly embrace the places you travel to, there is always workamping.
That word refers to the process where you find a temporary job at a campground or resort during your travels. Usually, this is where you camp your RV, but it can also be in any adjacent area as well.
The jobs here are rarely permanent, and they usually pertain to basic tasks like raking leaves or answering a phone.
However, in certain situations, they can also last for longer periods. This is especially true if you get hired on for an entire season or busy period.
In such cases, the workamping could be something like managing a gift shop or hosting a campground during the summer.
While these jobs bring you off of the internet, you first need to track them down online. Though you can ask around as well, that method likely won’t be as effective.
Various websites on the internet specifically cater to this style of work, including both workampingjobs.com and workamper.com. Use Google to look as well.
If you plan on being in your RV full-time workamping is a great way to supplement both your current and future income. Though the initial job only lasts for so long, the more workamping jobs you do, the easier it will be to land the next one.
Bring in Money, Wherever You Go
There are many ways to make money from an RV. Though that may seem like a lofty goal when you first take off, it is quite easy if you know what you want to do, where to look, and how to do a thorough search.
The above five ways to make money are fantastic for a life on the road, and they are even good for a short or long trip.
One of the best aspects of working freelance is that you can choose the projects you want. You can go with something quick if you don’t know how long you’ll be out, but you there are plenty of long-term options as well.