If only traveling wasn’t so expensive! Sure, there are ways to cut costs and stretch your travel dollar, but everyone knows you need a base amount before you jet off.

And that’s where the s word usually comes in; it’s not everyone’s favorite word, as it usually means you have to give up your Netflix, but typically, to build up a travel fund you have to start saving.

We’ve published many articles on saving for travel; from the simplest ways to save money, to budget tips when planning your travels, and things you can do in your everyday life to have more money for travel.

But what if you want to actually make money?

There are a tonne of adjustments you can make to your lifestyle to cut down on costs and start a travel fund, but at some point, you’re going to hit a limit as to how much you can realistically save.

And what if you want to be saving faster?

Finding hassle-free and straightforward ways to boost your budget should be the number one goal, so we’ve put together a list of how modern travelers are making money on the side in 2021.

Modern Ways to Make Money For Travel in 2021

Invest Your Money

The idea of investing in stocks and shares isn’t appealing when you don’t have the know-how. The majority of us think investments are for self important men and women on Wall Street who understand how to make a killing.

Of course, the reality is different – all they do is buy low and sell high. It’s so easy a robot can do it.

There are hundreds of opportunities on the market, which include both traditional trades and cryptocurreny. If you don’t have the skills to be a day trader yourself, you can consider either a stock broker, or joining an automated system where an algorithm makes trades for you.

Of course, it’s important to fully do your research before deciding to invest in any type of scheme, to never invest more money than you can lose, and to make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of your investment.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Online trading is a modern way to make money, though MAKE SURE you thoroughly research your choice of investment.” quote=”Online trading is a modern way to make money, though MAKE SURE you thoroughly research your choice of investment.”]

It’s easy to find online reviews about crypto opportunities (ie this Bitcoin Evolution review), though you may have to dig a little deeper if using a freelance trader / stock broker.

Investing your money can be a great way to double or triple the amount you’d get by letting it sit in a high interest bank account, but you should make wise, responsible decisions if taking this route, and assess the level of risk involved.

Online trading is a very modern way to make money, though it’s also a very modern prince to pauper tale, so make sure you consider this option with caution, after having taken advice from professionals.

Worth noting that we have not personally invested in cryptocurrency, though we do have friends who sing it’s praises.

Sell Your Recipes

It’s one of the most modern trends in 2021 – in a world that is becoming increasingly food obsessed, people are making money these days off their recipes!

To put it into perspective, the #foodie hashtag has more than 139 MILLION posts on Instagram, and is always trending. And you don’t even have to be an influencer or have an established audience to be able to make money.

Online platforms and established blogs will actually pay for original recipes so that they can post them for their readers. Alternatively, you can write for more traditional publications and get paid per word.

Yes, an excellent way to make money is setting up your own food blog if you’re passionate about cooking, but if you don’t care for the technical side of blogging or website ownership, sell your original recipes to those who do!

Put Junk Up For Sale

Garage sales are classic, though with the recent Marie Kondo trend, everyone these days is jumping on the chance to sell their stuff and declutter.

Why not put the money directly towards your travel fund?

Go through your closet, garage, and those dusty boxes in the attic to find items you are no longer using. You can list them on Gumtree, Ebay or Craigslist, or go the more traditional route with a garage sale.

It’s really not hard to make online listings and advertise old belongings to make a profit. You can do it with everything, from tools to household appliances and clothes.

And, if you take a long hard look at your situation and decide to sell big ticket items like a TV, or your car, these create a flow on effect; you’ll save more in the long run by not needing to pay ongoing expenses like a cable bill, auto insurance, or petrol.

Be Productive In Your Free Time

Streaming services like Netflix might be going strong, but holding down a side hustle in your free time is one of the most modern trends for making money. 

Sometimes, there’s actually no need to even get off the couch! (Many online activities are doable from the comfort of your living room, like being paid to take internet questionnaires and surveys).

As fake news has become a worldwide truth, online publications and platforms are now paying people to fact check. And you can sign up for side jobs in the gig based economy, using apps like Uber, Fiverr, or Upwork to find gigs.

7-10 years ago there may have only been a handful of gig companies that connected you with side hustle work. But today, gig work has literally exploded in a thousand different directions, and there is so much opportunity.

Today, there are so many gig jobs to choose from that there is no reason anyone should feel like they have to choose an app that doesn’t fit their skill levels and interests. There are even gigs for doctors now!

Never say you can’t afford to travel. Add one of these to your routine and get paid, instead!

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.