Van Life | 10 Ways to Earn Remote Income

How does one make money on the road?? Last year, I put together a video on how I personally earn income as a full-time nomad and many of you seemed interested in learning about additional ways to work from the road. So, here are 10 different ways to earn income while traveling full-time! Do you work remotely? Do you like it? Let me know in the comments below :)

0:31 Life Update
1:55 Content Creation
2:19 Photography/Videography
2:55 Writing
3:30 Music
4:00 Influencer
4:25 Social Media Marketing
5:02 Digital Marketing
5:25 Financial Advising & Bookkeeping
7:02 Create & Sell Goods Online
7:32 Online Courses
8:44 Virtual Assistant
9:09 Ask Your Employer
9:45 Seasonal Work
10:33 Traveling Professional
11:30 Resources

Hey :) I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. As a semi-minimalist, I eventually decided to donate/sell most of my belongings and move into my 4x4 Nissan Xterra. After 14 months of SUV living and falling madly in love with the open road - I bought a van and hired a team to build it out. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world on a whole new level, all while having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐

**My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 33K miles**

#vanlife #selfemployed #digitalnomad

Christian Schaffer receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Advisers LLC (“Wealthfront Advisers”) for sponsored advertising materials. Christian Schaffer is not a client and this is a paid endorsement. Christian Schaffer and Wealthfront Advisers are not associated with one another and have no formal relationship outside of this arrangement. Nothing in this communication should be construed as a solicitation, offer, or recommendation, to buy or sell any security. Any links provided by Christian Schaffer are not intended to imply that Wealthfront Advisers or its affiliates endorses, sponsors, promotes and/or is affiliated with the owners of or participants in those sites, or endorses any information contained on those sites, unless expressly stated otherwise. Investment management and advisory services are provided by Wealthfront, an SEC registered investment adviser. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance.

[sarbogast]

I am a software developer and I have been working remotely as a freelance for almost 3 years now. And I love it, I wouldn’t go back. Actually I’m thinking of getting my own van and nomading differently. And I have to say your videos are a big part of what inspires me to try it out

[MichaelBaldwin-qj]

As to what I do. I started a non-profit where I serve the indigenous communities of Latin America. I enlighten people as to the harsh yet beautiful life style of them. I also provide a more steady income by designing products from their artisan products and then invest the net profits back into their community. Picture beautiful handbags made from the Maya weaving/embroidery. I do this with the other indigenous communities of the Oaxaca and Inca. This is very rewarding and so much learning involved.

[cheezeandcrackers]

I work for a non-profit on the fundraising side. I worked remotely for over a year during the pandemic, going in to the office maybe once a week or so just to touch base and get some paperwork I need. I can still work remotely, but lately have chosen to go into the office most days. I really enjoy my job.

[wanderinglavender]

I started Leathercrafting after quitting the worst job I've ever had... Amazon. During the plandemic, I met someone who had a class on Leathercrafting and I figured why not try something new. Little did I know how much I'd love it, I have now been a Leathersmith for 1 year and am learning more and more each day. The greatest thing about this and selling my stuff at markets and online, is I can do it anywhere. And when I get my own rig, that's exactly what I'll be doing. Traveling and Leathercrafting!

[willdrivesu]

Great video Chris, I just recently stumbled onto your channel. You give good, solid advice which is really needed. As for work, one suggestion I would make for anyone who's interested in being on the road a lot but are unsure if they would like it, is to get a class A license and drive OTR in a semi. Allows one to get a taste of life on the road while being paid to do it and you'll have much of the same challenges as you would in a van or other vehicle life. Right now is a good time for this as a lot of companies are offering huge sign on bonuses and paid training. After you're training is over you will usually have a trainer/mentor who then teaches you the ins and outs of being an over the road driver. Having a class A license can open up a lot of opportunities that the majority of people never even think about, as it's not only for driving big rigs.

[kaylaf]

I work remotely full time and did this by simply asking my manager. I was in an inside sales role and explained I was moving to the US (from Canada) and that I’d love to continue working for the company if they would accommodate me moving. I worked for the company for 3 years at this point and was performing extremely well - so keep tenure and performance in mind when positioning this to your manager.

[DarcieRobertson]

When I was growing up my mom said she could see me having a job where I read books all day in my bathrobe. Now as a freelance editor, I do just that! It has been the most freeing working for myself, having an entrepreneurial and authority-averse nature. The strict 9-5 was soul-sucking. But, I work with publishers mostly and the one I work with the most was bought by one of the big 3 a few years back. Since then I’ve seen deadlines and pay get worse and worse. I can really see the beauty and benefit of diversifying your income streams because freelance work can be so variable. Saving for the lean times is essential too. The whole flow of work and spending changes when you work for yourself. It took me a little time to adjust to that, but once I did and learned to trust in provision coming to me, I found a much more holistic and enjoyable way of life.

[andyphan]

I've been in technology for 22 years, and was working from home 100% for 14 years. Love the remote work lifestyle, and great to hear your experience and advice on it. Thanks.

[andyking]

Great video…..I’m over in Scotland and worked remotely from home pretty much all year, with 2 or 3 visits to the office. I even worked from other parts of the UK, Spain and Cyprus. I worked in IT and my contacts were worldwide. I loved it, as it was a far less stressful time, you could manage time better, stop interruptions easily, no commute to and from work. I highly recommended this lifestyle to many friends before covid happened and now so many are living and believing in remote working as the best way to achieve their work/life balance. I’m pretty much retired now, and am contemplating buying a wee campervan…..not for permanent living, but occasional trips in Scotland, and a few longer ones into Europe. Time will tell. Keep the great videos coming

[terryulrich]

I am an ASL Sign Language Interpreter and coordinator. I work from home and would love to be out on the road; I am also a cruise Sign Language Interpreter that's how I found a way to travel

[arandomrocker]

I am still in high school, but I am already saving up for van life, you and Eamon and Bec have been my inspiration, I'd love to work remotely from a van. Thanks for the great information Christian

[JmoneyCCs]

Im a music event rigger that travels all around the country working Large Festivals and Arenas with amenities that vary drastically from one location to the next. Ive been looking into moving into van life for 10 yrs, and your videos being very well cinematicly made, are also very informative. I just purchased a Sprinter, and am also living small so I can afford to buy my own land/ home situation. And its not even living that small when the word is so big right outside your door. <3

[scotegertson]

Great information, Christian, thank you. Personally, I have been working remotely for over 20 years (as a software engineer). It requires high availability and a rock solid internet connection, but those are achievable. And the work/life balancing requires a certain skill also... I find that you have to love what you do in order to make it work. Thanks again for the video. I love all of your work!

[ingridcortes]

I’m a Dental Biller, have been doing it for 12+years. (It’s similar to Medical Billing & Coding) 2+ years ago I started Dental Billing remotely. I love it even more now that I get to work remotely.
We are actually in high demand right now.

[michaanto]

1. Content creation
2. Photography +viedography
3. Writing
4. Music
5. Social media marketing
6. Digital marketing
7. Financial advisor + Bookkeeper
8. Create and sell goods online
9. Online courses
10. Virtual assistant
11. Work remotely for your current employer
12. Travelling professional

[robertmills]

DBA / Developer / Data Architect and I've been working remote for the last 18 months. <3 IT! Starting to travel and find places to work while on the road.

[marilynwhaley]

I am a career coach and résumé branding specialist and I have been working remote for at least eight years, I can do this wherever there is a good Internet connection and I love it!

[SoundNSense]

I currently work 100% remotely and am a dog mom and SFH homeowner. I'm considering RV life (van life poses too many challenges to me as a single person) as an alternative to selling my home and buying a townhome. I think the only major thing stopping me is I want my non-dog-friendly pitbull to have the space (fenced yard or basement) to have the zoomies and run free.
I love these tips and it's given me a lot to think of, both with the pros and cons of van/RV living. Thank you for sharing!w

[truthbroncowithbillward]

Christian-your skill-set, confidence, and comfort levels with our nomadic lifestyle have escalated through the roof in the past numerous months! I have really enjoyed watching your talents grow! I have completed about a dozen videos and original songs that will be released as soon as the timing is right, but not yet.

[romanfrey]

If everyone lived in a van and knew your channel too, you'd get 7.9 billion thumbs up for this video.