Earn Online While Traveling
Turn your laptop into your passport to freedom. Work anywhere, grow everywhere.
When we first started traveling full time, one of our biggest questions was simple: how do we keep earning while on the road? Over the years, we’ve tested platforms, side hustles, and creative tools. Some didn’t last, but others became part of our daily routine or long-term strategy. This page brings them together; the services we’ve personally used to build income streams, from teaching online and blogging to creating products and monetizing content.
Our Approach to Earning Online
Different paths, one goal: sustainable travel
There’s no single way to earn as a digital nomad. Some travelers teach, others create, and many combine multiple income streams.
For us, it’s been about experimenting and finding platforms that actually deliver. Below you’ll find the ones we continue to trust, along with links to our blogs that go deeper into how they work.
Swagbucks
Earn extra cash and gift cards through everyday online activities.
✓ Complete surveys and other online tasks
✓ Earn cashback when shopping online
✓ Redeem rewards for cash or gift cards
✓ Free and flexible, with no fixed commitment
New members may qualify for a $10/£10 sign-up bonus. Availability and terms vary by location.
Printify
Create and sell products online with no stock or shipping hassles
✓ Print-on-demand for t-shirts, mugs, and more
✓ Integrates with Etsy, Shopify, and other stores
✓ No upfront costs — pay as you sell
✓ We’ve used Printify to fuel our own store
Join Printify today and get started on your drop-shipping journey.
AltText.ai
Make your site accessible in seconds with optimized image tags
✓ Saves users hours of manual tagging
✓ Helps sites meet accessibility standards
✓ Improves SEO and image search rankings
✓ Seamless CMS & Shopify integrations
Stop wasting time on repetitive image work. InstantAlt handles bulk alt text in one click so you can focus on scaling.
Travel Payouts
Earn commissions by helping travellers book smarter
✓ Monetize flights, hotels, and travel bookings
✓ Trusted global brands and competitive payouts
✓ Easy-to-use tools, widgets, and deep links
✓ Perfect for blogs, YouTube, and digital creators
Turn your travel content into passive income • Earn from flights, hotels, and more • Start free and scale as you grow •
SafetyWing
Turn recommendations into a regular passive income
✓ Refer SafetyWing insurance to fellow nomads.
✓ Earn ongoing commissions for each sign-up.
✓ No need to be an insurance pro — just share.
✓ Great for creators, bloggers, and communities.
Get a $100 bonus for signing up and making your first qualifying referral | Get a $500 bonus for completing five qualifying referrals
AFFILIATE PROMOTION
Helpful Reads From Our Blog
See how we’ve built our online income
Curious how these tools work in practice? We’ve shared our experiences openly on the blog. These posts give a behind-the-scenes look at the steps, mistakes, and wins that shaped our journey.
Explore More Travel Resources
Four categories, all built from tools we trust
AFFILIATE PROMOTION
Stay Connected
Tips, tools, and inspiration straight to your inbox
Our fortnightly newsletter is where we share new blogs, resources, and offers — plus a peek into our life on the road. No spam, just genuine inspiration and practical advice.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
We only recommend resources we’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your travels. These partnerships help us keep Closer Lives running, so thank you for supporting our journey.
Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives
Closer Lives was created to bring people, places, and stories closer together. Through travel, culture, history, poetry, and personal experience, we share the moments that shape how we see the world, and ourselves.
If you enjoy thoughtful travel guides, real experiences, and creative storytelling, you’re in the right place. You can also explore our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium, featuring inspirational travel pieces designed by us and shipped worldwide.