3 Odd Jobs I Did to Earn Travel Money
When I started to travel in the U.S. back in 2009, I barely spoke English, knew no one, and didn’t know what exactly I want to do here. All I had was a one-way ticket and an unstoppable desire to travel. I wrote a long list of places I dreamed to visit in the States. Californication was calling my name! Here are my 3 most memorable side jobs I did to cover the travel expenses.
Tie-Dye Girl
I came across this non-profit organization (who actually lets you keep some profit), and they taught me how to Tie Dye. It was incredibly fun and very creative. We would paint different designs on plain white shirts, mix and match colors, as well as come up with new patterns. Even though I had never drawn anything in my life and had not been very artistic, I quickly learned the techniques.
| Earnings $$ | Difficulty $ | Fun $$$ |
Being happy was the main key to success in this job
La Jolla shores. Our mini store
Perfume Seller
This job, like no other, made me step out of my comfort zone. It was one of the kiosks in the mall where you have to hustle people to get their attention. I am not that outgoing but I had to put on the clown mask and play the game. The catch is to get enough interest to spark a conversation with a potential customer. That job was my one and only attempt to conquer the Hollywood! I didn’t win the Oscar, but earned enough to pay for few big trips.
| Earnings $$$ | Difficulty $$$ | Fun $ |
Dog Handler
I am a mad dog lover, so this job was a great adventure in itself. For over 2 months I was taking care of 57 sled dogs in Alaska. While most of you picture it as a bundle of cuteness and cuddling (and yes there was plenty of it!), it was hard physical labor. It takes a full big (and very heavy!) bucket of food to feed these fur babies and about 10 buckets of water; twice per day. Even my wildest imagination didn’t picture how much poop big dogs can produce! Let me just tell you; a lot! By the end of my term I felt some muscles in my arms that had to long been in hiding.
| Earnings $ | Difficulty $$ | Fun $$$ |
You have to love dogs for this job. And I mean it!
My “office” as a dog handler
There are no good or bad jobs when it comes to earning travel money. In the moments of frustration, I thought of how far the earned money had and will take me, and the thought was warming my spirit. Happy travels, everyone!
POSTED BY TRAVELBLOND ON FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016 AT 09:51 PM
FILED UNDER ENGLISH
Dilyara
Awesome blog, Julia! Very inspiring!
travelblond
Thank you , Dilyara!
Flo
The tie-dye job sounds like so much fun! And although I LOVE dogs I’m not sure how well I would do cleaning up 57 big dogs’ poops haha. Good on you for doing all these odd jobs to travel! #flyawayfriday
Flo
The tie-dye job sounds like so much fun! And although I LOVE dogs I’m not sure how well I would do cleaning up 57 big dogs’ poops. Good on you for doing all these odd jobs to travel! Whatever it takes, right? #flyawayfriday
Chloe Hahn
Omg I love that you were a dog handler!!! Those pups look adorable? It looks a ton of huskies? Too CUTE! I would’ve happily have done that job haha! Thank you for sharing on #FlyAwayFriday an can’t wait to read your next one Xo Chloe
TravelBlond
Thank you!
You know cleaning up after 57 big dogs was the best work out I ever had :)) LoL
Kim
How great is that!! And you would have gained different perspectives and skills from each one, so super cool! How did you manage to find the tie dye or dog handler jobs? Never knew they existed but sound fun!
Tiffany
Hmmm…interesting about selling perfume! There’s always some way to make money for travel! 🙂
alex
57 dogs!!? That sounds like my worst nightmare! But worth it for the travel eh!? Nice to learn a little bit more about you. #FlyAwayFriday
Kreete
What great ideas for jobs! I have always earned money working in hospitality and have been trying to be more creative and find fun alternatives. Thanks for sharing! I would love the dog handler job! #FlyAwayFriday
Kana
Omg no way! A tie-dye job?! That sounds so fun! Super colorful too! Obviously I’m in love with your dog handler job too, I love dogs so much – but cleaning up after that many would be a serious cuteness killer haha! Thanks so much for sharing this on #FlyAwayFriday – hope to see you again this week! xo
Diam
Hi Yulia! I found your blog from lifeinwanderlust.com. I saw you’re interview and it was intriguing! What carptured my attention is the fact that you said “I moved to California 8 years ago and I still have regrets about that impulsive decision” it was very interesting so I had to come check out your blog! Nice post btw!