So you’ve been travelling for a while and you’re running low on funds?

Beginning to contemplate a return to the comforts of home? Don’t be ridiculous!

Here are some tips to help you earn some quick cash while staying under the bureaucratic radar…

Offer your services
Most accommodations will have cleaners, front desk staff and sometimes even chefs and bartenders. If your bank balance is feeling the pressure, offer to help out for a few weeks in exchange for free rent or food. Not only will this save you money, but it will also allow you to get to know the staff and locals, lending you a deeper insight into the culture, language and region.

Get your hands dirty
Mushroom picking, fruit picking, and tree planting are great ways to make cash while you travel. Some things to be aware of – firstly, these jobs are often in isolated regions. Find out if you’ll be given accommodation and if you need to take equipment and supplies. This work can be very hard on the body, with long hours, tough labour and dirty surrounds, so be prepared to work hard!

Share your linguistic expertise
English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and demand for teachers is high. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have any language teaching experience – in many cases being a native English speaker is enough. There are loads of websites with advice for ESL teachers, and even online courses (TEFL) if you’re that way inclined. You could place ads in local papers, libraries, windows or wherever you’re staying, or offer to teach the person who owns your hostel in exchange for rent. Alternatively, offer a language exchange so you can learn the local lingo.

Be sneaky
Go to local cafe, tactfully inform the manager of your circumstances and ask for a cash-in-hand job. It’s useful to have a good understanding of the local language here, to ensure that your pay, hours and duties are well understood on both sides. Employers can see cheap labour in a visa-free staff member – you don’t want to end up washing squat toilets for $2 an hour! But remember you’ll be working for significantly less under the table.

Get out on your own
Find a couple of friends and start a business mowing lawns, pruning bushes, washing cars, minding kinds – whatever you can think of. Hand out flyers in the local area with a sob story and an outline of the services you offer and you’re on your way!