💻 How to Make Money For Van Life: The Best Ways to Earn Cash With Your Van — vanspace 3D (2024)

Do you dream of hitting the open road in a campervan, living a life of freedom and adventure? Or did you finish your van conversion, but you wonder how to make money living on the road.

Whether you're trying to make some extra income or looking to make a full-time income, this guide is for you!

We'll show you ways to make money for van life in many different ways.

Sell van life stock photos and videos.

If you're a good photographer (or even just have a decent phone camera), another way to make money with your van is to sell stock photos and videos.

There are plenty of companies out there who are always on the lookout for new content, and you could earn a nice little passive income from selling your van photos and videos.

A quick search on Shutterstock or iStockphoto will show you how easy it is to sell your photos and videos. Just create an account, upload your content, and start making money!

Rent out your camper van

If you only use your van part-time, or if you're planning an extended trip without your van, consider renting it out on a campervan rental site.

Campervan rental is a great way to offset the cost of ownership, and you can usually set your rates and schedule so that it won't interfere with your holiday plans.

Some van lifers have even leveraged their first van into a full-time camper rental business by slowly converting more campers to rent out.

Just create an account on a camper van rental site like Goboony (EU) or Outdoorsy (NA) and start renting out your van.

💡Tip: If you're a full-time van lifer, rent out your van for a couple of nights to pay for a 'free' stay in an Airbnb or hotel to catch up on work and laundry. You get to take a well-deserved break from van life while someone else can live their van life dreams.

Become a freelancer on Upwork or Fiverr

If you have some skills that people are willing to pay for, another way to make money on the road is to become a freelancer.

Freelance jobs could be anything from social media marketing to web design to freelance writing and more.

There are lots of companies looking for freelancers to work remotely.

Below you'll find a list of jobs you can do without a degree. You can learn most of these skills in a few weeks for free on YouTube or through a course on Udemy.

Then all you need to do is set up a profile on a freelancing platform like Upwork or Fiverr and start bidding on jobs that interest you.

Just make sure you have a good internet connection, and you're good to go!

Freelance jobs you can do from your van that don't require a degree.

Virtual Assistant: Many companies are looking for a great virtual assistant.

Tasks can vary from a personal assistant where you're taking notes and helping people book trips or assisting an influencer or small business owner in running their business.

Ghostwriter: Do you like to write but don't want the hassle of having your name on a piece of work? Ghostwriting is perfect for you!

Ghostwriting is where you write something for somebody else, and they get all the credit.

Data entry: Many businesses have data that needs to be entered into a computer. The data can be anything from customer information to inventory.

Web design: Do you have a knack for design? There are always businesses looking for someone to help them spruce up their website or build them a new one entirely.

SEO Specialist: If you understand how Google works and how to optimize a website for better ranking, you can make good money as an SEO specialist.

Online Community Manager: This is an excellent job for someone who loves social media and interacting with people online.

Online community managers are responsible for moderating forums, managing social media accounts, and keeping the peace online.

Copywriter: A copywriter is somebody who writes advertising or marketing materials. You could be writing about anything from a tagline to a website's About Us page.

Podcast editor: Do you have experience editing audio? Lots of people are looking for help starting or improving their podcasts.

As a podcast editor, you would be responsible for cutting and splicing audio.

Video editor: Like audio editing, video editing is in high demand. If you have experience cutting and piecing together videos, you can make good money as a freelance video editor.

Graphic designer: Do you have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, or other design software?

Businesses are always looking for help with their branding, whether designing a new logo or creating social media graphics.

Translator: Are you bilingual or multilingual? Companies are always looking for translators to help them reach a wider audience.

Content Creator: If you're good at taking photos and videos and writing, you can make money as a content creator.

Content creation is a popular job for people living the van life and creating content for brands.

Proofreader: Do you have a keen eye for detail? Proofreading is a great way to make money on the road.

Businesses and authors always need someone to help them catch errors in their writing.

Voiceover artist: Do you have a great voice? You can make money from your van as a voiceover artist.

This involves recording your voice for commercials, e-learning courses, or even video games.

Freelance consulting: if you have a particular skill or talent, you can offer your services as a freelance consultant.

Freelancing is a great way to make some extra cash on the side – or even turn it into a full-time income if you're good at what you do.

Take your offline skill on the road.

Making money living in a van isn't just limited to online jobs. You can also make decent money working in-person jobs on the road.

Traveling mechanic: If you're handy with a wrench and have some mechanical knowledge, another way to make money with your van is to find freelance work fixing other people's vans!

Carpentry: If you're good with woodworking, people are always looking for custom furniture or van modifications.

Handyman services: If you're good at fixing things around the house or the camper van, you can offer your services as a handyman – or even start your own business if you're feeling ambitious.

Painting: Have an artistic side? Schedule jobs in all the places you'll visit during your travels.

Dog grooming: If you love dogs and have a van, this can be a great way to make money on the road.

There are many dog owners out there who would love to have their furry friend trimmed and good-looking while they're on vacation.

Dog walking: this is a great way to get some exercise while on the road and make some extra cash.

Start a pet sitting business: This is another excellent way to make money if you love animals.

You can offer your services to pet owners in the area who need someone to look after their pets while they're away.

Barber/hairstylist: You can offer your services to people on the road. If you're a licensed barber or hairstylist, This is a great way to make some extra cash and meet new people.

Photographer: this is a great way to make money if you have a good eye and editing skills. You can offer your services to people who want professional photos while on vacation.

Personal trainer or yoga teacher: If you're a certified personal trainer or yoga teacher, you can offer your services and host fitness boot camps on the road.

Housesitting: This is a great way to make money and experience different places. You can offer your services to people who need someone to watch their house while they're away.

To find work, you can search classified websites online or reach out to van lifers directly and offer your services.

You can also put up a sign at popular camping spots and van life meet-ups, letting people know that you're available.

Teach English online

A great way to earn income while living in a van is to teach online. You can find online teaching jobs in a variety of subjects.

One popular way to make money is to teach English. Many companies will hire native English speakers to teach English to students from all over the world.

You usually need a bachelor's degree, but you might be able to find some teaching gigs in other subjects if you can show you have plenty of experience.

To start teaching English online, check out VIPKid or EF Education First. Just create a profile and start applying for jobs!

Tutor online

Tutoring is excellent as you can offer tutoring on pretty much any subject both online or in person.

Online tutoring is excellent as you can do it from anywhere globally, as long as you have internet.

Help students write better essays online or help kids discover their passion for math. Tutoring is a rewarding job, and the possibilities are endless.

Post a listing on a free classifieds website or create a profile on a tutoring platform like Chegg Tutors or tutor.com and start applying for jobs.

You can also reach out to schools or parents directly and offer your services.

Making money as a (van life) content creator

You can start your website or social media account and build up a following. Online marketing and creating content is a fun way to earn additional income, and once you grow your audience, it can provide a good steady income.

You can reach out to van life websites and blogs and offer to write articles or create videos for them. This is a great way to get your name out there and build up a following.

Make money with affiliate marketing.

If you're not sure how to get started with content creation, one option is to become an affiliate for a company or brand whose products you use and love.

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products on your social media channels or website, and you'll earn a commission on any sales you generate.

Affiliate marketing is a great way to support the brands you love while making money.

To get started, reach out to companies whose products you use and love and see if they have an affiliate program. Once you're approved, you'll receive a unique link to share on your channels.

When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you'll earn a commission!

Make money by creating content for a brand.

Content creation is another great way to make money with your van.

If you're good at writing, video editing, or graphic design, you can offer your services to brands and businesses looking for content creators.

There are a few ways to find content creation work. You find work on freelance platforms like Upwork or Freelancer, or you can reach out to brands directly and pitch your services.

Offer your services as a (van life) influencer.

If you have a solid social media following, you can also offer your services as an influencer – creating sponsored posts or videos for brands.

Brand deals are a great way to earn money while promoting products or brands you love.

To get started, reach out to brands whose products you use and love and see if they're interested in working with you.

Once you've established a relationship with a few brands, you can start pitching them ideas for sponsored posts or videos.

Earn money with views on your social media content

Most people know that you can earn money with Google Adsense on your blog or youtube channel.

However, not everyone knows that you can also earn money by getting lots of views on TikTok or IG Reels.

Social media is a great way to connect with other van lifers and earn some money simultaneously.

Start your own business and sell a (digital) product.

Another way to make money with your van is to sell products you've made or sourced yourself.

You could sell anything from physical products like jewelry or pottery to van-related products like how-to guides or travel guides.

If you have a unique product that you people would love, there's a good chance you could make some money selling it.

Ebooks are also a great option as they're easy to produce, and you can sell your ebook on Amazon Kindle or through your own website.

Journals, planners, and templates are also popular options. You can create these using Canva or another similar program.

Creating print On Demand items (clothing, household items) is another excellent option if you are creative.

You can use Printful to create and sell your products that will ship directly to your customer. Perfect for if you're traveling!

Create a course: This is a great way to share your knowledge and experience with others, and if you market your course well, you could earn a nice income.

You can sell your products on your website or blog, through social media, or on a platform like Etsy or Amazon.

Look for remote jobs.

Remote work opportunities are becoming more common. You'll need a stable internet connection during working hours, but a remote job is a great way to earn money on the road.

There are special job boards for remote work, like Working Nomads, Weworkremotely, or Flexjobs, but you can also find remote jobs on Indeed or Linkedin.

• Digital marketing

• Social media manager

• Web development

• Copywriting

• Graphic designers

• Web developers

• Customer service

• UX/UI design

• Product managers

• Data entry

A quick Google search will reveal many more options. Once you've found a job you're interested in, reach out to the company directly or apply through their website.

If you don't want to commit to a full-time job, you can also start freelancing while giving you the flexibility to work while traveling and living in your van.

Try to transition your current job to a remote job.

If you already have a desk job that lets you work from home occasionally, why not ask your employer to let you work entirely remotely?

Tell your boss that you want to travel while working and show them how you'll make sure to have cell service and a stable internet connection wherever you go.

Request for a trial period so that your employer can see that you're capable of getting great results working remotely.

Seasonal jobs

Lots of businesses are looking for seasonal workers. A significant benefit is that you usually don't need cell service or a good wifi connection. Some popular seasonal jobs are:

• Fruit picking

• Farm work

• Construction

• Snow shoveling

• Working at a ski resort

• House sitting

• Cleaning houses

• Landscaping

• Working at national parks

• Working at a marina

• Working at a campground

Don't forget to watch the classifieds or seasonal retail work.

Odd jobs

Post on message boards that you're available for jobs like taking online surveys, painting, babysitting, mowing lawns, gardening, dog walking, yard work, helping someone move, or even shoveling snow in the winter.

Let's hit the road

There are a number of ways you can make money with your van. The important thing is to find something that works for you and that you're passionate about. With a little creativity and effort, you can earn a high income from your van, whether that is starting your own youtube channel, becoming a freelance writer, finding a seasonal job, starting an online business, or finding a great remote job. There are a lot of van life jobs not mentioned here, so use this list to get inspired, do some research, and in a few months, you can be making good money online.

Please note, that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you sign up for something through one of these links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.