Four Things to do when you're Broke

After travelling for a long period of time, some of us go home broke and penniless, even if we did not intend to go thru that situation. A lot of backpackers that I met were travelling until they ran out of money.

Here are some things that I’m doing to address that.

1. Seek Employment: This would probably be the most popular way of getting back on track (financially). As soon as you get back, take some rest and soak up the remaining spirit of your recent adventure for a couple of weeks and then start job hunting. Start by updating your resume and register to any jobs websites available in your country. It may also help if you check the classified ads of your local newspaper. You might find a job that would suit your interest.

2. Sell Stuff: If you have some stuff that you’re not using anymore, it might help if you sell them to anyone interested. Even though you might not get the amount that you paid for that particular item, you would still get some bucks back. You may also buy and sell stuff if you have some cash to spare.

3. Use your Talent: If you are artistically inclined, you might try profiting from your talent. Some people write about their experiences and sell their articles to other bloggers or newspaper and magazine agencies. Profit from your creativity.

4. Take Advantage of Online Sources of Income: There seems to be a lot of opportunities in the World Wide Web. My aunt’s sister in law is actually earning some money by doing freelance SEO stuff. Some people are blogging to earn money (including me). Try browsing the internet and you might find an opportunity to earn. Who knows, you might be able to sustain your wanderlust with your online stint.

If everything fails, you may try reaching out to your family and friends. Make a loan while looking for a more stable source of income. There’s nothing wrong in asking for help, especially if you really need one. I’m sure they’ll be happy to support you in your current situation. And also, don’t forget to pay them back.

by Alex E. Proimos.