How to Make Money Abroad Fast in 2026: Simple Remote Jobs You Can Start Today

Weekend getaways and long vacations are always a great option to step away from the norms of everyday life which in the western world often looks like work, rest, pay bills and repeat until you retire..only then can you live your life how you please. One of the luxuries I've had the privilege of experiencing is long term travel and living abroad. I didn't just wake up one day and decide that I wanted to travel for a living. It took years of unlearning and shifting my perspective on earning money to start the process of living abroad. The main question being: How will I make money? How much money do I need to live abroad comfortably?

Most people think you need $10,000–$20,000 saved before you can even think about traveling long-term. I used to believe that too. But what actually made my life abroad possible wasn’t a big savings account — it was learning how to earn money consistently from anywhere. Today I’m breaking down the exact remote job that allowed me to leave the U.S., travel through South America, and still pay all my expenses.

The misconception of needing tens of thousands of dollars to travel long-term often left me with feelings of doubt that this would ever be a reality for me. As a millennial American Black woman, I struggled from lack of support and resources to make this dream come true until I found Stephanie Perry of Vaycarious on Youtube. She helps Black women live out their dreams and take a sabbatical or move abroad. One thing she mentioned that has permanently shifted my perspective is that you don't need to have a lot of money saved before travelling, you just need to know how you will make money while abroad. From there I was introduced to a few different remote work options that I've implemented into my own life. So let’s get into the remote work option that has become the foundation of my life abroad.

I'm currently writing this blog post on a Tuesday afternoon from Loja, Ecuador on a local restaurant balcony overlooking the town square. My schedule is blocked off for the afternoon because I'll be attending a cultural event in the city later. At this same time last year, I was miserably sitting at the front desk of my hospital job dreaming of this exact moment. It has become a reality through teaching English online through Preply.

And before I go any further, let me say this: you don’t have to be a “digital nomad” in the tech sense to do what I’m doing. I’m not coding, running ads, or building a massive online brand (yet). I'm just someone who wanted more freedom, and tutoring online became one of the simplest income streams to support that lifestyle. If your goal is long-term travel, comfort abroad, or just breaking out of routine — teaching online can be that first step.

If you're fluent in any language or experienced in any subject matter and enjoy helping people, Preply is just what you need to create a new income stream to live abroad. You do not need a degree or years of experience to tutor on Preply. There are a number of online platforms to teach English but after much research, Preply is one of the best options for a few reasons: the account set up is straightforward and easy to navigate, you can set your own rates, and students find you.

Within my first few weeks on Preply, I had students messaging me, booking trial lessons, and even adding me to their favorites list. I don’t have a degree in English or a classroom teaching background — I just optimized my profile and showed up consistently. Your experience may be different, but visibility happens quickly when your profile is clear and niche-specific.

Depending on years of tutoring experience and industry specific certifications, you have the ability to set your rates which often range between $9 and $30+ for English tutors. Other English tutoring platforms do not give you the option to set your own rate so it's generally around $10 or less per session. Take a look at my Preply profile as a guide to help you set up your account.

Of course with anything, there are some caveats. Be sure to optimize your profile so students can find you quickly while searching through thousands of tutors. Do you specialize in Business English, SAT prep, or English literature? Put that in your profile so your ideal student finds you. Preply also takes a commission between 18-33% depending on the number of lessons you've taught in the platform. You must be mindful of the commission ensuring that your Preply rate and income will sustain you based on the cost of living of the places you will visit or live. The cost of living in many Latin American cities is fairly affordable so teaching online can very well be your only source of income if planned strategically.

Currently I earn about $550 per month teaching roughly 16 hours a week while traveling through South America. My tutor rate ranges between $12 and $17 depending on when the student signed up for lessons with me. When I started tutoring in August, my rate was $11 and I quickly attracted students with that pricing. Although I would recommend starting at a lower rate to attract new students, keep in mind the preparation it takes to plan and execute lessons in the Preply classroom. I quickly realized it required more effort, so I raised my rate by $2 after the first few students and continue to increase the rate for new students by $1-2 every couple months or so. This is also heavily suggested by other tutors using the platform because you are gaining more experienced as a tutor.

Here’s what that income actually looks like for me week to week:

• Hours taught per week: ~16

• Effective hourly rate after commission: $8–$13

• Monthly total: $550–$650 depending on bookings

• Lesson prep: 1–2 hours per week

• Messaging students: 10–15 minutes per day

As your number of lessons increases, your commission decreases — meaning you take home more money over time. Consistency really is key.

Why Teaching English Online Is One of the Easiest Remote Income Streams for Travelers

There are a lot of online income options out there — content creation, dropshipping, freelancing — but many of them take months to build before you see steady money. Teaching English online is different. You can create a profile today and potentially earn your first income within a week or two. If your goal is to start traveling sooner rather than later, tutoring is one of the most practical and accessible ways to support yourself abroad.

The money I earn through Preply is used for food, transportation, and extra activities throughout the month. I do not pay for accommodations or utilities because I housesit as a means to reduce my travel expenses. I generally spend less than $50 per week on food and activities. In most of Ecuador, meals range from $3 to $10, taxis cost about $1.50 locally, and groceries are very affordable as compared to the United States. That same $550 of extra income in the United States would last the average person a significantly less amount of time if they don't have major responsibilities. So, if making your money stretch is a priority, choose a city where the cost of living will sustain you.

I used to daydream about living abroad while sitting at a front desk, counting the hours until I could clock out. Now I spend my afternoons on balconies in Ecuador, planning trips to new cities between teaching sessions. What changed wasn’t luck — it was choosing a remote income stream that supported the life I actually wanted. If you’re reading this and wondering whether long-term travel is possible for you, it is. Start where you are, earn what you can, and build from there. Preply was my first step, and it might be yours too.

If you’re figuring out your own path to living abroad and building an income that supports your life—not the other way around—I’d love to share more of what’s helped me along the way.

Join my email list and I’ll send you a free step-by-step checklist for setting up your online teaching profile so you can start earning from anywhere in the world.

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