Unemployment in the UK is rising fast, and it’s already hit record levels in the US – now that the rest of Europe and most of the rest of the world is having to admit to the fact that their economies are as messed up too, we are all feeling the pinch no matter where in the world we’re living.
In the UK we hear from those who want to emigrate to escape the high tax, high crime, low government investment programme in Britain, and who are being forced to work at least two jobs just to make ends meet.
Whilst we understand that moving abroad can indeed make many people’s lives better on so many levels, it is also important to recognise that there are fiscal issues overseas as well. Expats are not escaping the global economic meltdown – they’re just living in a nation with a better climate and a healthier work/life balance! So, if you’re living overseas and you need some extra cash, here are 10 ways for expats who are living abroad to perhaps make more money!
1) Teach English as a Foreign Language to the Locals
Whilst having a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) qualification is preferable if you do want to teach your mother tongue abroad – and it’s a requirement if you want to teach in any professional language institution – you may find some people in your local environment who are looking for a private teacher. You can advertise in the local paper or in local shops, and if you keep your fees at a fair rate compared to private language colleges, you may well find you pick up some students.
2) Teach a Foreign Language to Newly Arriving Britons
Developing on the above idea, if you’re living abroad and have learned the local language, you could market yourself as a teacher to relocating foreigners moving to your area. You will have the benefit of having learned the language as a new foreign resident yourself, so you will know which words and phrases are important to learn first. You can also help with accents and colloquialisms that even those who have a basic grasp of the language before they relocate may struggle with.
3) Become an Expat Expert and Facilitator
Whenever you move to a new country there is always a ruck of paperwork that needs filling in, and processes and procedures that have to be followed and abided by! As someone who has been there, done that and survived, you can offer your services to expatriates who are newly arrived and who don’t know how to get a residency permit, a new driving license, register to get utilities connected or to import their worldly goods. You will probably find that newly arrived expats who are struggling will pay well for your services!
4) Work as a Private Tutor Making the Most of Your Skills
If you have a particular skill or qualification that you can market, perhaps you can get paid to teach others. Whether you’re a good and keen yet amateur painter who could run classes for other interested parties, of you’re a maths genius and you can teach the local children their sums…think about the skills and qualifications that you have. Then think about how you can turn them to use for others and get out there and market yourself!
5) Open Up Spare Rooms and Run a B and B
If you’re living abroad and you have a villa, house or even an apartment and you have spare bedrooms available, you could consider renting them out – either on a bed and breakfast, fairly formal basis – or just to students or backpackers who are passing through. You could also let out a spare room to a local tenant in need of somewhere to live for the slightly longer-term…
6) Transform an Outhouse into a Self Contained Holiday Unit
If you have any outbuildings that you’re not using and you live in an appealing setting, for a relatively minimal outlay you could transform unused space into a business opportunity.
7) Export Local Produce to the UK
If you live in a nation or just a region where they produce any special food, drink or craft items perhaps, would there be a market for them in the UK? Perhaps you could sell such things over the internet, or maybe you could find a shop, market stall or stockist in the UK with whom you could work.
8) Import British Produce for Expats
Expanding on the last idea, what about helping out the expats in and around your local area. What is it that people miss most about the UK? Is it Bisto gravy, salt and vinegar crisps, HP Sauce? Could you get a friend in the UK to work with you and help you supply the local community with what they want for a small but fair mark up? Put the word out and see who’s interested?
9) Run Tourism Tours of Your Local Area
As you get to know your local area, so you’ll get to know back roads and hidden coves, the best cafes and restaurants and the quietest times to see the sites of interest. So why not market your local knowledge to holidaymakers arriving from your old home nation. They will feel at home and safe being shown round by you, and at the same time they will know that you will show them what others on the tourist trail will miss. You can put flyers in villas and hotels, advertise in the local press that tourists read, and tell all your fellow expats that you’ll show their guests around for a few days so that they don’t outstay their welcome by the pool!
10) Blog/Write/Publish Facts About Your New Home Nation
And finally, if you have the skills and the talent to write about or photograph your local environment, perhaps you could run a blog about it and invite local companies to advertise on it. Alternatively maybe other tourism sites and companies will buy your content?
As an expat there are plenty of opportunities potentially available to you – just think a little outside the box and put in a bit of effort, and you never know, you could start a whole new business off the back of your extra money making idea!
