How can we make some money while in europe?

[catfewd]

My girlfriend and I are going to backpack next april to july (4 months), when we get to europe we'll only have 2500$ However we'll have a 3 month eurailpass each. What are some things we can do to make money while traveling, is there farm work... roadwork... fishing boats. Nothing scares me (except for feeding rabid lions and stuff)

Any ideas on how to make some cash while we're there would be greately appreciated, we'll be everywhere the eurailpass takes us...

[nemesis331]

the first thing that comes to mind would be see if you could work for your bed. this way your cutting out a major expenditure. i'm sure you could find things to do that aren't too involved that would equate to a free nights sleep

[Esterina]

There are a few books where you could find inspiration. The bible on the subject : Work your way around the world, from Susan Griffith. They just published the new updated version.

[catfewd]

Originally posted by nemesis331@Dec 19 2005, 12:32 AM
the first thing that comes to mind would be see if you could work for your bed.* this way your cutting out a major expenditure.* i'm sure you could find things to do that aren't too involved that would equate to a free nights sleep

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By working for a bed, do you mean finding a hostel and asking them if there's any work we could do, or are you talking about asking random people on the street if we could help them out? on the same note, are the hostels usually open, we don't necessaraly have to make reservations beforehand do we?

[bluepea]

Yeah, you can ask at hostels if they need help. When we went to a small city in Ireland, there was a girl that had just started working there. Just funding part of her trip. They were looking for some other help as well.

Whether the hostels will be open or not is hard to say - a weekend during peak tourist time in a major city? If nothing else, try to book 2-3 days ahead.

If you're brave, one thing you could do to make money cities is street performances of some kind - dress up, sing, play music, magic tricks, whatever.

[Joker]

Sell yourself for medical science. :D

[catfewd]

Originally posted by Joker@Dec 20 2005, 12:22 PM
Sell yourself for medical science. :D

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I remember that rumor about being able to sell your left nut to medical science for like $15000... I think I spent about a year researching that.

Needless to say I still have both nuts and I'm broke.

Are there places in europe that I can volunteer for science studies for cash or are there any known ones in the US? especially in the Florida area.

My girlfriend plays the guitar, so that could help, I could always dress up in a monkey suit and dance around I suppose.

[TheWills]

well your bold I'll give ya that lol, Um busking is defenetly a way to make cash it can be hit or miss and some places you dont wanna be on someone elses busking turf could be hassle, I think england is hard into the medical studies should look into that and as far as working for your bed, I would say go for it thats what I plan on doing!

[TheJake]

IMO Busking is the way to go. I've only done it once and it was as a joke with some friends in chicago but i got like 6 bucks in 10 minutes. Not a bad deal for just sitting on a corner looking shitty.


I've heard that the street performers can make a ton more. I'd say learn the harmonica or kazoo and grab a corner!

[expatben]

Another idea is give English lessons for food? Or in a bar say ask if you could work a shift or two for a free meal-that can be a way to curb food expenses. Be careful with busking in most places its OK but some it could land you a fine.

[catfewd]

Originally posted by TheJake@Dec 20 2005, 08:35 PM
IMO Busking is the way to go. I've only done it once and it was as a joke with some friends in chicago but i got like 6 bucks in 10 minutes. Not a bad deal for just sitting on a corner looking shitty.
I've heard that the street performers can make a ton more. I'd say learn the harmonica or kazoo and grab a corner!

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Busking... Is that just plain old begging for money, or does that have to entail some sort of performance art? We already decided if we have to beg for money at some point our cardboard sign will read someting like " Bad budgeting, please help "

[aki-chan]

Making money is NO problem in Europe...my two year trip to England was extended to a two year tour of Europe because it was so easy to find jobs.

Like other people said, working for your bed is a great way to cut costs and is a lot of fun- but drawbacks are you meet almost all travelers, no locals.

Hostel staff almost always knew of a place that would hire a grubby packpacker for a short time and pay in cash AND accomodation though. Just by asking the hostel staff and following a few leads (dead ones at times) I got jobs as a barefoot bartender on a Greek beach, a painter, a caulker, and a grape picker in Switzerland. The best part was that I worked with locals and even Kosovoan refugees. What more could a girl ask for?

I only found myself really hard up once, when I spent my last few bucks on a roll of paper towels and glass cleaner and ambush-washed people's windows at stoplights for tips. If all else fails, try that!

Good luck, have a ball....

[catfewd]

aki-chan - thank you for the words of inspiration, we were starting to get a little jittery about the money situation, but i guess that's just a part of it, especially when backpacking for the first time!

[TheJake]

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[catfewd]

Originally posted by TheJake@Dec 22 2005, 08:31 PM
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ROFLMAO I bet that guy makes more than I do at my government job :P

[aki-chan]

jitters are all part of it...you might find yourself a bit hard up, but you'll be surprised at yourself and how creative you can get...

[SuDz]

Another option is to ask other backpackers if they are working while on the road. If they are they might be able to give you a introduction to their bosses or give the boss a reccomendation for you ahead of time. I mean, if you find a few that did it it will give you a feeling that at least it can be done.

SuDZ

[aliz]

whats the go with visas etc in regards to working your way around europe? I plan on getting a working holiday visa for england because i will probably be there for a while, but if i do other work here and there in other countries are immigration people gonna hunt me down and demand a visa or something?

[d_fresh]

busking means playing an instrument on the street or some sort of performance..