How Remote Work Funds Our Family’s Adventures (and Can Fund Yours Too!)

Discover how remote work can fund your family’s travel adventures. Learn from our experience working from Vietnam, Turkey, Greece, Spain and more since 2021.

Introduction

The dream of working remotely and travelling the world with your family is no longer just a fantasy. It’s been around a while, but since 2020 there has been an explosion of opportunities to work remotely.

In June 2021, that dream became a reality for us! Thanks to the flexibility and freedom of remote work, we’ve been able to explore new destinations, experience diverse cultures, and create lasting memories together.

We’ve worked from Vietnam, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, back to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and New Zealand. We’ve even done a full round the world from Auckland New Zealand to New York, USA, back to New Zealand, over to Malaysia, to Spain, the UK, a trans-atlantic cruise (thanks Starlink), Caribbean islands, a couple of months in Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama, Japan… And of course, back to our favourite place, Vietnam.

Our family enjoying a peaceful kayaking adventure in Vietnam - one of the many experiences made possible by remote work flexibility.

How We Make It Work

Since 2021, the key to our nomadic lifestyle has been my remote job as a social media support specialist for a cryptocurrency wallet company.

I took this role in mid-2021 because our funds were almost dried up, and I was really worried our sole income stream was too reliant on third parties. It turns out my instincts were on point as shortly after I started work, our crypto platform reduced payments, and soon after, completely stopped payments. It was my first lesson in Pay to Profit platforms - I’ll get into those in another blog soon. Be wary of anyone selling things where you need to ‘invest’ and earn a return. Especially when it is focused on crypto. You could lose a lot more than money (friends, your reputation - you name it).

How Did I Get This Job?

Since around 2015, I began learning everything I could about online incomes and businesses. I had tried everything from blogging to coaching and courses, even high-ticket affiliate marketing.

Along the way, I invested tens of thousands into coaches, mentors and courses. One area in which I felt I learned a lot of valuable skills, and helped my online presence take off, was digital marketing.

Back in 2019, I invested in the Affiliate Institute as a founding member (I can’t remember exactly how much I paid, but it was around $2k USD). Now, I think it still exists, but I can’t even access the training. So don’t buy something that costs $2K that you can’t even access a couple of years down the track. That’s just silly.

In saying that, it was excellent quality, and I learned a lot through many online live classes. I started running ads and refined my copywriting skills. I learned about attraction marketing.

It was the skills I learned during this time building my businesses, and building my online presence that helped me cross the line for my role!

Benefits of Remote Work for Funding your Travel

Location Independence

Remote work allows you to work from anywhere with a decent internet connection. This frees you from the constraints of a traditional office job and opens doors to travel opportunities.

Flexible Hours

Many remote jobs offer flexible schedules, allowing you to work around your travel plans and family commitments. I’m fortunate to be able to schedule 30-40 hours a week around my life. And it’s worked for us!

Work-Life Balance

Remote work can often lead to a better work-life balance. You can structure your workday to accommodate travel experiences and spend quality time with loved ones.

Increased Productivity and Focus

Remote workers often report higher productivity levels due to fewer office distractions, reduced interruptions from colleagues, and the ability to create personalized work environments that suit our concentration needs.

Finding Remote Work Opportunities

There are numerous online platforms where you can find remote work opportunities. I recently wrote a comprehensive blog post detailing over 30 remote work sites that are actually worth your time - check out our complete guide to remote work sites for 2025 for the full list with direct links and insider tips.

Popular Remote Job Platforms

• We Work Remotely - Curated remote job listings
• Remote.co - Established remote work platform
• FlexJobs - Hand-screened remote opportunities
• Working Nomads - Digital nomad focused jobs
• AngelList Talent - Startup and tech opportunities

Learning Valuable Skills for Remote Work

The ability to work remotely often hinges on having relevant skills. Investing in online courses or programs specializing in digital marketing, content creation, or virtual assistance can significantly enhance your chances of landing a remote job.

If you’re interested in building an online business alongside remote work, check out our guide on how to build an online business to fund travel. We also have a comprehensive resource on affiliate income strategies that can complement your remote work income.

💡 Keep in mind: If you learn the right high-end AI skills, you’ll be able to aim for higher-paid jobs in any of these areas.

Job Categories and Required Skills

Customer Support Roles - Social media, email, chat support

• Skills needed: Communication, empathy, problem-solving, CRM software, AI-powered customer service tools
• AI enhancement: Chatbots, automated responses, sentiment analysis

Content Creation - Writing, editing, graphic design

• Skills needed: Writing, editing, design software, SEO basics, AI content tools
• AI enhancement: AI writing assistants, design automation, content optimization

Digital Marketing - SEO, social media, email marketing

• Skills needed: Marketing fundamentals, analytics, social media platforms, email marketing tools
• AI enhancement: AI-powered analytics, automated campaigns, predictive marketing

Virtual Assistance - Administrative and organizational tasks

• Skills needed: Organization, communication, project management, office software
• AI enhancement: AI scheduling, automated workflows, smart document management

Software Development - Programming and technical roles

• Skills needed: Programming languages, problem-solving, version control, AI coding tools
• AI enhancement: AI code completion, automated testing, intelligent debugging

Essential Skills for Remote Work

• Digital Communication - Email, chat, video conferencing
• Time Management - Self-discipline and organization
• Technical Proficiency - Basic computer and software skills
• Problem Solving - Independent troubleshooting
• Adaptability - Working across different time zones and cultures

From Remote Work to a World of Opportunity

Remote work is a fantastic springboard for a location-independent lifestyle. It not only allows you to travel but also opens doors to other income streams, like affiliate marketing or starting an online business.

Side note: It’s a lot less stressful building your side incomes when you have a steady income stream. It’s even better if it’s a remote role since you can then leverage lower cost-of-living countries while you build out your ultimate lifestyle.

For more insights on the mindset needed for this lifestyle, explore our guide on developing the right mindset for funding travel. And if you’re interested in investment strategies to accelerate your travel funding, check out our investment guide for travelers.

Tips for Success in Remote Work

For a comprehensive guide to remote work strategies specifically designed for traveling parents, check out our detailed guide: 10 Remote Work Strategies for Traveling Parents (2025 Guide). It covers everything from time blocking and accommodation selection to time zone management and tech setup.

Our Remote Work Journey

Since 2021, we’ve worked from over 15 countries across 4 continents. Each location has brought its own unique challenges, rewards, and valuable lessons. Here’s our journey through different regions:

Europe: Beautiful but Challenging

Europe offered rich cultural experiences but came with its own challenges:

Turkey: Remote Work in the Countryside

• Internet Surprise: I had no idea about the internet quality in Turkey until we arrived. It was terrible! I had to arrange special internet setup while house sitting in the middle of nowhere.

Spain: The Importance of Speaking Up

• Hidden Internet Fix: In Spain, we experienced frustrating WiFi issues for months. I discovered the best thing to do is contact the landlord because sometimes the provider can fix the connection remotely. Once I finally spoke up about it, our speed improved drastically.
• Valuable Lesson: Don’t suffer in silence with tech issues! The second half of our stay was much more productive after addressing the problem that could have been fixed earlier.

Bulgaria: Understanding Shared Infrastructure

• Floor-Based Routers: In Bulgaria, we experienced apartment living with routers shared per floor rather than per unit.
• Peak Time Planning: We learned to schedule important calls and bandwidth-heavy tasks outside of peak usage times when internet speeds would slow down.
• Adapting Work Hours: This experience taught us to be flexible with our schedule, sometimes shifting work earlier or later to access better connectivity.

General European Experiences

• Higher Costs: Beautiful cities and rich culture come with higher living expenses.
• Excellent Infrastructure: Despite occasional challenges, the reliable infrastructure generally made work easy.
• Time Zone Advantage: European time zones worked well for collaborating with both Asian and US colleagues.

Latin America: Vibrant but Variable

Our time in Latin America was filled with warmth and challenges:

• Power Outages in Dominican Republic: Frequent electrical outages taught us the value of backup plans.
• Variable Internet: Quality varied dramatically between locations.
• Affordable Living: Lower costs allowed us to enjoy comfortable accommodations.
• Hotel Room Escapes: In affordable countries like these, hotel rooms came in handy when I needed extra quiet time away from family noise for important calls.

Asia Pacific: Diverse Experiences

The Asia Pacific region offered incredible diversity:

Vietnam: Our Favorite Base

Vietnam has become our favorite long-term base for many reasons:

• Affordability for Families: We love Vietnam because I can afford a larger house, which is essential with four children.
• Excellent Internet: Reliable connectivity makes work seamless.
• Strategic Location: It’s close enough for family to visit from New Zealand.
• Power Solutions: Vietnam has occasional power issues, but coworking spaces and cafes with generators have saved many workdays.
• Food and Culture: The amazing food and friendly people make daily life enjoyable.

New Zealand: Home Country Challenges

• Starlink Solution: I bought a Starlink in New Zealand because the only internet available at our home was poor ADSL. It was a game-changer for remote locations.
• Different Community Dynamic: We found fewer worldschool families and many were traveling faster. However, we had slowed down and managed to connect with a few local homeschoolers which was great.
• Family Connections: Being closer to extended family was valuable but came with its own scheduling challenges.

Malaysia: Urban Convenience with Challenges

• Mall Living: We enjoyed our time in Malaysia, living right on top of a mall in Petaling Jaya. This unique setup provided endless entertainment options just an elevator ride away.
• Social Connections: There was plenty to do for the kids, they could easily meet their friends, and we had our own social circle nearby.
• Creative Internet Solutions: Our apartment’s internet came with a unique challenge—it was connected to a router in a different apartment! This taught us adaptability, as we learned to schedule important calls during more stable hours and developed backup workflows.
• Tech Lesson Learned: I’d initially invested in the wrong SIM card for the area, which taught us the importance of researching local carriers before arrival. Despite occasional connectivity hiccups, the convenience of our location and rich social life made Malaysia a memorable experience.

Other Asia Pacific Benefits

• Family-Friendly Options: Many destinations catered well to children.
• Good Urban Connectivity: Major cities generally offered reliable internet (with our Malaysia experience being the exception that taught us valuable lessons!).
• Diverse Landscapes: From beaches to mountains, the variety kept experiences fresh.

Managing Work Across Time Zones

Working across multiple time zones required smart strategies:

• The Clocker App: I use Clocker App to manage all my timezones. It keeps UTC shown in my menu bar and makes scheduling much easier.
• Clear Expectations: We’ve learned to set clear expectations about availability with our teams.
• Backup Internet Everywhere: Mobile hotspots across different carriers have saved us countless times in all regions.

Work-Life Balance on the Road

Maintaining boundaries while traveling required intentional practices:

• Physical Separation: Creating dedicated work spaces wherever possible.
• Structured Hours: Consistent work schedules that accommodate local experiences.
• Regular Breaks: Taking time to enjoy our surroundings - the whole reason we travel!

Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Work and Travel

Conclusion: Our Story is Just the Beginning

Our experience working around the world is a testament to the power of remote work. By leveraging your skills and embracing the possibilities, you too can turn your travel dreams into reality. With the right approach, remote work can be the key to unlocking a world of adventure for you and your family!

Remote work has transformed our family’s ability to travel and explore the world together. While it comes with its own set of challenges, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties.

The key to success is finding the right balance between work and travel, investing in the necessary skills and technology, and being adaptable to different environments and situations.

If you’re considering remote work to fund your travels, start by identifying your skills, researching opportunities, and taking small steps toward your goal. The journey to location independence is unique for everyone, but with persistence and the right approach, it’s definitely achievable.

Recommended Resources

• 30+ Best Remote Job Sites for Digital Nomads in 2025
• 10 Remote Work Strategies for Traveling Parents
• Building an Online Business to Fund Your Travels
• Travel the World on Autopilot: Easy Affiliate Income Streams
• The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work Benefits for Travel Funding