I stumbled across this post from the Newcomer’s Network which appears to be a resource for transplants to Melbourne, Australia. (I wouldn’t mind transplanting myself there come to think of it.) The article was written in the halcyon yesteryear of 2004.
It discusses the opportunity and mentality behind freelance work from anywhere. It also provides to resources for finding work. You know: Elance, ContractedWork.com, Guru.com (formerly Emoonlighter.com), Allfreelancework.com
The great thing about freelancing is that you can do it from home (where ever that may be) and you never have to darken the doorway of your employer’s office. As long as you have a computer and an internet connection you can “chat” in real time about the requirements of your job, create and send your work and most importantly accept payments online. The jobs are almost always varied, which helps to fend off boredom and if you feel that you’ve worked enough for the month, you can stop.
There are numerous freelance websites where you post your portfolio for others to peruse and then bid on projects. On many of these sites you, as the service provider, pay a small commission to the website based on the amount you actually earn for being connected to paying jobs. Most conduct business in United States Dollars but will deposit the money you earn to any account you specify which makes freelance work perfect for expatriates and people living a global lifestyle.
You are especially competitive and will probably win many a bidding war if you live in a country where the almighty dollar is mightier than the country’s own currency. In places like Thailand, the Philippines, Panama, India, and Nicaragua just to name a few, you can live like royalty on less than $2,000 a month which is easily doable as a freelancer.
The article was written by a site called Jetsetliving.com which no longer exists. Too bad. It’s sounds very exciting!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Internet Backup 04.21.08 at 9:48 pm
haha that would be awesome to move to a tropical island and be able to make a living… that would be so nice, at least to due for a season or even a year
~Mike
Mark 04.21.08 at 9:55 pm
I agree Mike. I lived on a remote tropical island for a while (2 months) and it was awesome. However, it was so remote that there was no phone, internet, running water, sewer, roads…
The only way in was via a powered canoe.
Now that I think about it, an island with some “civilization” would be a little more enjoyable.