

Traveling the world is on most of our bucket lists, but we've all got financial responsibilities. With millennials between 25 and 34 having an average of $42,000 in debt from student loan and credit card debt, important milestones like home buying, starting families, and even travel are taken off the table for many working diligently to get the credit pile up off our backs.
Since travel is good for mental and physical health (trust me, science says so), taking time to get away is essential to our self-care. So how can we travel and maintain our financial responsibilities? The short answer: Think about what you're good at and make extra money while you're traveling the world.
Thanks to the world wide web, it is easier than ever to turn your hobbies or interests into additional cash flow. Here's how:
1.Rent Out Your Home Or Apartment
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If you're planning to be away for an extended period, no need to pay the mortgage or rent on your place if you can get a trustworthy tenant to maintain the place while you're gone. You can also rent your home out on Airbnb. Renting through Airbnb might take a little extra effort since you won't be in the city, but hiring a cleaning crew to maintain the property between visits and possibly hiring a person to help guests locally can help streamline your process.
2.Use Your Voice
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For my writers out there, many publications are looking for new voices in areas like travel, beauty, fashion, and politics. Before you set out on your tour around the world, think about publications you enjoy reading and read the work on the pages of their sites or magazines to get an idea of their voice — then, pitch as you go. If you're interested in travel writing, be sure to pitch while you're experiencing the city or country you're in, as it will more likely make your piece of interest to editors.
3.Put Your Inner Creative To Work
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Are you a photographer, videographer, video editor — or all of the above? Now's your chance to create and possibly sell your captures to blogs, digital magazines, and even start your own YouTube or website. Like writers, you'll want to do your research ahead of time so that you know what type of content you should create that would be of interest to publications you'd like to share your work. If you're a graphic designer or are good at any of the creative things listed above, sites like Upwork and Fiverr are great ways to put your skills to use from anywhere in the world.
4.Teach
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Teaching abroad is a popular option for long-term travelers. You get to immerse yourself in the local culture while teaching locals (and getting paid). If you're interested in this option, Premier TEFL is a highly-rated option for getting accredited training and paid internships.
5.Start An Online Shop
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Are you naturally good at finding one-of-a-kind finds at thrift shops or on the sale rack? Here's your chance to become somewhat of a personal shopper for friends and family back home. Starting an online shop may seem like a tall order, but you can control what you sell. If you're spending time in Italy and see Italian accessories that pique your interest, buy one or two extra to add your online site (or whatever you feel comfortable with).
There are many ways to make income no matter where you are in the world. Think hard about what you're good at (and love), and that will guide you.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube