My boyfriend and I are planning a road trip through the US. We have no money, we are planning on sleeping in our van the whole way. The only catch is, we have no money.
Has anyone had any luck subsidizing their road trips with part time work while traveling? We would love to pick up some cash along the way. Any ideas where to start?
Thanks for your help.
It sounds like you already live in the US, own the car and can work legally in the US? Is that true?
What time of year? What salable skills or experience do you have? Can either of you do very heavy physical labor? What do you mean by "part-time"? A day or two here & there or settle down in a town for a few weeks?
There are temporary job agencies [www.Manpower.com] [www.Kelly.com] in all cities where you fill out applications listing your work experience and take computer word processing tests and spelling tests, etc., to find your skill levels before they assign you to temporary jobs. Some jobs might be taking inventory for one day, and others may be for filling in as a receptionist or secretary for one or two weeks. Some jobs are for working on assembly lines or in warehouses driving a forklift. You will need to put together a resume and reference letters to attach to your applications. You will need a cell phone number where they can contact you with job assignments and a national bank's checking account to cash your paychecks -- Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc., and get an ATM card for when you are not near your bank branch.
Edited by: trekker502
Thanks for your responses. We are Canadian, so while we own the van, we don't live in the US, nor can we legally work there. Which is why I think that finding work may be a little more tricky.
We are planning on leaving in April, so our trip will be for the spring and hopefully the summer. I currently work as a graphic designer and he administers a housing co-op, but we both have experience in a wide variety of work, from serving to retail to computer IT. We are both pretty physically capable people, but not outstandingly so. By part time, I was thinking of either those two options, as in a few days or even a few weeks.
Again, thanks for your help. Any suggestions are very helpful.
If you watch old reruns of Route66 or the Fugitive you will find that these men had no problems traveling from one small town to another and were able to find interesting people and yes even romance in every town they arrived in. go for it.If you can't find work then park the van and make a sign that says Madam Katyhawk Renown Mystic available for readings
Something to consider:
If you turn up at the border looking too poverty stricken, you will not be allowed to enter. Although Canadians do not a visa or a visa waiver to enter the US as a visitor, permission to enter is not automatic. If you do not look like you can travel in the US without working, they can certainly deny you entry. I've seen one report here on Thorntree where that happened.
They may also require some assurance you will return to Canada, such as a fixed address there.
Document requirements for Canadians entering the US will change in June of 2009. New Entry Requirements to the United States
Reputable employers will follow the law, which requires that you produce proof of your eligibility to work. If you can find a way to do graphic design by telecommuting to a Canadian employer, then you are not working int eh US.
Or, if you set up a Web page with Canadian addresses to advertise online graphic arts advertising designs worldwide, then that might work. You would need to be able to hook up with a broadband DSL fast server while you travel, and sign up with Pay Pal to handle credit card payments. I met a young man in Girdwood, Alaska, who set up a professional photography Web page to sell his wildlife and landscape photographs online worldwide -- people could see the images, but would need to pay to receive a copy. You could likewise put sample designs online for prospective clients to browse through.
I have an idea, you have 7 months before your journey begins, correct. both of you guys get 2 jobs each ,save your money then take a road trip or re-read # 4's post...
Strap a ladder to the top of your van.
Buy two sets of quality buckets, sponges, bag of shop rags, and professional squeegees.
Volunteer yourselves for a day with a pro window washer.
Learn how to do a great job washing windows.
Buy a couple of sets of snappy looking coveralls, so you look like you mean business.
Go door to door asking for work from shops, offices, stores.
Door to door at residences will get you into trouble.