Are you pondering how to keep motivated working from house? You are in the correct spot. With a lot more people today functioning at residence now much more than ever, keeping determined is getting a really vital topic of dialogue.

When you never have your manager or co-workers keeping you in check, it can be hard to continue to be on top of responsibilities and productiveness can simply slip.

I formally started off my total-time freelance work from residence journey a 12 months ago immediately after graduating from college with a degree in Graphic Style, Media Arts, and English.

I’ve tried a lot of unique strategies for staying inspired while doing work from household, and I have last but not least discovered all of the ideal strategies that operate for me. 

This put up will listing strictly the techniques that get the job done for most folks. By the conclude of this post, you are going to have anything you need to have to have a additional productive working day performing at residence.

Here are my 10 attempted and tested ways to remain inspired functioning from home.

1. Acquire breaks when essential

To maintain interested and inspired with what you are operating on, you will need to give your eyes and head a split in the course of the day. It’s vital to consider the time to move away from the laptop each after in a even though.

Now, the important to this is not to take breaks so generally that you don’t get any get the job done accomplished, but try out to get via at minimum just one job ahead of you consider a crack. Then, do what you’d like for up to 30 minutes or so.

For a break to be productive, you have to concentrate on not executing anything perform-related the total time. This includes not checking your cellular phone for new e-mails from consumers — they can wait around.

Getting breaks also includes having a appropriate lunch split, which a large amount of freelancers and distant employees overlook to do.

Typically, they will decide that it’s okay to just take their lunch although they nonetheless function in entrance of their pc, creating it tougher to rest during their break, which only heightens their worry.

Just after using a break and not focusing on any operate for a minor bit, you’ll be in a position to return to your desk prepared to get by means of the relaxation of your responsibilities for the day.

This has been a single of the most effective procedures I’ve applied into my day by day schedule, which I wish I experienced started accomplishing a ton faster.

2. Physical exercise at the very least as soon as for every working day

As a remote worker, it can be extremely difficult to try to remember to get up and stretch your legs at minimum a couple occasions in the course of the day, which is somewhat unfortunate.

In get to enhance commitment whilst doing work at home, remember to transfer your physique all over the working day. Exercising cuts down pressure, boosts self-esteem, and increases slumber, which is why it is so important to get your blood pumping!

A person of the least difficult approaches to do this is to just go for a stroll in your neighbourhood. Even if it just usually means taking your canine for a stroll or going for a stroll all-around your block for twenty minutes. No matter what it is, it assists!

If you dwell in a metropolis and would relatively not spend time walking outside, you could also look at investing in some form of workout products to enable oneself transfer at minimum a minor little bit each and every working day.

I not too long ago invested in a stationary bike which has assisted me work out amongst responsibilities all through the day.

3. Make your self a schedule and stick to it

If you never routine out your working day, you will hardly ever master how to hold enthusiastic doing the job from house. Regardless of whether you are a freelancer doing the job for yourself, or a distant employee utilized by a corporation.

As a freelancer, you will likely have a bit a lot more control about your timetable compared to if you are utilized by a remote company. So, choose gain of that and plan your day to when you are most effective.

For occasion, I know that I’m most effective for a couple of several hours in the early early morning and then late at night. So, I routine my working day to consist of most of my do the job all through all those times, with other responsibilities through the day.

1 of the finest applications to program your day is merely Google Calendar. Make the most of the time blocking system to make the most of your working day devoid of feeling confused.

Time blocking fundamentally means that you should really system out how significantly time you need for each and every of your responsibilities and then block it off on your calendar.

This displays you if you really have sufficient time in the working day for all of your duties and will make you superior at setting up ahead.

If time blocking is tough for you to do, you could also look at batching your work. This could suggest that if you are a freelance author and you have 5 articles or blog posts because of in the coming 7 days, you sit and do them all at at the time simply because of the character of the function.

4. Be aware of how a great deal get the job done you have on your plate

For staying enthusiastic performing from residence, you have to be conscious of how substantially work you’re having on at a time. It can be tricky to continue to be energized if you enable function pile up, as it will only pressure you out additional.

I’ve been there ahead of. Which is why, primarily if you’re a freelancer, you need to make confident that you do not say sure to too lots of consumers at a time, or you’re heading to possibility burnout, which will fully deplete any possibility of efficiency in your small business.

The exact same goes if you function for a distant business as an personnel.

If you find that you are commencing to have as well considerably on your plate, then you require to permit your manager know. They’d somewhat know ahead of time in advance of you get at the rear of on every little thing that’s been assigned to you.

The vital to getting mindful of your operate is to retain a undertaking listing. This could be on a resource like Asana or with a easy planner or sticky be aware that you retain in close proximity to your desk. 

5. Produce an workplace room in your property

This is just one of the greatest strategies to keep determined functioning from house that there is. It may well appear to be super straightforward, but I promise you that it will make a substantial change in your productivity just about every working day.

Produce a specific space in your house that will serve as a get the job done-from-property space. Established up a desk in this article or a table with a chair, and preserve your laptop computer, desktop, and all other perform-from-residence equipment that you have here.

By obtaining a distinct spot in your household for perform, you will start off to prepare your mind to flip into operate mode when you’re in that spot.

It will also begin to experience like you are at least heading to an workplace each individual time you go to function simply because you will have to wander by your house or apartment to get there.

The essential to success with this trick is to only work in that specified position. Really don’t try out to work from your mattress, your sofa, or your eating area desk since then your efficiency will start to diminish, which can mess up your total schedule for the day.

It also allows if other individuals are doing the job from household that reside with you. Look at both of those environment up your desks around each other so that it feels even far more like an workplace house when you go to work.

6. Consider employing an assistant 

Delegate responsibilities that you really do not get pleasure from carrying out, aren’t fantastic at performing, or if your time is only much better put in executing some thing else. When you are doing the job on work that you enjoy, you are going to be much more motivated to do the job when at household.

This can be as uncomplicated as hiring a digital assistant to assist you out for a number of hours every single 7 days, which is in particular achievable if you are a freelancer with your very own business.

You can come across digital assistants pretty much just about everywhere on-line these days. Some of the most well-known spots to glimpse contain Upwork and Facebook teams. You could also take into consideration asking business friends that you might have who have an assistant they advise.

Virtual assistants can enable out with several duties, which is why they assist with how to remain centered performing from property. Some of their most frequent duties contain social media management and e mail internet marketing.

VAs can also aid you send out invoices to your shoppers and deal with your schedule to enable you continue to be centered. Relying on what you’re wanting for help with, you can ordinarily find a digital assistant specializing in that skill set. 

To hold your digital assistant and responsibilities on the exact web site, you will want to begin utilizing a undertaking administration program like Samepage, ClickUp, Trello, or Asana.

7. Reward on your own and set targets

Fulfilling on your own when you can is a fantastic way to continue to keep enthusiastic working from property.

Give oneself a obstacle to get as a result of particular tasks throughout the day, and if (when) concluded, you have a reward to glimpse ahead to at the close of the working day.

I usually do this given that my roommates and I get the job done from household. We’ll make rewards for the conclude of the 7 days where by we get to go out and take in at our favorite restaurant, or we’ll go on a weekend trip absent to a close by town or town we’ve been this means to pay a visit to. 

Obtaining one thing to operate in direction of can truly assistance enhance productivity and inspire you to get to function every single working day — it improvements your mentality and would make get the job done exciting!

This is even much more accurate if you appreciate competitiveness, which is one particular of the very best methods to begin operating more challenging.

You could even switch it into a competitors with some of your other buddies who also is effective from property. Maybe whoever finishes their responsibilities lasts has to spend for the exciting action for the team!

Other forms of reward could be as simple as becoming ready to look at your favorite television display at night time, enjoying a “sleep in” morning, opening a bottle of wine if you, and so forth.  Actually, the prospects are limitless.

8. Get a mental health working day when needed

Staying motivated operating from property can be as quick as having a mental health working day or a day off when you require to.

Often, get the job done can just commence to experience like way too significantly, and there is no rationale that you need to come to feel lousy about getting a day off to rejuvenate and be prepared for one more working day forward.

This might sound strange, but I decide to consider a Friday off every single once in a when.

One thing about a 3-working day weekend would make me so inspired to commence the day on Monday, and I always get via my complete activity checklist and then some due to the fact of how a great deal time I gave myself to relax.

Doing work from household is a large amount a lot more complex than most individuals believe, and using treatment of you and placing by yourself first is something that distant staff really don’t do plenty of. Having a day off is one particular of the very best approaches to remain inspired performing from house.

If you’re a distant employee for a firm, you will have to get in touch with ahead of time to let your supervisor know that you’re taking the working day off.

If you’re a freelance employee, even though, as very long as you are still on major of your deadlines, then you can easily choose the working day off with out a complete whole lot of assumed.

9. Get an accountability partner or coach 

Joining a mentorship or a coaching method is a excellent way to continue to be enthusiastic and targeted doing the job from dwelling if you have a bit extra funds to expend.

Getting somebody else who can hold you accountable and help you continue to be determined is a super-easy way to improve efficiency, but it can be pricey if you are wanting for a leading-notch mentor.

I’ve been blessed more than enough to perform with a couple distinctive mentors given that beginning my freelancing journey, and it is served me so a lot.

I truly feel that you will not start out looking at progress and progress in your freelance business right until you commit in it by discovering a mentor or mentorship group to help information you. 

There are so quite a few various people who provide coaching plans now, so it shouldn’t be much too hard to find 1 that can assist you out. Just consider a look via Instagram, Facebook teams, or inquire some of your other business enterprise close friends if they have any suggestions.

If you are not seeking to commit cash on an accountability spouse, access out to a mate or co-worker who is in the exact same place as you, or be a part of a particular team on Facebook. Just make certain it’s another person who will hold you accountable for not finishing ambitions! 

10. Take into consideration doing work in a co-doing work room.

Past but not the very least, working in a co-operating place is a further great way to stay determined doing the job from house. Virtually each individual town in the entire world has some form of co-doing work house now, which you can typically pay a regular membership payment for. 

Do a fast research online to obtain some of the greatest coworking spaces in your area. A lot more often than not, if you’re a new buyer, you can even snag a deal for your to start with month, having the to start with month’s subscription for future to practically nothing.

Operating close to other individuals who are remote workers can help to motivate you and make you experience like you’re really element of an workplace.

In addition, you could possibly even make some buddies in your coworking space who can inspire you to get your operate accomplished even, and force you to be far more successful.

Most co-operating spaces also have a ton of fantastic facilities far too, which can make the every month price well worth it. For instance, several of them have no cost gym memberships, kitchens with espresso equipment, and even wellness activities all over the working day with networking options.

Conclusion

Now you know how to remain determined doing work from household! Though there are a good deal of different procedures, maintain in head that you may have to try out a number of diverse methods till you come across what is effective greatest for you.

Just simply because just one technique performs for your pal does not indicate that it will get the job done for you. Be okay with the actuality that you may have to spend the up coming thirty day period or two hoping to figure out what is best for your persona form and do the job ethic.

I want you the finest of luck with boosting your productivity! As soon as you determine out how to do it for you, it really can make your do the job from home experience so a great deal much better.

Disclaimer:Goats On The Road is an Amazon Affiliate and also an affiliate for some other merchants. This usually means we receive commissions if you simply click inbound links on our blog site and acquire from people stores.

If you’re a music lover, then a trip to Nashville is definitely in order. Known as Music City, the capital of Tennessee is one of the most fun cities to visit in the US. There are plenty of exciting things to do in Nashville, and we’ll cover some of the best in this post.

Of course, experiencing the music culture of the city is a must. With plenty of museums, record stores, venues, and festivals to choose from, you could easily plan your whole trip in Nashville around music. 

That’s not all there is to do in Nashville, though. Here you can also visit the Tennessee Capitol, a replica of the Parthenon, and the former home of a president. There are plenty of Nashville attractions to keep you busy during the day before the show starts!

I don’t know about you, but I plan a lot of my trips around eating and drinking.

Nashville definitely crushes it when it comes to wining and dining. Whether it’s some fiery hot chicken or some good ol’ southern BBQ, your tastebuds are in for a treat here. The city is also home to plenty of breweries, wineries, and distilleries when you want to wet your whistle. 

I spent half a year living down the road in Murfreesboro and have traveled to Nashville several times in recent years. It’s definitely one of my favorite cities and a place I’m always happy to return to.

Based on my experience there and the advice of local friends, I’ve put together this solid list of the best things to do in Nashville. 

1. Listen to Live Music

Naturally, our list of what to do in Nashville begins with live music. While it’s famous for being the “Country Music Capital of the World,” there’s a lot more to the music scene these days. On any given night out, you’re just as likely to find rock, pop, or electronic shows going on.

It doesn’t matter what night of the week it is. There’s always live music going on here in Nashville! The city is home to venues of all sizes hosting music of all genres. From dive bars with local bands trying to make it, to arenas packed full of adoring fans for famous pop singers, Nashville has it all.

Some of the best places to catch live music in Nashville include the Ryman Auditorium, Ascend Amphitheater, the Station Inn, The Basement, and Marathon Music Works. As I said, there’s music every night of the week here. Check this calendar of events to see what’s playing.

Short on time in Nashville?

One of the best ways to get around to all of the things to do in Nashville when you’re short on time is to join the Hop-On-Hop-Off double-decker. In just one hour, you’ll see:

The Court of Flags, Nissan Stadium, the Parthenon at Centennial Park, back by the State Capitol and down Lower Broadway. Some other sights you’ll see include the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Vanderbilt University, a lively farmers market, and the Grammy Museum Gallery. Learn more here.

2. Take a Walking Tour

One of the best things to do in Nashville is taking a walking tour. In my opinion, there’s no better way to get to know a city than by exploring it on your own two feet!

You have a few different options for seeing Nashville on foot. If you prefer a DIY approach, click here to download a PDF that has two different routes for self-guided walking tours of Music City. Both tours begin at Bridgestone Arena and cover 20 different sights. Whichever one you choose, you’ll get an excellent introduction to the city.

If you’d rather go with a guide and a group, check out Free Tours Nashville. They run tours from Wednesday to Sunday at both 9 AM and noon. The 90-minute tour hits many of the highlights of Music City, and you’ll also get some valuable recommendations from your local guide.

3. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame is definitely one of the top Nashville attractions. It’s located right downtown and is a must-see when visiting Music City. 

There are always new exhibits coming to the museum, but their core permanent exhibit, Sing Me Back Home, tells the complete history of country music.

Before or after your visit to the museum, be sure to check out the Music City Walk of Fame Park right across the street. It’s a bit of Hollywood in Nashville, with star-studded plaques honoring music legends. 

The museum is open daily from 9 AM-5 PM. General admission tickets cost $25.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 6-12. There are also several options for add-ons, such as a tour of historic Studio B and show tickets for the CMA Theater. Click here to book your skip-the-line tickets.

4. Check Out The Tennessee State Capitol and Museum

Nashville isn’t just the Country Music Capital of the World. It’s also the capital of the state of Tennessee. As such, you can add a stop at the Tennessee State Museum to your list of things to do in Nashville. 

There are several informative exhibits here, ranging from the Civil War and Reconstruction to Tennessee Transforms. The latter covers the modern history of the state beginning after World War II.

Temporary exhibitions are always changing, with current ones on the history of food and the musical heritage of Tennessee. Check their website to read all about what’s on at the moment.

The museum is open from 10 AM-5 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It stays open until 8 PM on Thursday and is only open from 1-5 on Sunday. Best of all, it’s totally free to visit! Click here to get directions.

The staff of the museum also offers free guided tours of the historic State Capitol building. These take place Monday to Friday at 9, 10, 11, 1, 2, and 3. Opened back in 1859, it was designed by the renowned architect William Strickland. Tragically, he passed away during construction. As per his wishes, he was buried in the north facade of the building. 

5. Eat Hot Chicken

There are certain dishes you just have to try when visiting American cities. A slice of pizza in New York, a hot dog in Chicago, jambalaya in New Orleans, and hot chicken in Nashville. 

Just a word of warning for you not familiar with hot chicken — when I say hot, I mean hot! I’m talking seriously spicy. Some of the best places to sample Nashville hot chicken include Prince’s and Hattie B’s.

I must say I’m partial to the latter. Be careful here, as even ordering the medium can set your taste buds ablaze. If you’re crazy, go for their highest level of heat, which is humorously called “Shut the Cluck Up!” 

There are a few Hattie B’s locations in Nashville, including one right near Music Row. Provided you don’t overdo it on the spice level, eating hot chicken is definitely one of the tastiest things to do in Nashville!

Looking for more foodie fun? Check out this highly rated food tour of Nashville and enjoy the tasty treats on offer. 

6. Tour a Distillery

Just as one must eat hot chicken when in Nashville, trying some real deal Tennessee whiskey or moonshine is also a necessity. There are plenty of excellent distilleries that you can visit to sample some fine local booze.

One solid choice is the Corsair Distillery. They actually have two locations in Nashville, both offering tours and tasting rooms. At their headquarters, you can sign up for a 30-minute tour with five tastings for just $13.

Tours run every day except for Monday. Head to their website to check out time available times and book your spot.

While it’s not my personal favorite, there’s no doubt that Jack Daniel’s is the most famous Tennessee whiskey. Their distillery is located about an hour and a half outside of Nashville in Lynchburg.

You can sign up for a full-day tour that includes transportation, so you can enjoy all the whiskey you want! 

Other good options in the city include Nashville Craft Distillery and Pennington Distilling Co. 

7. Visit The Grand Ole Opry

A trip to the Grand Ole Opry is definitely one of the top things to do in Nashville. Known as the “home of American music” and “the show that made country music famous,” this is the longest-running radio broadcast in the country. It started back in 1925 as a one-hour “barn dance” and has been an important part of the city’s culture ever since.

These days, the show broadcasts from the Grand Ole Opry House. Shows take place every Friday and Saturday night, with additional performances on Tuesdays from December to March. 

In addition to catching a show, you can also sign up for a tour of the Opry. There are daytime backstage tours as well as post-show backstage tours. Or, just get tickets to the show. Check out ticket prices here.

When it comes to Nashville attractions, it’s hard to top the Grand Ole Opry.  

8. Visit The Ryman Auditorium

For 30 years, the Grand Ole Opry had its home at the historic Ryman Auditorium. When they announced plans to move the Opry to a new home, the auditorium was slated for demolition. A push to save the Ryman began and lasted for several years. While it was successful, the building sat dormant for many years and soon began to deteriorate.

Renovations began in 1993 to bring it back to its rightful place as a world-class music venue. Things came full circle with the return of the Grand Ole Opry to the Ryman for a benefit show in 1998. These days, the legendary auditorium hosts the Opry shows from November to January.

The Ryman is open daily from 9AM to 4PM. You can take a self-guided tour for $25.95, or add an extra $5 to go backstage for a short guided tour as well. Click here to book your tickets online. You can find the Ryman on the map and get directions here.

9. Check Out Centennial Park

In addition to Music City, another one of Nashville’s nicknames is “The Athens of the South.” It seems a bit strange until you venture over to Centennial Park, where you’ll find a full-scale replica of the Parthenon. 

Originally a farm, this land has also been the state fairgrounds and a racetrack. It then became the site of the state’s Centennial Exposition in 1897 and transformed into a public park shortly thereafter. The Parthenon replica was originally meant to be temporary, but over a century later it remains.

In addition to seeing a bit of Greece in Middle Tennessee, you can also enjoy walking trails, Lake Watauga, a sunken garden, historical monuments, and much more. Click here to get directions.

10. Visit The Belle Meade Plantation

One of the most interesting things to do in Nashville is paying a visit to the Belle Meade Plantation. This historic plantation dates back to 1807, when John Harding purchased the land and a cabin. He soon began to develop a plantation here, which he named Belle Meade — the Beautiful Meadow.

Harding relied on slave labor to run his various businesses here, which included a cotton gin, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. When horse-racing became popular, he added thoroughbred housing and breeding to the list of services.

His son William Giles Harding eventually inherited the property. He would go on to be extremely successful in this new venture, expanding the plantation and the crew of slaves.

After the Civil War ended and slavery was banned, some of the former slaves returned to work for pay. But the Panic of 1893 and resulting financial problems led the family to sell the plantation. Half a century later, the State of Tennessee purchased it and transformed it into a museum.

The Belle Meade Plantation is open from Thursday to Tuesday from 9AM to 5PM. Tours cost $24 for adults during the week and $28 on the weekend. These even include a free wine tasting! It’s a bit far out of the city center so your best bet is renting a car or joining a tour if you want to visit. Click here to get directions.

11. Visit The Johnny Cash Museum

After that interesting look into the history of Nashville, let’s get back to the music. One of the top things to do in Nashville is visiting the Johnny Cash Museum.

To say that Johnny Cash is a legend is an understatement. One of the best-selling artists of all time, he was inducted into three different music halls of fame! Here you’ll find a vast collection of memorabilia and artifacts to get the whole life story of “The Man in Black.”

The museum is open daily from 9AM to 7PM. Tickets cost $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children. You can pick them up on their website and skip out on waiting in line. Click here for directions to the museum.

12. Wander Around Music Row

The heart of the entertainment industry in Nashville is definitely Music Row. This district is full of record labels, publishing houses, recording studios, and more.

A good place to begin your exploration of Music Row is the Musica Statue, which pays tribute to the city’s illustrious musical history.

One of the top things to do in Nashville is checking out the famed RCA Studio B. Studio B played a big role in the development of the Nashville Sound, which helped transform it into Music City.

Visit backstage here and learn about the musicians with this RCA Studio B and Country Music Hall of Fame combo ticket.

Among the names to have recorded here include legends Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, and even The King himself, Elvis. It’s said that he recorded a whopping 200 songs here! Check out their website to read more about the studio and its history.

As I mentioned in #3 on this list (the Country Music Hall of Fame), tours of the studio can be added to your ticket. These depart every hour between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Tours cost $40.95 for adults and $30.95 for children.

Another fun way to visit Music Row is to join a night tour in an open-air trolly. Sit back and relax as you discover interesting stories and facts about Nashville’s music scene. Learn more about this highly-rated trip here.

13. Cheer For The Home Team

One of my favorite things to do in Nashville is going to sporting events. The city is home to two professional sports teams with a third on the way in 2020. 

The Titans (NFL) play their home games at the massive Nissan Stadium along the banks of the Cumberland River. Their season lasts from September through January with games usually happening on Sunday afternoon. Even if you don’t go to the game, the tailgate alone is worth turning up for! Check their website for the schedule and ticket info.

Hockey fans can catch the Predators play at Bridgestone Arena. It’s a raucous atmosphere at their home games, which are known to locals simply as Smashville.

I’ve been to a few Preds games (usually to cheer on my beloved Detroit Red Wings), and it’s always a good time. Click here to find their schedule.

The sports scene is expanding in 2020 with the addition of Nashville SC (MLS). They beat out several cities to become the 24th franchise in professional soccer.

Their inaugural season kicks off soon with games at Nissan Stadium that are sure to be very exciting. Check out their 2020 schedule here.

We can’t forget about America’s pastime. The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team that plays their games at First Horizon Park. Their season starts in April and home games happen quite often. Head to their website to see if you can add a trip to the ballpark to your list of what to do in Nashville.

14. Go Honky-Tonking on Broadway

Last but not least on our list of things to do in Nashville is honky-tonking on Broadway. “What is honky-tonking?”, you may be asking yourself. The simplest definition of a honky-tonk is a bar with cold beer and live music, all day every day. 

I’m not joking when I say all day every day. Nashville’s honky-tonks get going as early as 10:00am and stay open until 3:00am. Best of all, there’s never a cover charge at them. You can bounce around and catch several different bands in one day and only pay your bar tab!

Downtown Nashville is filled with so many of these bars that they even call it “Honky-Tonk Highway.” These bars are a big part of the local culture of Nashville, although you’ll find more tourists than locals in them.

If you’re only going to visit one honky-tonk bar in Nashville, make it Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Located right across the street from the Ryman, this is the original honky-tonk. Put on your jeans, lace up those boots, and get ready for some drinking and dancing.

A fun way to experience the honky-tonk scene is to join a food and drink tour. Start the trip at Alley Taps and enjoy some Nashville craft beer. From there, you’ll hit up some honky-tonks and sip on some specialty cocktails. Click here to learn more about this fun activity in Nashville. 

15. Visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

If you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely want to find time to visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. The former home of the 7th President of the United States, this historic mansion is a fascinating place to explore.

Known as the “People’s President,” Jackson was an army general and member of both houses of Congress before running for president. He lost to John Quincy Adams in 1824 despite winning a plurality of the popular vote. This led to the creation of the Democratic Party. His supporters and the new party led him to victory in 1828 and he was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1832.

After 8 years in office, Jackson retired to The Hermitage. It started out as a log cabin until he had a Federal-style mansion built. A fire destroyed most of it, leading Jackson to have a Greek Revival-style home built in its place. It’s considered to be the best-preserved presidential home in the country and it has drawn in millions of visitors over the years.

The Hermitage is open daily and has seasonal hours. You can visit from 9AM to 5PM between November and February. Hours are extended to 8:30-6 from March through October.

They have several options for tickets, ranging from the General’s Tour ($22) to the VIP Tour ($50). Click here to book your tickets in advance. As the Hermitage is located a bit far from downtown, you’ll want to rent a car to visit. 

Bonus! Visit Homes of The Stars

You’ve probably heard of these musicians, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Dunn, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood…well, you can see where they live in Nashville!

You’ll also see homes of many other musical legends. It’s no wonder Nashville is called the music center of America. Learn more about this fun tour here. 

Ready for Nashville?

As you can see, there’s a lot more than just music going on in Nashville. In addition to rocking out at concerts and checking out the museums and studios, the city is home to plenty of historical attractions as well as excellent sports, culinary, and bar scenes. 

There’s a reason Nashville has been one of the fastest-growing American cities for several years running. It’s a welcoming city with lots to offer visitors. No wonder the travel industry is also booming in Music City!

Writing this post has me sitting here looking at the calendar of shows trying to plot my next trip to Nashville. This is definitely one of the most fun cities in the US and I’m always happy to return. I can taste the hot chicken already…

Have you been to Nashville and have some other awesome recommendations on what to do there? Leave us a comment and let us hear about it!

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As a freelancer, you aren’t going to get paid for your hard work and services if you don’t create an invoice of some sort to send to your clients. However, if you’re new to the freelancing world, it can be difficult to figure out how to write an invoice for freelance work.

I’ve been freelancing for about two years now, but only started full-time freelancing last summer after graduating with my B.A. in Graphic Design and Media Arts from university.

Over the years, I’ve tried sending invoices in many different ways; through payment processors, CRM systems, and even designing and creating them myself in InDesign.

I’ve come a long way considering I didn’t know how to send an invoice when I first started.

If you’re wondering how to invoice for freelance work, whether you’re new to this career or you’ve been in this world for a while, you’re in the right place.

Writing an invoice doesn’t have to be difficult, and the more you send them, the easier it becomes.

Here’s my guide to how to write an invoice for freelance work.

What Should An Invoice Include?

Writing an invoice and charging for your services is pertinent to keeping your business running, paying rent, and affording your other monthly expenses.

If you’re trying to figure out how to write an invoice for freelance work, start with the basics outlined below. Your invoice needs the following, but you can always add more information depending on your client’s needs.

Contact Information

First up is contact information, which includes both your contact information and your client’s.

You’ll want to make sure to include the business name, address, email, phone number, and website of both you and your client if you have it.

At the very least, make sure you include this information for your own business so your client can contact you if there’s an issue.

The contact information should be at the top of your invoice somewhere. Many invoice creator systems will do this automatically for you, so you don’t have to worry about it once you input the information.

Invoice Number

If you consistently use the same exact invoicing system, then the invoice number will automatically update for you with every invoice that you create.

If you use a few different programs, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have two of the same invoice number across platforms to go back and find invoices as needed easily.

Date of Invoice

An invoice isn’t complete without including the date that you sent it. This is just as important for your own records as it is for your client’s.

This can simply be added at the top of the invoice somewhere underneath the contact information. Make sure that the date you put is correct; don’t backdate it.

Invoice Due Date

In addition to the date you send the invoice, you should also have an invoice due date. This is the date that the payment from your client is due.

Many invoice creation tools will automatically make the due date the same as the date you send the invoice, but you can change this if needed.

If you’re wondering how to invoice for freelance work with longer contracts, you can actually set up multiple due dates with amounts due with some invoice creators, like Dubsado or Honeybook.

This allows your client to set up automatic payments and be aware of the rest of the payments coming up in the next few months.

Itemized List of Services Performed

For your client to properly know exactly what they are paying for, you need to make sure that you include an itemized list of all of the services you performed for them. Think of this as the list part of a receipt that you receive after you visit a store.

For instance, if they paid you for a social media management package, write out the package’s name, list the description of the services performed underneath, and the price it costs.

This is one of the most crucial details on an invoice. 

Final Amount Due

Your client is not going to know how much is due if you don’t include a final number! Make sure this number is easy to see and is inclusive of all of the services you performed.

The best spot to put the final amount due for all services is at the bottom of the invoice in bold. This way, your client can easily spot how much they are paying before even looking over the rest of the invoice.

Bonus: Logo (a fun addition)

If you want to know how to create an invoice for freelance work in a more fun and customized way, make sure to add your logo to the top near your business information. There are quite a few different invoice creator services that will do this for you.

You can also alter the design of the invoice to make it have your brand colours and fonts. But, don’t go overboard; you can brand the invoice accordingly but still have it not be too distracting from the content of the invoice. You want this to be easy to digest for your clients.

Other Possibilities to Include

While most freelancers prefer to include payment terms within their contracts, you can also consider adding this to your invoice. This isn’t required in any way but can be helpful to remind your client if there’s a late fee of any kind.

You might also want to possibly add the available methods of payment. I personally outline this in my contracts, but some freelancers prefer to add it directly to their invoice. If you’re using an invoice creator like PayPal, then this isn’t necessary to include.

How To Write an Invoice for Freelance Work

If you’re wondering how to invoice as a freelancer, you’re probably hoping there are tools out there that will do it for you. Well, there are!

These can be extremely time-saving and can make it a lot easier to send your invoices to your clients.

Here are a few of the best tools out there to send invoices to your clients. Keep in mind that most of these do take at least a portion of your payments, unfortunately.

Dubsado

Dubsado is a go-to invoice and proposal CRM often used by freelancers offering creative services, like branding, web design, and graphic design.

This tool allows you to set up recurring invoices for your clients so that you don’t have to set up a new one to send every month if your client is on a longer contract.

One of the great aspects of Dubsado is that you can add all of your normal packages directly into it.

For example, maybe you have a website design package that you offer. Add it in as one of your packages, and when you create an invoice, you can choose the package from the dropdown menu, and it will be automatically added and calculated for you.

PayPal

While PayPal is a bit less fancy, I use it with a lot of my clients because everyone pretty much knows how to use it already.

The invoices aren’t as customizable, but they get the job done, and you can add all of the essentials that are outlined in the beginning part of this article.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is my absolute go-to invoicing tool. All of my own social media management and graphic design clients are invoiced using this tool.

I can set up recurring invoices like Dubsado, and also add in all of my packages, which saves me so much time.

Clients can pay through bank transfer, credit, or debit card, so there are many payment options available. Your client has their pick, and can even set up their payments to be automatic so they don’t have to pay your late fee.

QuickBooks

If you’re wondering how to create an invoice for freelance work and you already use QuickBooks to stay on top of your financials, then you’re in luck. You can actually create invoices to send to your clients through it, just like with PayPal.

What’s so great about invoicing through QuickBooks is the money you make from the invoice is already in the financials software to save you some precious time.

Bonsai

Bonsai is a top-rated invoicing software among freelancers because of how easy it is to use. Like with other invoicing software on this list, you can also set up recurring invoices or one-time invoices, which can help you stay more on top of your invoicing.

In addition to invoicing, Bonsai can create and send contracts for you and track your time. It has many other features that are worth looking into if you’re trying to choose an invoice service.

Wave

Wave is similar to QuickBooks in that it sends invoices, but can also help you manage all facets of your financials. You can watch your expenses, pay subcontractors, and set up one-time and recurring invoices for your clients.

Unlike some of the other invoice software on this list, Wave also has the ability to customize your invoices for you down to the exact hex colour that you use in your branding. The customization options are endless.

Harvest

Last but not least is Harvest, which is an invoicing software that I recommend you look into if you work on hourly retainers instead of in packages.

Harvest is mainly used for time tracking and exporting timesheets, but you can send it as an invoice for your clients to pay you via the platform once you track your time.

Looking for more Freelance articles?

How to Send an Invoice

Now that you know how to write an invoice for freelance work, it’s time to figure out how to send an invoice.

Truthfully, if you use any of the invoice software that was outlined in the prior section of this article, all you’ll have to do is send it to your client’s email address. They can then open the email and pay the invoice promptly.

If you’d rather hand-create the invoices, which I’ve done in the past, then there are a few things to keep in mind when sending an invoice to a client.

First of all, make sure that the invoice is a PDF.

Things can go wrong if you send over the live file that you created within Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign because then the client has the chance to go in and make changes to it without you knowing. With a PDF, the client can’t change the document.

I suggest you send it as an attachment in an email and then keep a copy elsewhere so that you can easily find it if you need to refer back to it.  

Sending an invoice that you created on your own via email also means that you should make sure you write a proper subject line.

Consider including something like: “My Creative Design Studio Name Invoice Due 1/1/21” so that your client knows exactly what it is.

You may even want to write “urgent” at the beginning of the subject line, so your client doesn’t let it sit in their inbox for a while.

Another (old school) option for sending invoices is to send them via snail mail. However, if you want to get paid on time, I suggest you send it via email if possible.

When to Send an Invoice

The next step in learning how to make an invoice for freelance work is to figure out when to send an invoice. You always want to be prompt and give your client enough time to pay before the invoice is due.

For the most part, you should have the payment due date already decided within your written contract so that your client knows well in advance when the payment should be made by. From there, it’s up to you to decide when to send the invoice.

You may decide to send the invoice a week before it’s due, or even two weeks before it’s due; it’s completely up to you. Just make sure you give your client enough time to make the payment and don’t send it so far in advance that they forget about it.

It can be a science to figure out the perfect time!

Another thing to consider is payment plans. If you have big-ticket services like website design, which can cost around $2,500 or more, there’s a chance that your client won’t be able to afford to pay that in one single invoice.

So, you may have to set up a few $500 invoices throughout a few months so that your client can afford your services.

Traditionally, I like to send invoices around a week and a half before it’s due for most of my services, but that’s because my graphic design and social media management services require payment to be made in full before work commences.

Other services, like my writing, get sent after the service is complete, since the price is often based on word count and can therefore vary.

However, the biggest thing I’ve learned from invoicing is to make sure you keep it consistent. That’s why using services like HoneyBook, which sets up recurring invoices for you, can be so helpful.

How Clients Pay Invoices for Freelance Work

Luckily, because there are so many different payment processors out there, clients have lots of options when it comes to paying for their invoices.

The most popular way that a lot of my own clients pay is via debit or credit card. By paying through something like Dubsado or HoneyBook, the process of paying with a card is a lot like shopping online. It’s something they know how to do and is pretty simple and trustworthy.

Another option is to pay via PayPal.

A lot of third-party invoice processors will give clients the opportunity to connect and pay via their PayPal, but the simplest way to give a client this option is to send invoices via PayPal, to begin with. Clients know and use PayPal already usually, so they trust this method of payment.

Last but not least is the option to pay through ACH bank transfer. I have two clients who prefer to pay this way, and the pro to paying this way is that you don’t have to pay fees oftentimes with this method.

I don’t suggest accepting checks, because they can bounce in the end, and it can take a lot longer for the money to get to you when it’s sent in the mail. Online payment methods are the best way to go.

Conclusion

Now you know all the ins and outs of how to make an invoice for freelance work. While it may seem a bit daunting at first because there’s a lot of information to include, I promise it does get easier.

To avoid mistakes, make sure that you take the time to review each invoice very closely before sending it off to your clients. You don’t want to accidentally overcharge or undercharge a client for all of your hard work.

Disclaimer:Goats On The Road is an Amazon Associate and also an affiliate for some other retailers. This means we earn commissions if you click links on our blog and purchase from those retailers.

There are many things to do in Cozumel – Mexico’s top Caribbean Island. When we mention Cozumel to other travellers, their eyes glaze over and they imagine silvery white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and an azure blue ocean. Cozumel certainly offers all of that, and much more.

When travelling Mexico, you may decide you just want to chill out on this Caribbean island (only 30 miles long and 10 miles wide), and I understand completely.

But, after visiting here, I recommend you leave the beach behind and experience the many other things to do in Cozumel.

Would you be able to fit in a submarine tour, snorkelling the 2nd largest coral reef in the world, visiting a Mayan archaeological site or trying an ancient Mayan chocolate recipe in just a few days? Probably not! This is one of the top places to visit in Mexico, so give yourself some time here.

I highly recommend that you plan a minimum of a week to see all the things to do in Cozumel, you may even want to plan 2 weeks. With numerous incredible things to do in Mexico, make sure Cozumel is on your list. 

Note: This article has been updated for 2021 to reflect the best activities, excursions and costs in Cozumel. Enjoy your trip!

Where is Cozumel?

The Island of Cozumel or “Isla Cozumel” as it’s known in Spanish is located 12 miles off the coast opposite Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun, known as “Mexico’s top party destination” is 45 miles to the north of Cozumel.

Cozumel is the quieter alternative to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Actually, one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen is to take a ferry across to tranquil Cozumel.

In Playa del Carmen, the terminal is located downtown near the main square. In just 30 – 45 minutes, you’ll cross the sea and arrive in Cozumel. Click here for the Cozumel Ferry schedule, which includes costs. 

Update May 2021: Ultramar Ferry runs on “odd” days, while the Winjet Ferry runs on “even” days of the week. The latest times can be found on their respective Facebook accounts. Having experienced both, I can say that the Ultramar ferry to Cozumel was nicer, faster and had more amenities on board.

When is The Best Time to Visit Cozumel?

You can visit Mexico year-round, but the best time to visit Cozumel is during the months from March to June, before the hurricane season commences.

The hottest months are July and August which coincides with the hurricane season that lasts until November. Winter is Cozumel’s busiest period and it runs from December through to March.

Getting to and From Cozumel

Before you can enjoy all the fun things to do in Cozumel, you need to get there. While there are direct flights to Cozumel, most people will arrive at the Cancun airport. From here, you have a few options to get to the ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen (to take the boat over to Cozumel). 

You can either take the bus, hire a taxi, or opt for a private shuttle from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. This is the fastest, safest and most comfortable to get to the Cozumel ferry. Click here for details about airport transfers. 

Note: if you’re on a budget and don’t mind sharing, there is a quick, safe and easy $25 shuttle you can take from the Cancun airport to the ferry port in Playa del Carmen. Learn more here. 

Once you’ve arrived at the ferry port, you’ll need to take the 30-minute boat across. 

Now that you know when to visit and how to get there, here’s my list of the top things to do in Cozumel that you don’t want to miss!

1. Visit Punta Sur Ecological Park

Punta Sur Eco Beach is the best beach on the Island, and a visit to this eco-park is definitely one of the top things to do in Cozumel. This area is located on the south of the island and covers an area of 2,500 acres.

Here you’ll find exotic birds, crocodiles, sea turtles, beautiful flowers and beautiful beaches – the perfect place for nature lovers.

If you don’t feel like snorkelling the reef or visiting the lighthouse (see below), you can just hang out on hammocks and enjoy the sun.

There’s an entrance fee for this park ($18 USD for adults and $11 for children), but in my opinion, it’s worth it. Click here to find this top Cozumel day trip on the map.

Within the Punta Sur Eco Park is the Celarain Lighthouse, which was constructed to warn sailors at night of the dangers of running aground off the southern coast of Cozumel. The Lighthouse is now part of a maritime museum.

For 360 degree views of the Island, you can climb the 133 steps to the top. On a clear day, you can even see the coast of Cuba, but unfortunately for us, that was not the case.

Entrance fees to the Punta Sur Eco Park include the Celerain Lighthouse.

A 40-minute tour of the Marshlands of Punta Sur Ecological Park is also available. They can’t guarantee that you will see any crocodiles on the day of the tour, but you will see many species of birds especially the roseate spoonbill. 

Update May 2021: these short boat tours are currently departing at 1:00 and 2:00 pm. Confirm the times at the entrance to the park when you arrive.

The Punta Sur Ecological Park has so much to see and do, there’s even a Mayan Ruin here. El Caracol ruin – also called Tumba del Caracol because of its small size – dates back to 1200-1500 AD.

Caracol means snail in Spanish and the ruins were named this because of the snails that decorate the small dome on the top of the temple.

The structure was built as an early hurricane warning system for the Mayan people. The roof was constructed in a way that the strong breeze gave a humming noise alerting the Mayans of the impending danger.

2. Playa Mia Grand Beach Park

If you’re looking to visit a beach park during your trip to Cozumel, consider Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, an ethical adventure park. While there are many “marine parks” that may sound great, Goats On The Road doesn’t recommend visiting them due to the captivity of wild animals. 

Check out Playa Mia Grand Beach Park instead.

Here, you’ll have use of snorkels, waterslides, pools, kayaks, hobie cats, paddle boats, volleyball courts and more. This park doesn’t have any animals in captivity, which is why we recommend it. Entrance fees start from $30 USD.

Another option is to take a tour on a catamaran boat, including the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park for snorkelling, and a visit to Playa Mia Grand Beach Park (with food and drinks). Click here to learn about that fun day tour in Cozumel.

*Note that Goats On The Road does not condone any tourism activities that involve cruelty to animals, or promotes their captivity. We’ve been advised that the Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park and many places to visit in Mexico offer tours such as swimming with dolphins. Please be a responsible traveller and consider where you want to spend your tourism dollars, and avoid any animal shows or activities. It’s way more fun to see the animals in the wild anyways! Go snorkelling on a boat tour and have a more authentic experience with the wildlife.

3. Try Seatrek

A unique way of experiencing the underwater world is by trying helmet diving with Seatrek. The fully enclosed helmet sits neatly on your shoulders and a steady stream of air assists you in breathing.

If you wear prescription glasses, no problem, you can still wear them in the helmet as you walk along the bottom of the ocean at around 20 – 25 feet. Bookings for this tour can be made direct at Seatrek.

4. Try Atlantis Submarines

In Barbados, we had the opportunity to experience a night dive with Atlantis Submarines. In Cozumel, they offer 3 daytime departures at 10:00am, 12 noon and 1:00pm.

During the dive, you will visit the Felipe Xicotencatl wreck that sank in the year 2000 plus colourful schools of fish, sharks, turtles, stingrays and lobsters. For more information and the latest prices click here.

5. Cozumel Private Jeep Tour With Lunch and Snorkelling

One of the best activities to do in Cozumel is a private Jeep Tour with lunch and the opportunity to go snorkelling. The tour comes with your own private guide which means that he knows the best-secluded beaches to go snorkelling and swimming without the crowds.

The best part about this Cozumel excursion is that it’s completely customizable. Let your guide know ahead of time what you’re interested in seeing in Cozumel and he’ll put together an itinerary to suit your needs. 

Apart from private transportation, snorkelling, tequila tasting, Mexican lunch, and a margarita (or two) are included in the trip. For more information click here.

6. Sail The Waters Off Cozumel in a Catamaran

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Cozumel! There are many things to see around the island and hopping aboard a catamaran is the best way to do so.

You can either relax on board enjoying drinks and snacks or you can snorkel the reef and check out the abundant sea life. When you’re snorkelling you’ll have the chance to spot some sea turtles, stingrays and maybe a shark or two.

The waters around Cozumel are abundant with marine life and are safe for swimming and snorkelling. Click here to learn more about catamaran tours in Cozumel, and click here for glass-bottom boat trips with snorkelling.

7. Visit The Mayan Ruins

Did you know that there are Mayan ruins on Cozumel?! To be honest, we didn’t until our recent visit. 

Located on the northern part of Cozumel, tucked away in the undeveloped jungle, you’ll find the San Gervasio archaeological site (the pre-Hispanic name was Tantun Cuzamil). 

Sure, these ruins aren’t as large or impressive as Chichen Itza or Tulum, but they are unique in their own way. This is one of the more off-track things to do in Cozumel, and is a great day trip. 

We drove there in our rental car and then hired a guide at the site — who really brought the place to life. There are two entrance fees that need to be paid, but in total, it’s around $10. The cost of a guide (if you choose) is around $20 for a 1.5-hour tour.

8. Visit the Cozumel Pearl Farm

A visit to the family-owned and operated Cozumel Pearl Farm is a unique excursion where you are taken by boat to a secluded beach on an uninhabited area of Cozumel.

The first part of the tour is a demonstration and explanation of pearl farming techniques. The second part of the tour takes you to the pearl hatchery itself where you can do some snorkelling to see how the pearls are grown while learning about the reef system and viewing the underwater life-size Virgen de Guadalupe statue.

The rest of your time is spent either swimming in the warm azure waters or lazing in one of the many hammocks, and of course, enjoying your lunch with drinks which are included. Click here to learn more.

9. Check out the Mayan Cacao Company

Just 15 minutes from downtown Cozumel and next to Playa Mia Beach Club is the Mayan Cacao Company. Who doesn’t love chocolate?!

One of the many things Mayans are known for was their production of chocolate from the beans of the cacao trees. After the fermenting, drying and roasting process, they ground the beans into a paste, added hot water and made the first hot chocolate drink.

The tour lasts for 70 minutes and you can try ancient Mayan recipes and of course, buy some of the tasty chocolate. For more details on the Mayan Cacao Company and ticket prices click here.

⇒ See Also: 19 Fun Things To Do in Isla Mujeres – Mexico’s Island of Women

10. Visit the El Mirador

El Mirador is located on the east side of the Island of Cozumel, 30 minutes from downtown. Hire a moped, rent a car or take a private taxi to get here.

It’s a naturally beautiful spot where the sea has carved an arch in the rocks over the years. You can climb to the top for stunning views.

This is an excellent place to avoid the crowds. If you’re looking to relax, a visit to El Mirador is one of the best things to do in Cozumel.

☞ For other natural rock formations surrounded by water, don’t miss Lands End, one of the top things to do in Cabo San Lucas.

11. Swim and Snorkel at Playa Chen Rio

Cozumel has some of the best beaches in Mexico, and Playa Chen Rio is one you won’t want to miss. With its protected area and shallow water, this beach is suitable for all levels of swimmers and snorkellers.

As an added bonus, Playa Chen Rio is located on the east coast, which is less popular than those beaches that are located on the west coast — perfect if you want to get away from the crowds.

Enjoy a day of swimming and snorkelling, followed by lunch at one of the great restaurants on the beach here, such as El Pescador Marisqueria and Bar, or at the funky Coconuts bar nearby.

Note: always be cautious when swimming on the east coast of Cozumel. The water is quite rough here and undertows are not uncommon. Always ask the locals before venturing in.

⇒ See Also: 21 Things To Do in Guadalajara You Don’t Want To Miss

12. Enjoy a Beach Club

There are many beach clubs and bars located on the west coast, which is the exact opposite of Playa Chen Rio (above). These beaches are calm and perfectly turquoise, while the beach bars and clubs are where you can hire kayaks, laze on sunbeds or enjoy the beach club.

Come of the clubs have entrance fees (such as Uvas Beach Club which is $15), while the Money Bar offers free chairs and umbrellas as long as you purchase something. 

With Buccanos in the north, it’s $10 for the chairs and umbrella, but that amount is subtracted from your bill.

☞ SEE ALSO: Manzanillo Colima – The Ultimate Travel Guide

13. Visit San Miguel, the Capital of Cozumel

Since San Miguel is located on the west coast, one of the best activities here is to walk the broad sidewalk along the seafront at sunset.

During the day when the cruise ships are in port, the sidewalk is very busy with cruise passengers, but outside of that time, it’s fairly quiet.

In the middle of San Miguel is the Zocalo (a central park), every Mexican city or town has a Zocalo. It’s a meeting place for locals or a spot to sit down and just ‘people watch’.

If you are in Cozumel on a Sunday evening head to the Zocalo at around 8:00 pm for many free events.

☞ In Mexico, you’ll find numerous seaside promenades with zocalos and free activities going on. Don’t miss wandering along the Malecon and seeing street performers, these are some of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and many other Mexican cities.

14. Go Shopping

If you are in need of some ‘retail therapy’ during your trip, there are many opportunities for shopping in Cozumel. These are some of the main shopping areas where you’ll find clothing, souvenirs, jewelry and more:

⇒ See Also: 21 Awesome Things To Do in Oaxaca City

15. Experience Temazcal Cozumel

A Temazcal is an ancient Mayan ceremony, and while it’s one of the top things to do in Cancun, it’s also an incredible experience here in Cozumel.

You’ll enter into a brick hut which is warmed by volcanic rocks – similar to an experience in a sauna – and will be greeted by a Shaman.

During the Temazcal ritual, your body is put through a process of cleansing, relaxing and purification. It ends with a cooling swim in the nearby cenote.

The whole ceremony is a very spiritual experience and if you have a chance, don’t miss it (there are a few places, but you can check out this one). This is one of the most unique things to do in Cozumel.

16. Scuba Diving (one of the best things to do in Cozumel)

Scuba Diving along the Mesoamerican Reef is second to none. If you are an advanced scuba diver, you have the option to dive advanced sites in Cozumel like Maracaibo, Devil’s Throat, Cathedral or Barracuda.

If you haven’t tried scuba diving before, there are PADI courses available. There are numerous dive centers in Cozumel, always do your due diligence and choose a reputable company.

We recently spent a week scuba diving in Cozumel and did a total of 12 dives with Scuba Tony. The captains and dive guides were all very professional and welcoming, while the dive boat and equipment itself was in great shape.

You can either meet at their location in the marina, or, if you’re staying in the south, the dive boat will pick you up directly from your hotel’s jetty — how cool is that?!

Whether you’re open water, advanced or are just learning how to dive, you’ll be impressed with the underwater world. No matter your experience level, you’ll love spotting turtles, rays, eels, lobster, fish and of course, coloruful coral.

Night diving is also popular with Scuba Tony. This is a unique way to experience the critters — expect to spot octopus, sharks, eels and more. Diving in Cozumel is popular, for good reason. Learn more about Scuba Tony here.

⇒ See Also: 21 Top Things To Do in San Miguel de Allende

17. Eat at Local Mexican Restaurants

Mexican cuisine is our favourite. Eating street food is one of the best things to do in Mexico City, but if you’re not heading to the capital, you’ll still be spoiled for choice in Cozumel. 

Think burritos, tacos, tortas, ceviche, enchiladas, churros and of course drinks such as tequila, mezcal, margaritas and a chilled Corona with a slice of lime.

Some of our favourite Cozumel restaurants are:

18. Cozumel Chef Food Tour (one of the top things to do in Cozumel for foodies)

If you enjoy food tours Cozumel Chef Food Tour is the one for you. The tour takes you to several different Cozumel restaurants where you enjoy a Mexican dish and a local drink.

The places you will visit are off the usual tourist path, meaning you’ll be eating like a local. Even vegetarians are well catered for during this tour.

This is one of the top Cozumel excursions if you enjoy authentic Mexican food. For more information and booking, click here.

⇒ See Also: 10 Things To See and Do in Guanajuato

19. Ha Haak Paddleboarding Cozumel

If you are a regular paddleboarder, Cozumel will wow you with its crystal clear blue waters, and if you’re a beginner, this is the place to learn.

Ha Haak provides a super easy intro lesson for first-timers that you will get you standing up on a paddleboard in no time.

Ha Haak’s location at Mr Sancho’s Cozumel Beach Club, South Hotel Zone, is the perfect place to enjoy the sport ($35 for a rental). For more details click here.

20.  Deep-Sea Fishing

For Deep Sea Fishing enthusiasts, Cozumel is the perfect location and one of the top companies (Chi Chi Charters) offers an awesome experience. Even if you’re not a hardcore fisherman, this is still one of the best things to do in Cozumel.

Barracuda, mahi mahi and triggerfish are some of the local catch around Cozumel. You can catch tuna all year round, and from March to July white and blue marlin and sailfish are available. For more information and bookings click here.

⇒ See Also: 21 Things To Do in Mazatlan, Mexico

21. Watch Sunset

At the end of the day, nothing beats a good sunset with a cocktail in hand. We recommend checking out Hemingway,  El Palomar Restaurant and Bar and La Monina on the west side of the island.

If you head north about 5 minutes from the Ferry Terminal you will be greeted by El Palomar, who have actually stopped serving plastic straws, way to go! A margarita on the porch at sunset is a great way to end the day.

If sitting at a restaurant isn’t your thing, you can always watch the sunset from the malecon, a jetty or the beach…for free.

Now You Know What to Do in Cozumel

Cozumel is a true island paradise. It’s laid back just like the locals and offers the visitor a quieter atmosphere than its coastal neighbours.

This island offers the best of adventures under the sea — where else in the world could you visit an underwater museum, dive to the bottom of the ocean onboard a submarine or snorkel around a pearl farm?

Cozumel is an island that will wake you up with sunrise on the eastern side, while just 10 miles across the island, you can enjoy a sundowner on the west coast. There are numerous fun things to do in Cozumel and we hope this list gave you some good ideas of where to start.

Goats On The Road Recommended

Travel Resources for Cozumel

✓ Wondering where to stay in Cozumel? There are numerous accommodation options on Booking.com – from luxury resorts to midrange hotels and cute guesthouses. Goats On The Road stayed at Stingray Villa which is a 4-villa property with a pool. Stingray Villa offers excellent value for money and is in a great location. Close to restaurants and bars, a couple of blocks to the sea — yet, you’ll enjoy a quiet night’s sleep. Learn more here. 

✓ With all of the adventurous things to do in Cozumel, it’s important to have adequate travel insurance. Goats On The Road use and recommend Safety Wing (one of the most popular options for travellers and digital nomads). Click here for a free quote.

✓ If you’d like to rent a car in Cozumel and are scuba diving with Scuba Tony, they offer a rental car for their customers. If you’re not diving with that company, you can have a look at Expedia for car rentals. Click here to find the latest prices and be warned that you will have to pay extra insurance on top of the listed price.

✓ For tours, activities and other things to do in Cozumel, check out Get Your Guide for low prices and excellent service. Always cross-reference your tours with reviews and find one that suits your needs.

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Getting TEFL certified can result in fun travel job opportunities around the world. But it can be hard to make a large investment in a TEFL certification program upfront.

In this post, I’ll talk about some of the best cheap TEFL courses that will allow you to achieve your teaching aspirations without breaking the bank! Not only are these options more affordable, but they are recognized companies. 

Get a cheap TEFL certification online with one of these 7 legitimate, accredited companies. 

What is a TEFL Certification?

A TEFL Certification is a credential that allows you to teach English as a foreign language in another country. You can get certified by completing a TEFL training course.

In your course, you’ll learn basic teaching skills and methods that will make you a more effective educator. 

I got TEFL certified in 2017 because I knew I wanted a job that would allow me to travel. I discovered online teaching and have been virtually tutoring students from all over the world while wearing pajama pants ever since! 

TEFL Job Opportunities

Once you have your TEFL certificate, there are a lot of exciting directions you could choose to go in!

You could teach beginner English to small children in China, or business English to professionals in Brazil, or help teenagers in Thailand prepare for language exams. 

If remote work is more your style, you could start teaching English online to students all over the world. The best part is that most TEFL certifications are universally accepted and never expire, so you can change up your teaching gig as much as you want. 

Types Of TEFL Courses

Once you’ve decided to get TEFL certified, you’ll need to choose the best type of course for you. TEFL programs fall into three main categories: online courses, in-person courses, and combination courses. 

In this article, we’re going to focus on the cheap online TEFL courses you can take (the in-person ones are more expensive).

In an online TEFL course, you will complete all the modules on your computer at your own pace. Online courses are best for people with busy schedules. They are also often the least expensive option because you don’t have to pay to travel to the training location or take time off work while you study. 

Cheap TEFL Courses: How Many Hours Should I Take?

All TEFL courses are offered in hour increments. You might see 60, 80, 120, and 240 hour TEFL courses all offered by the same company.

This number refers to how many hours it should take you to finish all the material. Higher hour courses mean you’ll receive more in-depth training. 

Lower hour courses will be less expensive, but be careful about signing up for a cheap TEFL certification course that is too short.

Most countries and companies require that you have a minimum 120-hour TEFL certificate to qualify for teaching jobs. As a rule of thumb, stick to 120-hours or higher to keep your options open. 

Because a 120-hour TEFL course is a minimum requirement for most teaching positions, I’m only comparing 120-hour course offerings below.

While some companies may offer lower hour courses for less money, it’s worth getting the 120-hour option to have a full range of job opportunities. 

Accreditation 

For a TEFL certificate to actually help you get a job abroad (or online), it must be accredited. This means that an official educational body has reviewed the material and given it a stamp of approval. 

Legitimate courses have their accreditation information listed clearly on their website. All the courses discussed below are accredited. 

A Note About Pricing And Cheap TEFL Courses Online

It’s common for TEFL companies to offer steep discounts for their course prices. There are some companies that regularly discount their courses by 50-80%.

For this reason, I highly recommend that you click the links below to see what deals are being offered at the time you read this post. Even if a course price sounds too high, you might find a special offer when you go to the website. 

In this article, I’ll include the “normal” course price as well as the current discounts. Keep in mind this might change by the time you are signing up for a course so it’s worth it to check out what each company offers. 

1. MyTEFL

MyTEFL offers courses that are cheap, self-paced, and fully online. They have great reviews from previous students and are a reliable option for someone who wants the TEFL basics. 

What This Course Offers

MyTEFL courses are fully accredited. They include unlimited virtual tutor support which is great if you’re new to teaching and have questions. Most students finish their 120-hour online TEFL course in 3-6 weeks. 

Pros And Cons Of MyTEFL

The upside of MyTEFL is that you can get a legitimate, high-quality TEFL course for an affordable price.

When you finish the course, you’ll get your certificate and a letter of recommendation which could help you find future jobs. You can also reach out to MyTEFL for job placement assistance at any time. 

The downside of MyTEFL is that their courses don’t have hands-on training.

While you’ll leave the course with a good theoretical knowledge of TEFL teaching, you might want to arrange your own teaching practice or classroom observations before landing your first job.

MyTEFL Course Cost

The 120-hour online MyTEFL course costs $299. Goats On The Road readers receive 35% off by using promo code GOATS35 at check out.

GO TO MyTEFL

2. TEFLPros

TEFL Pros is a 120-hour online option with great reviews! One of the best parts about TEFL Pros is that they actually offer a free mini-TEFL training lesson so you can see if the course is a good fit before you purchase. 

What This Course Offers

TEFL Pros is fully accredited and can be completed whenever you want. Usually, it takes students about 3-6 weeks to work through all the material.

The lessons cover a wide array of practical topics like classroom management and how to teach grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. 

Pros And Cons Of TEFLPros

The upside of TEFL Pros is that they are focused on preparing teachers for real life in the classroom. Teachers must complete a portfolio of activities and lesson plans that they will receive feedback on.

Later, they can use these materials in their classrooms. Also, TEFL Pros includes several hours of classroom footage from real ESL classrooms. 

The downside of TEFL pros is that they don’t have formal job placement assistance. Even though they will provide you with resources to write a good teacher resume and prepare for your interview, they don’t advertise their job placement services. Instead, they claim to prepare you so well you don’t need help finding a job. 

TEFL Pros Course Cost

The TEFL Pros course costs $349. Goats On The Road readers receive a 10% discount by using promo code GOATS10. Remember that they also offer a free trial so you can see if the course is right for you before you purchase it.

Go To teflpros

3. Uni-Prep Institute

Founded in 2005, Uni-Prep Institute offers 3 affordable TEFL certifications online.

These TEFL courses are packed with easy-to-follow video content, reading materials, assignments, activities (that you can use when teaching), and numerous specialty modules as well.

The courses are totally self-paced, so you can study on your own schedule. 

What This Course Offers

Uni-Prep Institue TEFL courses are fully accredited and include 24/7 virtual tutor support. Even though Uni-Prep offers one of the cheapest TEFL certifications, it’s great value for money.

Once you pass, they provide you with job search assistance and are actually partners with recruiters at schools worldwide. 

There’s no final exam and most students finish this 120-hour online TEFL course in 2-4 weeks.

Pros And Cons Of Uni-Prep Institute

One of the many pros of Uni-Prep’s affordable TEFL courses are the specialization courses that are included.

As well as the main videos and lessons, the company includes specialty modules such as teaching English online, teaching young learners, teaching business English, teaching grammar, and more. 

As a bonus, Uni-Prep offers a 20-hour practicum that can be added to your TEFL (at no extra cost). It’s not mandatory for passing your TEFL but is a huge perk and will no doubt help prepare you for your teaching position. 

When you finish your course, you’ll get your TEFL certificate mailed to you (for free), help with your resume, and assistance with your job search.

Uni-Prep TEFL Course Cost

The 120-hour online Uni-Prep course costs $300 (although, it’s often discounted 50%). It’s currently available for $195.

go to uni-prep institute

4. i-to-i TEFL

i-to-i TEFL offers a wide range of courses, but if you’re trying to stick to a budget, their Level 3 Introductory is the cheapest TEFL course. In the 120-hour course by i-to-i, students can work at their own pace and get the help of a virtual tutor. 

Like all companies on this list, i-to-i is fully accredited. 

What This Course Offers

i-to-i TEFL regularly offers deep discounts, making them one of the most affordable TEFL programs on this list. When you enroll, you’ll receive all accredited course materials and you’ll get access to tutor support along the way. You’ll also get 6 free ebooks about TEFL Teaching for free. 

Pros And Cons Of i-to-i TEFL

On the upside, i-to-i TEFL courses are very cheap. According to student reviews, the material is straightforward you’ll likely be able to move through it quickly. 

Unfortunately, i-to-i TEFL has received some negative student reviews about the level of customer support and depth of material. Some previous students feel that there could have been more information provided, especially about trickier concepts like teaching grammar. 

i-to-i TEFL Course Cost

Normally, the 120-hour i-to-i TEFL course costs $299. Right now, the cheapest TEFL course is currently 65% off.

Go to i-to-i tefl

5. International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT)

The ITTT program has been around since 1998, is fully accredited and is well established in the TEFL space. Their online course is packed with over 20 lessons ranging from teaching parts of speech to effective evaluation. 

What This Course Offers

ITTT offers in-depth material that prepares students for their future classrooms. They also offer support to graduated students through job placement assistance, interview preparation, and resume help. 

Pros And Cons Of ITTT

Across the board, ITTT has good student reviews. It’s good value for money and you’ll learn a lot of practical information. 

One downside that previous students mention is that there is a summative task at the end of the course. This assessment will cover material from all the modules, so you probably don’t want to take too long to finish the course. 

ITTT Course Cost

ITTT has two versions of the 120-hour TEFL Course, one with extra videos and tutor support and one without.

The 120-hour TEFL course on its own costs $239. The upgraded course costs $349. Goats On The Road readers receive 15% off using this link. 

go to  ittt tefl 

6. Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL offers online, blended, and advanced level 5 TEFL courses. They can also help teachers find paid internships and TEFL teaching jobs around the world. Their 120-hour online TEFL course is fully accredited and perfect for those new to teaching. 

What This Course Offers

The 120-hour course by Premier TEFL comes with in-depth online modules, ebooks about lesson planning and grammar, tutor support, and a free 30-hour add-on course about teaching online. 

Pros And Cons Of Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL students love the self-paced nature of the course and the quality of the material. 

As a downside, some students did mention that they had trouble getting in contact with customer support, and that feedback throughout the program was minimal.

However, if you’re looking for a cheap TEFL certification that you can work through at your own pace without much instructor interaction, this could be a good fit. 

Premier TEFL Course Cost

The 120 hour course is usually $439, but it’s on sale for $85 making it a budget-friendly TEFL.

go to premier tefl

7. The TEFL Org

Initially, this list was going to be just 5 companies, but there are actually 7 reputable companies offering cheap TEFL courses.

The TEFL Org is an internationally accredited TEFL course company with programs to suit a variety of students. If you’re looking for legitimate, budget-friendly courses, look at their 120-hour Premier Online TEFL/TESOL Course.

What This Course Offers

This course is one of the most popular courses offered by The TEFL Org because it is affordable and self-paced. In 5 modules covering a range of topics like teaching large groups, planning activities in the classroom, and parts of speech, students will learn the foundations of TEFL teaching methods. 

Pros And Cons Of The TEFL Org

An upside to this course is that students have six months to work through the material at their own pace. Most students will finish in around 2-3 months, but it’s nice to have the extra time if needed. Also, graduates get a lifetime of job placement assistance. 

The downside is that there isn’t a hands-on teaching element to this program. 

The TEFL Org Course Cost

The TEFL Org 120-hour course normally costs $509 but it’s currently being offered for $254.50.

go to tefl org

Should I Choose The Cheapest TEFL Course?

While it can be tempting to just grab one of the cheapest TEFL courses out there, take some time to make sure the program is in line with your needs.

It is definitely possible to get a quality TEFL course for an inexpensive price, but be sure to verify the following:

• The TEFL course is accredited
• It’s enough hours that you’ll qualify for the job you want (most countries/companies require 120-hours minimum)
• It includes additional features like tutor support and job assistance if needed
• You can find positive student reviews about the company on third-party review sites

If you find a cheap TEFL certification that meets all your requirements and will prepare you for your future classroom, that’s great news! You’ll be on your way to an exciting TEFL job without breaking the bank in no time.

Once you’re TEFL certified, you can start searching for teaching jobs. For qualified teachers from the USA, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa, Magic Ears is a great option at $26/hour. For Canadians and Americans, VIPKID is another choice for you at $22/hour.

For all other English-speaking teachers, check out PrePly and Cambly. For those of you who are TEFL certified, but don’t have a Bachelor’s Degree, don’t worry, there are many companies that will hire you!

*The lead image in this article was sourced on Shutterstock.com.

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When I started teaching English online over two years ago, I thought it would be a fun side hustle and a way to travel more. I quickly learned that the pros of teaching online go way beyond a bit of extra cash and more vacation days. 

Online teaching gave me more flexibility with my time than I expected. I’ve gained new skills as a virtual tutor and connect with students from around the world.

I save hours every week by not having to commute to work and I’m able to visit loved ones without having to request any time off. 

There are numerous advantages of teaching English online, but there are some disadvantages as well. As with so many jobs available, you’ll want to make sure you do your research and choose a reputable company.

Update April, 2020: if you’re from Canada, the USA, the UK, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, you can apply to become a teacher with Magic Ears and earn up to $26/hour! See our Magic Ears review, or apply here.

In this post, I’ll list 15 pros and cons of teaching online so that you can decide if this remote career is right for you.

What is Teaching English Online?

Now more than ever, industries are taking advantage of the internet to connect people around the world. Teaching is no exception. 

With the rise of specialty online courses and remote higher education programs, it’s no surprise that online language companies are also becoming popular. 

Online English companies hire native or fluent English speakers to teach language lessons on their platforms. Some companies attract students from all over the world but many companies focus on the high-demand Chinese market. 

These companies often provide their own English curriculum and teaching website. Teachers and students log in to a “virtual classroom” where they can have a lesson over video chat. 

With most companies, teachers see dozens of different students. Students usually work with several teachers. You might have some recurring students who you teach often, or you might work with all new students each time you open your schedule. 

As a teacher, you will work for one of these companies. Your primary responsibility is teaching English classes to the students on the platform.

The position is fully remote and you’ll likely be hired as an independent contractor, which means you have more flexibility than you would have with a traditional teaching job. 

Who Can Teach Online?

Since there are so many online English companies out there, most native English speakers can find a job that matches their credentials. In general, online English teachers must meet the following requirements: 

• Native English speaker (though some companies will hire fluent speakers as well)
• BA Degree or higher (there are some exceptions to this rule)
• TEFL certificate (again, there are some exceptions to this)
• Love working with people, especially children
• Patient and understanding when speaking to a new English learner
• Regular access to high-speed internet and a teaching device such as a laptop or tablet. 

If you’re not a native English speaker or if English isn’t your strong suit, there are also options to teach other languages online on platforms like Preply and iTalki or Teachable.

With these learning platforms, you can teach any language you’re fluent in. You make your own lessons, set your own rates, and attract your own clients on the websites.

How Do I Get Started?

The quickest and easiest way to get started is to apply with a trustworthy online English company. Consider your qualifications and the individual company requirements to find a few options that are a good fit for you.

Here are a few well-known companies to start your research:

• Magic Ears: Magic Ears is the best option for English teachers at the moment. They hire from 6 nationalities (Canada, USA, UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand), they pay the highest (up to $26/hour), and you can work from anywhere in the world. Learn more here.
• VIPKID: VIPKID is one of the oldest and most established online teaching companies — they also pay a high salary as well (up to $22/hour). Requirements: Native English Speaker from USA or Canada, BA Degree or Higher, 1+ Year experience working with children, TEFL certification preferred. The best part about VIPKID is that you can work from anywhere in the world. Click here to read my VIPKID review.
• Qkids: Qkids is similar to VIPKID in terms of the requirements and qualifications you must meet. Plus, they pay a similar wage to their teachers. One distinct difference is that you must actually be living in the USA or Canada in order to work with Qkids — making it not the best option for Digital Nomads (unless you want to travel around those two countries). Click here to read our review of Qkids.
• EF Education First Online: EF Online is a good option for teachers from the UK. Not only is the pay high at £12.50/$19 per hour, but there are lots of perks as well. US citizens can also apply for EF. As with Qkids, you must be physically living in the UK in order to work for EF Education First Online. Click here to read our review of the company.

10 Pros of Being an Online Teacher

Life is good as an online teacher. This is a great way to make decent money while working remotely with tons of schedule flexibility.

Online teachers often have very little prep work outside of actually teaching and are able to work with small groups of students from all around the world. This is one of the best travel jobs out there!

Here are some of the top pros to online teaching:

1. You Get to Work From Home With No Commute

When I first made the switch from teaching in a traditional classroom to teaching online, one of the biggest perks was simply not having to commute anywhere.

My mornings used to begin with a 30-minute drive. Now, they begin with a three-minute journey to the kitchen for coffee, then to my desk.

In addition to not having to commute anywhere, I quickly fell in love with the work-from-home life. I was saving at least an hour every day not sitting in traffic and I loved having the little comforts of home during my work mornings — namely my favourite coffee mug and comfy desk chair.

2. Flexibility to Work While Travelling or Visiting Loved Ones

Working from home was a dream, but teaching online allowed me to go a step further. It allowed me to make money while travelling.

Whether I was teaching from a tropical beach – ok, well not literally from a tropical beach, more like from a hotel near a tropical beach – or from my friend’s house in another state, I loved being location independent.

Teaching online lets me explore the world unrestricted. I could work from a fun new travel destination, or I could work while visiting with a loved one — without having to ask permission from anyone to take time off work.

3. Most Companies Have No Minimum or Maximum Working Hours

This is a big one if flexibility is your objective! Most online teaching companies do not have a weekly minimum or maximum amount of hours you must teach.

This means that, depending on your financial needs and schedule, your working hours could look very different week to week. You could work forty hours one week and zero hours the next.

This also means that you usually won’t have to ask for time off — you simply won’t open classes on the days you can’t teach. Compared to many jobs where you have to request time off in advance and get approved, this is a huge advantage of teaching online!

4. You Can Create Your Own Schedule.

On the same note as above, you also get to make your own schedule with most companies.

Some will require that you commit to the same hours each week, but many have a very open-ended system where you simply select the days and times you want to teach and your students can book you. 

Have a big event coming up? No problem, don’t open classes that day and you’ll be good to go.

Need to get up early for an appointment? That’s fine, just don’t schedule classes that morning.

Whether you’re jet-setting around the world or just looking for extra income that folds into your daily life, being able to make your own schedule is a huge win.

5. Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials Are Usually Provided.

As a former science teacher who used to make all my own lessons, I can’t tell you how nice this one is. With most online teaching companies, they’ll provide the lesson materials and objectives for each lesson.

The company will assign each student materials that match their ability level and all you need to do is teach. This saves tons of time and creative energy — allowing you to focus on implementing the material. 

6. No Formal Education Experience is Required 

While you’ll likely need to have some experience with kids to teach, you don’t need any formal teaching training to get started.

You won’t need a teaching degree or teaching license as you do for in-person teaching jobs.

For this reason, working as a remote teacher is a great way to build teaching experience and learn a new skill. If you plan to teach abroad or have always wanted to work in education but didn’t know where to start, teaching online could be a place to gain meaningful experience.

7. Class Sizes Are Small

Anyone who has taught in a traditional classroom or tried to manage a room full of kids will feel me on this one! Most online English classes use a small group format or are one-on-one. As a teacher, this is absolutely lovely.

Your students get individualized attention and you can adapt your lesson to meet their specific needs and interests. With one-on-one or small group lessons, you can build stronger connections and offer a more custom learning experience.

You also won’t have to worry about things like classroom management the way you would in a traditional classroom.

8. Online ESL Teachers Are Paid Well

You don’t have to commute to work or wear typical professional attire. Your lesson planning is done for you, and you get to totally create your own schedule — considering all of this, teaching online pays exceptionally well.

Most companies pay around $20/hour which means you can make a solid income working fewer hours than you would in many traditional jobs.

I also really like how I’m paid to teach, and only teach.

There isn’t a lot of fluff in my workday like meetings or lunch duty. I’m paid for the time I teach and that’s it. This frees me up to pursue other hobbies and interests, like writing these blog posts!

9. Online Teachers Meet Students From Around the World

When you become a virtual English tutor, you’re able to teach students from all over the world. This means you’ll get to meet people from new places and learn about different cultures.

Most of my students are in China and I’ve learned so much about their family traditions, holidays, and customs.

It’s also fascinating to get a glimpse into the day-to-day life of my students and connect with them. Since most students take lessons at home, you get to interact with them in a place where they’re most comfortable. They’ll show you their toys, pets, and siblings.

You’ll often get to chat with their parents and see what kinds of things they do around the house. I know it’s a cliche, but my students are pretty good teachers.

10. Online Teachers Get to Wear Pajama Pants to Work!

I couldn’t make a list of working online perks without including this one. In the last two years of teaching English online, I’ve worn pajama pants to work. Every. Single. Day.

Let that sink in for a minute. 

I love being comfortable while working and being able to teach in sweat pants was one of the things that sealed the deal for me. No more business casual slacks for this gal.

Granted, the parts of you that can be seen on the camera (your face, shirt…and the backdrop) should be professional and appropriate for class, but otherwise, you’re free to be as comfy cozy as you like.

5 Cons of Being An Online Tutor

I’m a bit skeptical of articles that only share the glorious highlights, so it’s only fair to talk about some of the downsides to teaching online as well. Teaching online has some major perks, but keep in mind the following drawbacks.

Here are some of the disadvantages of online teaching:

1. Relying On The Internet Can Be Stressful at Times

We all know how stressful slow internet can be in day-to-day life. It’s even more stressful when your job depends on it.

Having to obsess about internet speeds can be annoying. Even after over two years of online teaching, I still have a mini-meltdown every time there is a flicker in the WiFi connection. Stressing about the internet isn’t the best feeling.

If you plan to work online while travelling, you might be limited in the places you can stay. Only accommodations with good enough WiFi should be considered, which might limit your options.

To remove stress, online teachers should always make sure they have a source of backup WiFi like a hot spot in case there is a connection problem.

2. Most Companies Have Strict Cancellation Policies

Except for Magic Ears who offer an amazing cancellation policy, if you open a class, you’ll be expected to teach it. It can be difficult to cancel classes, even for medical reasons. 

This is the flip side of making your own schedule — since you choose when you work, you have to stick to it. While you can open any time slots you want, once those slots get booked you usually can’t get out of them easily.

If you cancel an already-booked class, you might face a penalty and have trouble getting future bookings.

Even for sickness, a class will likely only be excused if you have a note from a doctor. In the event of another emergency, you’ll need to provide documentation to get it removed.

3. Time Zones Can Be Challenging 

Many of the bigger online English companies focus on teaching students in China. If you live in North America, the time zones aren’t ideal.

In China, the demand for classes is highest in the late afternoon and evening when the children are home from school. Because China is almost the opposite time zone from North America, this means the highest demand for classes is in the very early morning.

This is something to think about if you’re considering working with Qkids, but with Magic Ears and VIPKID, since you can work from anywhere in the world, you could be in the same time zone as China and have no issues. 

Depending on where you live, you might be teaching late nights or early mornings. While you’ll get a lot of freedom with your online schedule, you’ll only be able to book classes when there are actually students willing to take them.

Be prepared for some very early mornings!

4. Online Teachers Often Don’t Get Benefits

At this time, I don’t know of any online English companies that offer benefits like healthcare or retirement contributions.

You’ll likely be hired as an independent contractor which means that you will be paid your hourly rate and that’s it.

If you have another job or another way to get benefits, this isn’t a problem. But this can be challenging for people who want to teach online full time because you’ll have a lot of expenses you’ll need to cover yourself.

While it’s possible to make good money, remember that you’ll have to buy your own health insurance, set aside money for taxes, and handle any retirement savings independently.

5. It Can Be Physically Demanding

At first, I didn’t think that teaching online would be tough on my body. Boy, did I learn quickly.

Sitting on the computer for several hours is taxing on the back and shoulders. My eyes got tired and I felt stiff if I taught more than a few hours at a time.

To improve my comfort during teaching, I’ve purchased some essential equipment for teaching, including: 

• Blue light blocking glasses (you can get them on Amazon or ask your eye doctor to put blue light blocking lenses in your normal prescription)
• A laptop stand to elevate my computer so I’m not hunching so bad
• A comfortable desk chair to give my shoulders and back support

See Also: 20 Best Gifts For People Who Work At Home

I also try to schedule a maximum of three teaching hours at a time. I take breaks between so that I can stretch and move around a bit. Plus, it can be difficult to always be “upbeat” when teaching children and playing lots of classroom games!

Is Online Teaching Worth It?

For me, the advantages of teaching online definitely outweigh any disadvantages. To sum up, here are the pros and cons of teaching online.

Online Teaching Pros:

• Work from home with no commute
• Can work online while traveling or visiting loved ones
• Good pay rate
• Most companies have no minimum or maximum work hours
• You can create your own schedule
• Lessons are usually provided
• No formal education experience required so it’s a great way to learn a new skill
• Class sizes are one-on-one or smaller
• Meet students from around the world
• Wear pajama pants to work

Online Teaching Cons:

• Relying on the internet can be stressful at times
• Most companies have strict cancelation policies and it can be difficult to get out of classes, even for medical reasons
• Time zones often can be challenging if you’re teaching students in China from North America
• Teachers don’t get healthcare or retirement benefits
• Online teaching can be physically demanding

For me, the pros far outweigh the cons because I have the freedom and flexibility to travel. I have enough time to pursue other hobbies while still making a reasonable income.

I love working with children one-on-one and getting to learn about other cultures. Oh, and I get to wear pajama pants to work, which is perhaps the most important perk of all!

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Even with just 2 days in Boston, you can cover some serious ground and get a good feel for the city. Read on for a detailed itinerary for how to make the most out of a weekend stay in the Massachusetts capital.

Few cities in the United States hold more historical importance than Boston. To say that a lot of important history has unfolded here is a vast understatement!

When spending a weekend in Boston, you’ll get an insight into the city’s storied past through its countless landmarks.

In addition to getting a history lesson, you can take in the beautiful scenery of Boston in its parks and along its waterfront.

Between the Charles River, Boston Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean, around a quarter of Boston’s area is actually water.

With two days in Boston, your tastebuds are in for a treat when you indulge in the city’s famous seafood. Get excited for some mouthwatering clam chowder and lobster rolls (locally known as chowda and lobsta).

There are plenty of other options here as well, from rooting for the home team at historic Fenway Park to visiting the library of one of the country’s most beloved presidents. Boston is home to world-class museums and you can also tour some of the best universities in the world. 

Here’s my itinerary for spending the perfect weekend in Boston! 

Day 1 in Boston

For the first day, we’ll focus on checking off many of the city’s historical attractions.

Along the way, there will be several opportunities to enjoy some window shopping, grab a bite to eat, discover hidden gems, and relax with a beverage of your choice.

Morning

Speaking of beverages… I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty useless before I’ve had a cup of coffee. Start off at a local cafe before a big day of exploring. A few convenient options include Thinking Cup and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.

I chose these cafes due to their proximity to our first stop of the day — Boston Common. It’s been around since 1634, making it the oldest city park in the United States.

A nice stroll in the park is a great way to start off your weekend in Boston. Check out the beautiful Boston Public Garden or relax by the Frog Pond for a bit before hitting the Freedom Trail.

This 2.5-mile Freedom Trail takes you to 16 different historical attractions across the city. It starts at Boston Common and passes by landmarks such as the King’s Chapel and Bunker Hill.

A great way to experience this important piece of American history is by taking a Freedom Trail walking tour. Those who prefer a DIY approach can click here for a PDF map to make your own walking tour.

You can get an audio narration and a live GPS on your smartphone for just a few bucks if you just click here.

Many of the sights along the Freedom Trail are totally free to visit. A few of them require an entrance ticket, such as the Old State House Museum and Paul Revere’s house.

It’s worth considering the Go Boston pass if you want to visit ticketed sights. They have a few different options and the savings are great if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing.

If you enjoy more of a personalized outing, check out the offerings on Airbnb experiences. There are several highly-rated tours with locals that will make a nice addition to your 2 days in Boston itinerary. 

Afternoon

However you choose to visit the Freedom Trail, the perfect stopping point is Faneuil Hall.

Once upon a time, this was a meeting place for revolutionaries. That’s why it’s referred to as the “Cradle of Liberty” for its role in the independence movement.

These days, Faneuil Hall is a large marketplace full of different merchants along with several restaurants and bars.

There’s no time like the present to try some of the city’s famous seafood at places like Wicked Lobsta and Boston Chowda. Go ahead and work on your Boston accent while you’re at it.

For a full list of all the options at Faneuil Hall, head over to their website.

There’s plenty of shopping to be done here as well if you’re looking to take home a souvenir. Don’t leave before taking in some of the amazing street performances that go on throughout the day out front. 

From here you have a few different options. Those moving along on the Freedom Trail can head to Paul Revere’s house, the USS Constitution and finally Bunker Hill. If you’re motivated, it’s definitely possible to tackle the whole trail in just one day.

For those who aren’t quite as passionate about history, you can head over to Boston Harbor instead. One really fun option down here is hopping on a duck tour. 

This has nothing to do with the birds that quack but rather with the amphibious vehicle of the same name. On these tours, you’ll cruise around by land and sea to take in the views of Boston. Just click here to learn more about this highly rated tour and book your tickets.

Another option is this informative sightseeing cruise. You’ll spend an hour and a half going around the inner and outer harbor while learning more about the city’s history. 

Evening

For those who finished up the Freedom Trail, you can just spend the rest of your evening over there in Bunker Hill/Charlestown. Options include the legendary Warren Tavern as well as the Brewer’s Fork beer garden. 

Speaking of beer, did you know that beer actually played a large role in the history of Boston and the country as a whole?

It was right here in Boston’s taverns that revolutionaries like Sam Adams and Paul Revere gathered to share ideas over a few frosty mugs of beer. 

Hop on this historic pub crawl to visit some of the city’s oldest taverns. Each one dates back to the 1800s and some are even older.

In addition to sharing stories, your guide will also recommend some beers that you can only get in Boston. Tours run at either 3 or 7 PM. 

Beer lovers may want to consider adding a tour of the legendary Samuel Adams brewery to their itinerary. It’s one of the most famous beers in the country and you can jump on a tour between 11-5 on Saturdays. Head to their website to see the options and book your spot.

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Day 2 in Boston

With just 2 days in Boston, you’re going to have to make some choices.

Unfortunately, you can’t see it all in just one weekend! That’s why I’ll present you with a few options for how to spend day two. What you do will depend mostly on the time of year you visit and your interests.

Morning

Ease into another big day of exploring Boston with a leisurely brunch. Peregrine in the Whitney Hotel is an excellent choice, as is The Emory. Call ahead to make a reservation to avoid disappointment and long waits. 

After a big meal and perhaps a little bit of the bubbly, you have some choices to make. If you want to continue the history lesson we started yesterday, you can check out the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

Here you have the chance to relive one of the most important events in the country’s history by dumping boxes of tea overboard in protest. Tickets cost $30 and you can click here to book them online in advance. 

Another option for history buffs is the JFK Presidential Library. Learn all about the life of the 35th President of the United States and Boston native through interactive exhibits that include a vast collection of personal documents. Tickets cost $14 and can be booked on their website.

The Boston area is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including MIT, the University of Massachusetts, and Harvard. Two of which are named in the top 3 universities in the world — making them top attractions in Boston. 

You can explore the Harvard campus on a walking tour led by students. There’s the option to tack on a visit to the Museum of Natural History as well if you’re so inclined. 

It’s also possible to make your own tour of Harvard. Just click here to download a free map along with an accompanying audio tour.

Afternoon

A great option for kicking off an afternoon in Boston is a trip up to the Skywalk Observatory. From the 50th floor you’ll get some epic views of the city. Tickets are $21 if you buy separately and it’s also included in the Go Boston Card.

It’s located in the Back Bay area of the city, which is home to trendy Newbury Street.

Full of historic brownstones, this scenic street has tons of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars to choose from. Click here for a rundown of all the various options.

One place you should definitely check out is Newbury Comics. Here you’ll find a vast collection of pop culture memorabilia, from comic books to vinyl records.

Even if there isn’t a game going on, it’s well worth it to make the short trip over to Fenway Park. Home to the storied Boston Red Sox baseball team, this is the oldest ballpark in the country.

Built over a century ago, Fenway is known as “America’s most beloved ballpark.” It’s definitely a special place to visit, and you can do so on an hour-long guided tour. These go on sale 30 days in advance and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Of course, it’s preferable to visit Fenway Park for an actual ballgame! As one of the smallest parks with one of the most successful teams in recent memory, tickets are not easy to come by.

If you’re planning a weekend in Boston and the Sox are in town, it’s best to secure your tickets well in advance.

It’s well worth splurging on good seats to see a game in this legendary ballpark. Grab some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and root, root, root for the home team!

Should you strike out on getting tickets or there isn’t a game, another option over here is the Back Bay Fens park. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through a World War II-era community garden and a rose garden. There’s also a WWII Memorial and a Japanese Bell here.

I realize that not everyone is interested in seeing a baseball stadium whether there’s a game or not!

If you get beautiful summer weather on your 2 days in Boston, you may want to spend your afternoon at Castle Hill. It’s home to the historic Fort Independence, which is only open in the summer. There are free tours led by volunteers between noon and 3:30.

You can also just kick back and relax at the scenic Pleasure Bay Beach. I bet you weren’t expecting a little beach getaway in the middle of your Boston weekend trip!

Another fun option for a weekend afternoon is this VIP brewery & beer tasting tour. It includes stopping at 4 different breweries to sample some tasty craft beers, as well as a hearty lunch or dinner. You’ll get to sample some of the finest suds in the city and enjoy a beautiful buzz for the rest of your day.

If you didn’t take the Sam Adams tour on day one and still want to visit a big brewery, Harpoon is located right near the harbor and also runs tours until 5:30 on Sundays. You can also just visit the taproom for some food and a few cold ones.

Evening

It’s been a pretty wild two days in Boston so far.

You’ve covered a ton of ground in a short time and finished up a whirlwind tour of the city. That’s why it’s time to do whatever your heart desires on your last night in town.

Of course, I’m not going to leave you hanging with no recommendations! A great way to spend your final evening in Boston is by taking a sunset cruise around the harbor. 

As an avid live music fan, my personal recommendation would be to head to a show. Boston has a thriving music scene with venues of all shapes and sizes. I always check Jambase to see who’s playing in a city when I travel.

Perhaps you just want to chill out and have a drink. It’s right there in the name at Drink – a hip bar that’s “dedicated entirely to the craft of the cocktail.”

They’re so confident in their drink mixing abilities here that they don’t even have a menu! Drinks are created especially for your taste with the freshest ingredients. 

Your weekend in Boston can also come full circle if you head over to 21st Amendment. If you’re not well-versed in US history, the 21st amendment repealed the 18th one, officially ending the prohibition of alcohol.

They have a trivia night on Sundays, which is a fun way to end the Boston weekend.

Insider’s Tips for a Weekend in Boston

I hope you have an awesome time in Boston with the help of this itinerary! I’m sure you’ll have an even better one if you follow these tips as well:

Skip the winter – This itinerary is best suited for the warmer months. It would not be nearly as enjoyable in the often bitter cold Boston winter. 

Book early for summer – Summer in Boston is great. There’s no doubt about that. Sox games, beach days, outdoor concerts, beer gardens, and more. You’re not the only one with the bright idea to spend a summer weekend in Boston, though, so book early!

Check the calendar – There are lots of big events going on in Boston throughout the year. It’s best to check the calendar to see what’s going on. If you end up there the weekend of a playoff game or a big music festival, it might be a little chaotic trying to pull off this itinerary.

Talk to the locals – This applies everywhere you travel, but I feel like I need to make it a point here. I only spent a weekend in Boston but had several great conversations with locals. They’re enthusiastic about sharing advice and recommendations for their city, plus you get to hear the awesome Boston accent. 

Go to a game – I know not everyone is interested in sports, but this city is incredibly passionate about their teams. This is especially true of the Red Sox. Do your best to make it to a game, or at least crowd into a local sports bar if you can’t snag tickets. 

Getting to Boston

Those traveling to Boston by plane will arrive at Logan International Airport (BOS). This is a major hub with direct flights to all corners of the globe.

It’s located in East Boston just a few miles from downtown. You have a few different options for how to get there. The most economical and environmentally friendly is taking the T. 

Taking the T (MBTA)

The “T” is short for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) and refers to the city’s efficient public transportation system. There’s a way to use the T no matter where you’re staying in Boston.

If you’re staying downtown, the Silver Line bus route will take you to South Station. Best of all, it’s totally free! Those staying in other areas can use a free transfer to the Red Line as well.

It’s also possible to take the Blue Line subway, but you have to get a shuttle just to get to the station and then buy a ticket for $2.75. My vote goes for the free bus ride.

For a detailed look at all the options, head to the MBTA website.

By Taxi

Taxis are readily available as well but there’s no flat-rate option and there are some unscrupulous drivers about. If you insist on taking one, just make sure they use the meter and you can follow the route on your phone. Expect to pay around $20-25 for downtown.

Rideshare

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft both work from Logan as well. Note that there’s a $3.25 airport fee added to any trips to or from the airport. 

By Train and Bus

Boston is also easily reached via train or bus. In general, it’s easy to move up and down the East Coast and this is especially true between the big cities.

Amtrak has several routes passing through Boston. You can easily travel to or from Boston by train from NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

There are also several companies running bus routes, including Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I only have experience with the latter in Boston but it was fine and cheap! Book early and you can save a lot on your tickets.

Where to Stay With 2 Days in Boston

In the interest of convenience and comfort, it’s best to stay downtown on a Boston weekend trip. Doing so ensures you spend less time in transit between the airport, which is key for such a short trip to the city.

By staying downtown, you can easily use the free airport bus and probably just walk to your accommodation. I don’t know about you, but I want to spend more time exploring and less time in traffic. Boston in 2 days is doable, just make sure you choose accommodation in a good location. 

Staying downtown also puts you right in the middle of all the action. You’re right there near the Freedom Trail and the Waterfront, which is where you’ll be spending most of your time.

From here, it’s also easy to access places like Harvard and Fenway Park via public transportation. There are plenty of great options for places to shop, eat, drink, and stay here as well. 

Here are a few different options for where to stay in downtown Boston:

If you want those harbor views and don’t mind paying a premium for them, you can search for hotels on the Waterfront as well. Back Bay is also a fun area to stay in for its proximity to Newbury Street and Fenway. 

I always do an Airbnb search of cities as well and there are some pretty solid options in Boston, especially if you don’t mind a room in a shared space. Click here to get your $55 discount code.

Enjoy Your Weekend Trip To Boston

While 2 days in Boston isn’t really enough time to get under the skin of the city, it’s certainly a nice introduction.

I’m sure you’ll have the same thought that I did, and that is “I’ll just have to come back and do it again!” There’s plenty to see and do here to warrant several return trips to this iconic American city.

I personally had an absolute blast with my weekend in Boston, soaking up the history on the Freedom Trail, digging into a big ole’ bowl of clam chowda, and cheering for the Sox (which was tough as a Tigers fan, believe me), and more.

Should you come back from your trip to the city with any excellent recommendations of your own, please drop a comment below and let us know. I hope you enjoyed this 2 day Boston itinerary.

Images in this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com. Click here to learn more about their royalty-free videos and images. 

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