Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance

teach english online

    Work From Home | Online Teaching & Blogging

    by Nick & Raychel December 3, 2019

    For a lot of us, the dream is to travel endlessly and work from home. At least, that’s the dream for me. That’s why, upon our return from living in Cambodia, I decided to commit to blogging & teaching ESL online full-time.

    To the people I live with, it might look like a whole lot of walking around in my sweatpants. But the truth is – balancing these two responsibilities is a full-time job.

    So – what exactly do I do? I’m about to walk you through my daily schedule as an online ESL teacher & content creator in the write-up below.

     


    2:30AM: Wake up & prep

    Yep, you read that right. To be available for the peak teaching hours in Beijing, I start my classes at 3:00AM. I wake up around 2:30AM to prep the props I’ll need for my lessons. I also get a cup of coffee and slap on some makeup to make myself look somewhat presentable (I mean, as presentable as you can look at 2 in the morning).


    3:00AM – 7:30AM: Online teaching

    … & we’re off to the races. I usually have back-to-back lessons between this time period. My classes are approximately 25 minutes long and start at either xx:30 or xx:00. I have 3-5 minutes between classes to drink some water, use the bathroom, and get prepared for the next one.

    I do this for about 4 – 4.5 hours. If I have any open time between classes, I take it to get up, stretch, readjust my eyes and look at something besides a screen. This is super important if you work from home.


    7:30AM – 7:45AM: Finish all class reports from the morning

    Easy peasy.


    7:45AM – 7:55AM: Engage on the app

    PalFish (the app I teach on) is an online teaching platform that is similar to social media. To gain popularity and exposure, you can post “moments” (similar to Instagram stories) where you upload photos, interesting moments, learning ideas, whatever you want! 


    7:55AM – 8:10AM: Feed the animals

    As I’m currently living on a farm with horses, this is when I go to feed them their breakfast! I also give my pet rabbit a bit of hay, and grab myself a banana as well.


    8:15AM – 11:30AM: Back to sleep!

    I go back to bed for the remainder of the morning so I can catch my second wind. Sleep is necessary for any job, but when you work from home, it’s especially necessary to schedule it in at a specific time.


    11:30AM – 12:30PM: Breakfast & dinner prep

    I often meal plan for the entire week on Sundays, so it actually doesn’t always take me this long. That said, I allocate an hour to be off my phone, drink my coffee and make sure I have food to fuel my body.


    12:30PM – 2:30PM: Gym time / shower / get ready

    The most underestimated part of my day by far. I sit A LOT – so going to the gym is extremely important. Then, of course, I shower. This is what’s great about working from home – is that you can do this at any point in the day.


    3:00PM – 4:00PM: Creative work

    I spend an hour each day working on something creative. This is different every day as I’m spread across both our YouTube channel and this blog.

    That said, this is the time I spent doing something. This could be anywhere from editing, blogging, editing pictures or curating our Instagram feed. 

    I usually batch our Instagram content on Mondays so that I have something to post here. If I’m running out of content, I’ll plan a shoot for the next weekend when Nick is off work and we have time to go explore.


    4:00PM – 4:30PM: SEO /  Engagement

    Oh, the nitty gritty stuff that I hate doing but wish I had more time for.  Yep, I work from home but there are still things I *despise* doing. I allocate at least half an hour a day to making sure our SEO is on point, that you can find this blog post, that our key words are searchable. 

    Then, I engage with other accounts similar to ours! This part, I don’t hate – but it does take some time. I will only engage authentically and truthfully, so I don’t get to as many people as I want to, but hey – every little bit counts, right?


    4:30PM – 5:00PM: Set up for teaching (round 2)

    My next shift is at 5pm so I prepare for that now. Get my props ready, review my lesson plans and set up for the next few hours. I grab a snack and some water to have on standby, and get in the teaching headspace.


    5:00PM – 8:00PM: Online teaching

    Here we go again! Another three hours of teaching ESL to students in China via PalFish.

    I find the night shift to be a lot more difficult, since it’s the morning for my students in China. This time around, I need to really step up my energy x 10 to get the kids engaged. Hey, that’s just my experience.

    Needless to say, I’m usually exhausted after this shift.


    8:00PM – 10:00PM: Family time / sleep

    Ahhh, another underestimated part of my day that I value highly. My man gets home from work. We chat, eat, and watch Netflix. Then, close our eyes and get some rest.

    Now, you may be wondering – “Raychel, why do you go to sleep so late if you wake up so early?”. Well, internet friend, I split my sleep schedule into two segments.

    I generally sleep 3-4 hours at night and then for another 3-4 hours in the morning. 

    This is a personal preference and how I find myself to be the most productive and happy throughout the day. Isn’t that all that matters?


    If you’re interested for more information on PalFish, please DM me on Instagram @nickandraychel or comment in the section below so I can get back to you.

    In the meantime, you may be interested in reading my review on Teaching English on PalFish. 

    0 PinterestEmail

Categories

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019
Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

Not Luxe

Recent Posts

  • the interior of a budget van build
    Australia - Working Holiday

    How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • road trip
    TravelVan Life

    How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Cultus Lake Chilliwack BC
    CanadaTravel

    Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021

GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

IS CAMBODIA SAFE? LIVING IN PHNOM PENH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShIg00dj8Q

KAMPOT & KEP | PEPPER PLANTATIONS, KAYAKING, BOAT TOURS & TAPAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3DgTbP4SKQ

LONGBOARDING IN THE PHILIPPINES | LAPU LAPU & OSLOB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6ABZE4mSE

CAMBODIA | PROS & CONS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMhjVTJUxE&t=14s

Subscribe and Follow

Keep in touch

Instagram Pinterest Youtube

Recent Posts

  • Van Life Myths : Debunked

    November 3, 2021
  • Travel The World For Free With Trusted House Sitting

    February 14, 2021
  • Things Worth Buying as Minimalist Nomads

    April 28, 2020
  • Markets to Visit in Phnom Penh: A Guide

    March 19, 2019
  • How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Tips You Need to Read BEFORE Moving to Phnom Penh

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Things to Know Before MOVING to Cambodia

    March 10, 2019
  • Currency in Cambodia: Explained

    March 5, 2019
  • Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    February 19, 2019
  • Where to Stay in Phnom Penh : A Visitor’s Guide

    February 12, 2019
  • Day Trip to Phnom Chisor: How to Get to Phnom Chisor from Phnom Penh

    February 5, 2019
  • WHY You Should Teach English in Cambodia

    January 29, 2019
  • How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021
  • Van Life Essentials List | What We Can’t Live Without

    November 3, 2021

CATEGORIES

ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

Read More

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019

Instagram

  • Working to TRAVEL✈️🚐

If you’ve been following along with our vlogs and stories, it will come as no surprise to you when I say that our days are long right now. When we chose to start travelling, we signed up for a work-save-travel-repeat cycle and have been living in for the past 4.5 years. 

We chose this life.
But we still get tired. 

And between fixing up the van, preparing for our next adventure and working full time in that Southern Ontario heat - it’s a lot. But our minds are set on travel, on exploration, on adventure, culture, and learning. So we adapt to the seasons and understand that this point in the cycle is  just that - a season -  and we are so damn grateful to be doing it together.

📍 Traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
__

Tags: #notluxe #worktotravel #travelcouple #vanlifecouple #traveldiaries #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vanlifestyle #vanliving
  • **CLOSED** GIVEAWAY!! 🎉

We are giving away a Bluetti EB70 portable power bank. Having a power station on hand is a sweet backup for those who are already set up completely for off-grid living and/or a good start for weekend campers looking to try out van or camper van life. We are stoked to have another way to work outside, charge more appliances and get out adventuring.

The winner will win ONE Bluetti EB70 power bank & charging cables. 

Specs:
• 716Wh capacity and 800W rated wattage
• The ultra-stable LiFePO4 battery chemistry,2500+ life cycles
• 4*110V AC outlets, 2*100W PD ports, 2*5V/3A USB-A ports, 2*regulated 12V/10A DC outputs, 1*12V/10A car port,1*15W wireless charging pad.
(Note: does not come with solar panels)
-

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like this post 
2. Must be following @nickandraychel & @bluetti_official
3. Tag a friend in the comments below (more tags = more entries)
4. Bonus entry - share this post to story for 5 extra entries! 

Open to USA & Canada residents. Giveaway closes on June 22, 2022. 
Winner will be announced on 06/25/22. 

-

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

The contest period will run from 06/15 to 06/22 2022.

— 

Tags: #vanlifecouple #vanlifeing #notluxe #vanlifediaries #vanlifegiveaway #campinggiveaway #campervan #vanconversion #camperliving #tinyliving #tinyhomeonwheels #tinyhomes #vanlifenewbie #vanlifers #livinginavan #livingoffgrid #offgridliving #vanlifedreams #travelinspo
  • Slowing down 🚐 

The whole appeal of van life and many alternative living options is the freedom to take a go at your own speed.

But sometimes it feels like you just want to see it all.
And we’ve seen SO much in the past twenty months. 

Especially in the past six.

As Canadian travellers, I find that our slow season is the opposite of others. We escape the cold weather and have been abroad for many Christmases and snowfalls. During those times, we’re cliff jumping, waterfall hopping, cruising, skatepark hunting, friendship building…

Then, when lake season rolls around we’re ready to take on a more conventional work schedule, to save up to do it all again.

But we have to tell ourselves to relax, to enjoy the downtime, to take in the peaceful moments just as much as the epic ones. To soak up the sun, to drink water, to slow down.

It’s a constant learning process.

📍Traditional Hohokam, Patayan, and Yavapai land ⁣

__

Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemeetup #vanlifemoments #vanlifemovement #vanlifemagazine #vanlifestyle #vanlifeculture #vanlifecouple #vanlifeconversions #campulance #campinggirls #campinglife #rvliving #camperlife
  • But how do you SHOWER? 😅

This photo is from the most ridiculous YouTube thumbnail we’ve had to date. We took so many funny photos this day, we couldn’t NOT share. Or maybe we could. Oh well.

But let’s answer the question while we’re at it.

🚿 We primarily go to Anytime Fitness which is a little pricier than Planet Fitness. In our opinion, however, the equipment is way nicer, there are usually less people, they’re all over Canada & the US, it’s open 24/7, and the showers are private.

🚿 When we’re not near an Anytime Fitness (this has only happened one time when we were in Quartzsite), we find a truck stop shower to go to.

🚿 And that’s about it. We bought a camping shower at the beginning of van living and only used it one miserable time.

Do you think a shower is necessary in a van build?

___

Tags: #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifeshower #vanlifecamper #campinglife #campingtrip #vanlifebuild #vanlifediaries #vanlifegirls #vanlifetravel #vanlifetravels #vanlifestyle #vanlifeexplorers #campinggirls #outsideisfree #outsideshoot #vanlifeculture #vanlifecommunity
  • We have been doing so much stealth city camping lately that we felt like we needed a break. When we first moved into our van, we set off to Vancouver Island, where we were constantly surrounded by nature - and even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was just easy to be outside.

As you guys know, we’ve lived all sorts of van life. From brick & mortar jobs, to off-grid living, to city dwelling, to full-time travelling. Lately, we’ve seen A LOT of cities and while we’re grateful to have covered so much ground, we knew we needed nature. 

So we nestled ourselves into Starved Rock State Park and reset.
Full video is on YouTube. Link in bio.

__

Tags: #vanlife #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlifers #vanliving #ambulanceconversion #vandwelling #vandweller #camperlife #campervan #camperconversion #campingbackpack #campinglife #campingtrip #illinois #starvedrockstatepark
  • “The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have” – Anna Quindlen

I can’t imagine committing to being the person I was 5 years ago for the rest of my life. I can’t imagine committing to one mindset or one way of life. 

It would be impossible to put into words how much we’ve changed through travel and meeting people. And as we start to hype ourselves up for our next big journey, we’re excited to dive head first with an open mind. 

Whether you’re building a van, starting a new job, buying a plane ticket, or even walking out of the house every morning - you have no fucking idea what’s in store.

Travel has a special way of changing you. 
And the best thing you can do is allow it. 

📍 Traditional Kumeyaay land
___ 

Tags: #vanlifemovement #vanlifecommunity #vanlifecouple #vanlifediaries #vanlife #vanlifers #vanliferevolution #vantravel #vantrip #roadtrippers #roadtrippin #lifeontheroad #livinginavan #ambulanceconversion #vanlifeadventures
Follow Me!

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • 2

    Living in the Okanagan Valley, Canada (What It’s Like)

    May 29, 2020
  • 3

    Living in Kelowna vs. Living in Vancouver

    February 25, 2021
  • 4

    Top 5 Neighbourhoods to Live in Vancouver, BC

    January 12, 2021
  • 5

    What To Pack For Cambodia

    July 22, 2019
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top