Make Money Selling Canva Templates

The Northlands of New Zealand & Finally a Real Sheep! 😂

Hey My Nomadic Friends!

What a fabulous travelling week we’ve had!

From the glow worm caves & Scottish capital of New Zealand, to the Art Houses, Clock Museum & waterfalls of Whangerai (pronounced Fengerai), to the quaint old town of Russell (what an interesting history this little town has,) the chocolate factory of KeriKeri, and on to the world famous fish shop at Mangonui near Doubtless Bay, where I am now as I write this.

We’ve been in the heart of the Bay of Islands the last few days & it is beautiful!

It’s not just a feast for your eyes, though. The history of this area is fascinating!

This is where Cook arrived in New Zealand, (long after the Māori had settled, having voyaged from a place they called Hawaiki, which is believed to be Tahiti). The conflicts that followed, the peace treaty, and the arrival of the Anglican and Catholic Churches make up the most amazing stories & legends about the area.

Too much to report in this newsletter! So check out my first couple of posts on the FB Page for my series of posts about the Northlands of New Zealand! I hope I do it justice.

Post 1 - Waipu: A Slice of Scotland in New Zealand

Post 2 - Whangārei: Crazy Art, Clocks & Yummy Fudge

In the meantime, let’s get into today’s side hustle idea!

P.S. I finally saw a real sheep! 😂

50+ SIDE HUSTLE HIGHLIGHT

Design and Sell Canva Templates

Love creating beautiful, functional designs? 

Selling Canva templates could be your perfect side hustle. It’s ideal for creative nomads who want the flexibility to design anywhere and generate ongoing income. With a bit of upfront effort, you can sell templates that customers can use and customize repeatedly.

This week’s guide gives you a step-by-step plan to start and grow your Canva template shop.

You’ll learn:

• How to pick a niche, like social media graphics, planners, or business templates.

• Tips for designing user-friendly, trend-driven templates that sell.

• How to market your templates effectively on platforms like Etsy and Creative Market.

While it takes time to stand out in the marketplace, a consistent approach to creating and updating your designs can lead to a sustainable income. 

Download your quick-start guide now and start building a template shop that works for you!

INTERESTING RESOURCES

Here’s a couple of things I thought you might be interested in;

1. Nomadic Matt is holding a FREE webinar on Travel Insurance! I’m not sure if he’ll cover the 50+ market as things are a bit different insurance wise the older we get, but possibly worth a listen if you’re mid travel planning! - Click Here for more details

2. LinkedIn training! I think LinkedIn is a bit of a goldmine for the right audience. Unfortunately I don’t have the time for it right now but if it’s something you’d love to learn how to master the best course by far is Justin Welsh who’s currently running a 60% off sale for 24 hours only, so I hope it reaches you in time! - Click Here for 60% OFF his LinkedIn Course

3. Would you love to create & launch a product online whether physical, digital or a service based offering? If so jump in board my free training! I’m going to be packaging it up into a $27 mini course soon, so get it while it’s free! - Click Here to Join for FREE!

THIS WEEK’S TOP READS

REAL NOMADS, REAL STORIES

Meet Peta & Jonas: The Aussie-Swede Duo Who Traded Stability for Full-Time Travel

If you’ve ever dreamed of packing it all in and seeing the world on your own terms, you’ll love the story of Peta (from Australia’s Sunshine Coast) and Jonas (from Västerås, Sweden).

Since January 2018, they’ve been slow-traveling the world full-time, balancing adventure with home comforts—spending Christmases in Australia and European summers in Sweden.

But it wasn’t always the plan. In 2017, after some deep conversations about life, they realised they didn’t want to wait until retirement to embrace full-time travel. They decided to take what they called an “Adult Gap Year”—but that year never ended!

They sold their dream home, a successful business, and nearly all of their possessions, keeping just a few sentimental boxes at Peta’s mum’s place. With their funds invested wisely, they now live off that income and continue their journey as full-time nomads.

The Biggest Lesson They’ve Learned? Travel Your Own Way.

Over six years of full-time travel, Peta and Jonas have discovered that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to being a nomad. They do things their own way, even if it’s different from the typical retired traveller crowd.

For example, while many nomads swear by Airbnb, they rarely use it. And they travel with checked luggage rather than going ultra-minimalist—because, as they put it, “We see no need to sacrifice our little luxuries.”

They also learned quickly that fast travel wasn’t for them. Instead, they now spend 1-2 months in one location, really immersing themselves in the culture, before moving on to explore a few new places at a quicker pace before settling into their next long stay.

Their Best Advice for 50+ Would-Be Nomads?

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to start traveling more, Peta and Jonas suggest:

• Do your research—follow other nomads on YouTube, Facebook, and blogs to see how they do it.

• Expect challenges—but trust that your life experience has prepared you to navigate them.

• Say yes! Some of their best travel moments—like being invited to a wedding in Bali or celebrating a 50th in Mexico with a live mariachi band—came from being open to new experiences.

• Know your strengths (and your weaknesses)—especially if you’re traveling as a couple.

• Use technology—Google Maps, Uber, Google Translate, and WhatsApp make travel so much easier.

• Don’t over-plan—leave room for spontaneity!

Any Regrets About Selling Up?

Not a single one. They didn’t want the stress of managing tenants or maintaining a property while traveling, and they’re completely content with their decision.

That said, they do see themselves settling somewhere eventually. But for now? They’re still loving their nomadic lifestyle and have no plans to stop anytime soon.

You can follow their adventures at Nomadic Retirement Travel

TRAVEL TRIVIA

In which city would you find the historic landmark, the Forbidden City?

This ancient imperial palace, covering 180 acres and containing nearly 1,000 buildings, served as the home of emperors for over 500 years. It’s one of the most well-preserved historical sites in the world.

Can you name the city where it’s located?