In 1998 I graduated from college and was starting on a career as an adjunct instructor and academic bureaucrat. I was very in-the-know when it came to music and I was an avid fan of English music group Massive Attack.
They released an album called Mezzanine and a haunting single called Teardrop. If you’ve ever watched the TV medical drama House, it was licensed as the theme song.
Anyway, there is a lyric in the song, “teardrops on the fire,” that I view as a metaphor for human suffering.
There are philosophers who think life and suffering are inextricably linked. What makes us human is trying to learn to imbue a life of suffering with measures of dignity before death.
Perhaps I’m eager to talk philosophically about suffering instead of how explicitly it applies in this cruel new world of the pandemic.
I am fortunate enough to have been a telecommuting writing for a long time now.
I have been researching how to direct people to resources to help them become telecommuters in several columns now. It’s not easy and not everyone can do it.
However, every day we are all being subjected to negative, unpleasant news about the pandemic. Tens of million of people are suffering now and will be for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Americans financially able to travel now can’t even do that. The E.U., Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and several other countries have barred Americans for the foreseeable future.
Except Barbados.
Telecommute in Barbados
Over 12% of Barbados’ GDP is generated through tourism, especially by Americans travelers. About 40% of all economic activity in Barbados is generated via tourism.
Even though many countries are shutting their borders to Americans because of the 4 million confirmed coronavirus cases, Barbados is the exception.
So, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is expected to imminently legislate the “Barbados Welcome Stamp,” program.
It basically allows foreigners the opportunity to live in Barbados for a year and work strictly on a telecommuting basis.
Barbados has less than 110 confirmed coronavirus cases, and 7 deaths, as of this writing.
You would have to pass a coronavirus test 3-days before arriving and possibly self-quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.
Application details will be published soon. If you are interested, check on Barbados’ Government Information Service website regularly.
I know this opportunity is a long shot. You would have to have enough savings to practically support a temporary move to Barbados. And it probably isn’t practical if you have a family.
Keep in mind, this opportunity is about temporary relocation to telecommute for a year, not vacation.
My point is that there are numerous freelance and salary telecommuting opportunities available. You may need to gain online training and certifications. Pay may be low starting out.
But any work opportunity, longshot or not, is preferable to the suffering we are witnessing now.
Read More
UNEMPLOYED? HERE’S THE SALARIES OF 2 “ESSENTIAL” JOBS IN THE COVID-19 ERA
CARES ACT RENT EVICTION PROTECTIONS EXPIRING SOON – HOW TO COPE
HERE ARE THE BEST CITIES TO MOVE TO FOR TELECOMMUTING
MAKE $63K AS A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER WITH THESE FREE ONLINE CLASSES
GET CREDIT PORTIONS FOR ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS FROM COURSERA AND EDX
Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.