Since the rise of accessible internet, there has been a wave of new travelers, seeing the world but also making money and you may have heard of them. Digital nomads, are the people you have seen working from the most beautiful shorelines of the world all by their laptops and phones. It’s the dream for most people and it isn’t that impossible to make happen. Although, potential nomads should be aware of the types of cons the nomadic life can present. From types of work to accommodation, we have put together a guide to get budding travelers ready to start their nomadic journey.
Look further down the road.
From the outside, it may look as though nomads simply drift from place to place or wherever the wind takes them. Although some might, the key to making this lifestyle sustainable is to plan for the future. That doesn’t necessarily mean five or ten years down the road but just a few months to even a year in advance. This is especially true when it comes to securing accommodation. It may be tempting to stick it out in hostels or last minute hotels but most nomads have a solid base and usually plan to stay for at least a little while. When looking for somewhere to rent, consider Blueground for beautifully furnished apartments. Leases start at 30-day, making these spaces perfect for working nomads who are looking for the luxury and comfort of home while traveling.
Ways you can work anywhere you want in the world.
Remote working with your current job
In certain job positions there is the potential for remote working, in this case, you could speak with your boss about turning your role into a remote working position. For example, if you’re a copywriter, you may be able to stay with your company and do your job from another country.
Similarly, some nomads also take paid sabbatical time, using their travel to further their experiences and knowledge which will in turn fuel their work.
Freelance
It’s not always possible to continue your job when you travel and in some cases you might not want to. Freelancing is one of the most popular ways that nomads earn money while living abroad. Taking your current job role or skills and providing your services for paying clients. You can do this remotely or you could offer your services to businesses local to the country you are visiting. This is also a fantastic way to ease some flexibility into your job and knock off the 9-5.
Utilizing your current skills
Another way to earn money while traveling is by taking any transferable skills you have from current or previous jobs and applying them to any sort of work that may interest you. For example, if you have a degree in English, you may decide to go freelance and offer businesses copywriting services or content writing. You can get yourself started by using online sites such as Freelancer or Upwork, where there are hundreds of job posts from all over the world, some of these projects are short term and others may be long term.
Set up an internet business
You may have heard of the term residual income, where people set up a business with minimal management but the owner takes a profit. These businesses are ideal for nomads because of their flexibility but also because you only need to ensure that everything is running smoothly. An example of this may be a print shop. You can create and sell artwork with a company like RedBubble, all you do is set up a storefront, list your items and Red Bubble will print and fulfill your orders. You just handle the admin and marketing aspects of the business.
Technology Access
Most of the types of work digital nomads do require the internet and a laptop. The first issue here is, if something goes wrong with your tech, having money set aside or investing in some kind of insurance is a good way to cover yourself should you need to replace it or get it fixed. The other issue is internet access, while most places will have you covered, nomads always research that the places they are staying have good, quality networks since most if not all of your work will be conducted via the internet.
Plan for worst case
As alluring as the nomadic lifestyle is, approaching it with a contingency is the best way to ensure that you do not get stuck in a rut at any point on your travels. This can be something as simple as making sure you have chosen the right accommodation, in the best areas or making sure you have money set aside should an emergency arise.
Better quality of life and more experiences for less money
It’s exactly what it says on the tin, living your heydays out on a tropical island, trying out new foods and discovering new cultures sounds like a great way to spend your days. The beauty of it is that, in places like the Philippines, you can do it with a small budget.
