Benefits to being a digital nomad
- The freedom to be your own boss. Time to say goodbye to messy office politics! You can even control how much work you’ll do now as well as when to do it; therefore, you have great control over your own time and your own rhythm (e.g. setting your ‘play’ and ‘work’ times, etc.)
- Travel the world. This is the biggest selling point of this lifestyle. As mentioned previously, this type of career is ‘remote’ given how you can do your work online — a realm that is not bound to one stationary place — so it’s really no news to know or see digital nomads who hop from one exotic destination to the next.
- Apart from this enriching travel experience, it can be helpful to your budget as well since you can travel to countries that have lower costs of living; thereby, lessening your monthly expenses.
- More experiences and more friends-to-be. There is much to do in this world and it’s a given that you’ll be thrown into situations where you can get the chance to connect with like-minded individuals (locals, travelers, and fellow digital nomads).
- This is a great thing because you could also have the opportunity to bounce off ideas with people that would not only help improve you as a person but could also help give you ideas in ascending your career and in building a remote/online business (which is customarily the grand goal of any digital nomad.)
Downsides to being a digital nomad
- It’s not all about travel & pleasure. Most people think that what all digital nomads do is spend time away lounging on the beach since they only work a few hours in the day. Well sure, that can happen (because I work less than 4 hours a day now)BUT not everyone can do that immediately especially when you’re still starting out.
- In the beginning, you’ll most likely be shedding blood, sweat, and tears, working 80% of the time (or even more) in a coworking space, internet cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, or hotel room as you try to focus and stabilize your workflow. Trust me on this because this is how I was before — but sure enough, once you get past that grueling entry stage, it can get smooth sailing from then on.
- Additionally, as you struggle with this process, productivity can also suffer from too many distractions.
- Traveling can lose its magic. As they say, if you do something so much, the novelty will wear off. Plus, it can get exhausting to move all the time! Sometimes the idea of traveling just equals to “working” for me too and it can be such a downer.
- A decent internet connection tends to be hard to come by. This struggle is real. Digital nomads rely on the internet, and an unreliable connection is a great inconvenience. Regrettably, this is a problem that we almost always face as we travel around the world, especially when we base ourselves on budget destinations that have poor internet quality.
- It can get lonely. This is most likely to happen if you’re setting out in this lifestyle alone or if you don’t take the initiative to connect with people while you’re on the road. But then again, it’s also possible that no matter what you do, that feeling of homesickness will still creep in from time to time and it can be quite tough to beat.
We can begin with five “rapid methods” (progressing from common scenarios to severe ones).
- Go solo. This means that you quit your job and transfer your current work online. This scenario works best for consultants (any type), teachers/tutors, lawyers, accountants, etc.
. - Transition to remote work. If you don’t want to leave your office job, strike a deal with your current employer to let you work online instead. This works best if the majority of your tasks involve working on a computer; in other words: your physical presence isn’t needed in the office. (If you want tips on how to approach your boss about this, you can read Tim Ferris’ book, the 4-Hour Work Week).
. - Physical to digital. If you already own a brick-and-mortar business, consider ways to move your physical business online — if not ways on how to manage it remotely. There are a LOT of tools already available, online and offline, that can help you make this arrangement possible (online accounting applications, Amazon selling, webcam surveillance, manager hire, etc.)
. - Online entrepreneur. It’s one of the fastest ways (provided that you’re ‘loaded’ or prepared to take a big fat loan) BUT it’s also the riskiest especially if you don’t have any prior experience or connections to help you succeed. That being said, it’s important to learn the trade first; better yet, get a mentor!
. - Buy existing online businesses that you can run or that you can get passive income from. But remember: this is very risky (much like #4 above) especially if you’re not an experienced business owner. Some of the ways to buy businesses: franchises, online websites on Flippa, or online businesses on FE International.
Preparation Tips for The Aspiring Digital Nomad
Although moving abroad may seem like an appealing idea, it is important to avoid impulsive decisions. You can evaluate the digital nomad lifestyle by working remotely while traveling for a few weeks to determine if it is the right fit for you. Failure to try it out before committing to remote living can lead to difficulties. Therefore, take the opportunity to test the waters and make an informed decision.
Even if you are highly reliant on digital communication, there is still a possibility that you may receive significant correspondence through traditional mail. In case you do not have anyone you trust to take pictures of important documents and send them to you, consider using a mail scanning and forwarding service that allows you to access significant paperwork from anywhere in the world.
To save money while traveling, it is advisable to be savvy about spending overseas. Opting for a credit card that doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees can be an effective strategy. Foreign transaction fees, which may reach 3% or more, can add up significantly. It’s also recommended to choose the local currency when paying with your credit card, as paying in your own currency may result in unfavorable exchange rates and additional fees.
It’s important to comprehend your visa requirements or the stipulations for entering a country without one. Be mindful of specifics such as expiration dates and the permitted and prohibited activities under your visa. Some nations have introduced digital nomad visas that authorize remote work while staying legally within the country.
Breaking these rules has resulted in consequences for numerous digital nomads. Overstaying their visas has led to being prohibited from entering countries. Although working remotely on a tourist visa may be tolerated by some countries, it remains a legal uncertainty, and encountering a strict border agent can ruin one’s entire journey.
Ensure that you exercise your right to vote by finding ways to cast your ballot from your current remote location worldwide. It is recommended to set this up ahead of time. Keep in mind that the process may be simpler in some states than others and may require personal attendance.
Get Your Gadgets Sorted
Before travelling, ensure that your electrical devices are compatible with the local voltage and acquire travel adapters and transformers if necessary. While an adapter allows the plug to fit into the outlet, a transformer adjusts the voltage to suit your equipment. Although most contemporary electronics are suitable for 120 or 220 volts, a few may necessitate a transformer. Additionally, it may be wise to bring additional cables for your phone and other gadgets in case of malfunction.
Ensure that you arrange your international phone plan with your phone provider. Some inexperienced nomad travelers may try to rely solely on wifi for their phone but may be caught off guard by excessive international roaming charges. Phones consume data even when you are not using them, so if you accidentally switch off airplane mode, you could be faced with substantial fees. If you are traveling abroad, it is recommended that you either have an international plan or a local SIM card. Several carriers offer international plans that are ideal for those who frequently change countries but want to keep their current phone number. However, data rates are often slower than what you are accustomed to in your home country.
Determine whether your phone is compatible with a local SIM card if you plan on staying in one country. Different mobile networks vary in compatibility with phones, and switching SIM cards can lead to issues with applications like WhatsApp, as it alters your device’s phone number. Additionally, there may be issues with receiving two-factor authentication codes from companies as they will be sent to your home country number rather than the number on your new country’s SIM card. To circumvent these issues, consider using a virtual phone line such as Google Voice with your home phone number.
E-books devices offer convenience for reading while traveling. With Overdrive, you can borrow library books using your hometown library card from anywhere. All you need to do is make sure it’s established prior to your departure.
Make sure you stay connected by carrying rechargeable power packs with you and keeping them charged in case your batteries run low or the power goes out while traveling. Don’t forget to check the size restrictions for power packs on any airline you’ll be taking.
Digital Nomad Jobs Tips
Knowing the time zone difference between your location and your client or employer’s is crucial for most digital nomad positions. If you have frequent meetings, ensure that your time zone permits attendance at a favorable time (e.g., not at 4 a.m.). It’s also essential to check the day in your client’s location since you could be ahead of or behind them in specific parts of the world.
It is possible to become so engrossed in digital nomad work that one fails to notice the destination being visited. To prevent this, arrange to explore both the popular tourist sites and more unique locations.
Ensure that you inquire about the internet speed before reserving a non-refundable AirBnB or any other rental, particularly if you work online. The definition of “fast” varies, and in certain locations, 10mbps is considered incredibly quick but insufficient for the majority of digital nomad positions. Request that they employ the Ookla Speed Test and transmit the findings.
It’s important to have a backup of all the files you’re currently working on both locally and on the cloud. This way, if you lose access to the internet, you can continue working with the local backups. Additionally, if you misplace or lose your laptop, you can still retrieve your files using another device.
Take advantage of work as an opportunity to establish social connections! Find a co-working space that allows you to socialize and network with new acquaintances. This resource will also prove beneficial in the event of internet downtime or tasks that require access to equipment like printing or faxing, which may not be readily available in your own workspace.
It is unlikely that your home health insurance plan will provide coverage while you are travelling. You should check whether your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with the country you plan to visit. In case there is no such agreement, it would be advisable to consider obtaining either a travel insurance plan or an international health insurance plan. International Citizens Insurance offers a guide to nomad travel insurance plans, which can assist you in choosing the most suitable option.
Make sure the medication you rely on, whether prescription or over-the-counter, is lawful in the country you plan to visit. Conduct your research months in advance. It is necessary to note that certain countries restrict the use of drugs for anxiety and ADHD, as well as CBD and other cannabis items. Even when possessing a prescription, tourists have been detained in certain nations. Furthermore, some countries prohibit drugs that are available over-the-counter in other areas.
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