If your work is online, some people like the idea of becoming a ‘digital nomad’. This does not always involve living on a paradise island, though it could. Or it could simply mean working from a garden shed or travelling around England, earning money on the go.
But there are issues you have to navigate. Like flexible broadband connections, banking (especially if you travel abroad) and finding and paying for travel and accommodation, if you are frequently on the move. Security is an issue too, so use a good VPN, as you may well be working from hotel rooms or airport lounges.
But it’s a popular way of working, as you get freedom to travel when you want. How to Be a Digital Nomad is a great little read by an American who took a one-way ticket a few years back and now earns a living doing just that. The book includes interviews with remote workers who collectively have been making a living remotely for years.
If you wish to donate a portion of income to favourite causes, read our post on how to give anonymously to charity.
Build the Right Skills and Mindset
If you work digitally (just like working from home) you have to have some self-discipline. It’s good to try to set some kind of routine for working hours, so you (a) get the work, but (b) don’t become a workaholic, and take time off for rest and relaxation (and travel, if that’s why you’re a digital nomad in the first place).
Secure Your Finances Before You Leave
Try to have a 6 month buffer for funds, before you travel, and also save a set amount each week, keeping your personal and work accounts private. Look up the laws with your business bank for international payments, and ensure your Internet connection is good. Things you’ll need to budget for as a digital nomad include:
- Housing
- Food and drink
- Work costs
- Transport
- Insurance
- Leisure
- Emergency funds
It may be an idea to get a virtual address, so any post can go to a set address, and then be sent on to you (or back to a UK address, if you still have one).
Pack Smart and Stay Connected
You’ll also need a simple kit to take with you:
- A good backpack or carry-on suitcase
- Compact first-aid kit and basic meds
- Two pairs of vegan shoes, walking and casual
- Clothes you can layer
A good laptop and charger, with universal adaptor. And a portable power bank (check it works in your country or reserve for UK use).
Digital Nomad Case Study: Courtney Carver
Courtney Carver (whose recent book Gentle has tips on balancing life and work) in the USA who decided to completely change her life, when diagnosed with MS in 2006. This led her on a journey of love, health and simplicity. And now she runs a successful site on simple living, and works from wherever she happens to be.
She sometimes works from home, sometimes at a local café or sometimes in an airport lounge. She takes a lot of time off, and although not a world-travelling digital nomad, she still follows the principles, all be on a smaller scale. And because she lives a simple life, she has less income needed, to lead a quality life.
Instead of working so hard to make ends meet, work on having fewer needs. Start to think about what really matters to you. If you aren’t sure at first, don’t worry. Sometimes you have to get rid of the things that don’t matter, to let the things that do, rise to the surface. Courtney Carver
