You have seen the pictures. Happy-looking person on an exotic-looking beach with a laptop and this look on their face that says, “My life is perfect!” Next to that picture is almost always an article talking about how you can work online and see the world. This set of images and content refer to what is known as the digital nomad lifestyle.
A lifestyle lived by a person who funds their travels by working online, often as a freelancer. While the life looks glamorous and exciting, it pays to take a moment to understand what it means to be a digital nomad and what it takes to be a successful one. Here, we share a few insights on how you can fund your travels by adopting a digital nomad lifestyle.
Skills
The first thing you need to get right is the digital part of the digital nomad lifestyle. Do you have any skills that you can get paid for by working online on freelancing sites like QuiGig? Are these skills advanced enough to allow you to easily get jobs as you travel? If not, what else can you do online to earn an income that funds your travels?
If you do not have skills, consider learning some that you can be paid for. Alternatively, you could consider starting or buying an online business. Such businesses can be bought on sites like Flippa. Once you have a way of making money online, the next thing to consider is where you will go.
Locations
Locations are important because they will determine how much you will need and how easy it will be to go from one country to another. Considering most freelancers make around a thousand dollars a week, you must limit your travels to locations that allow you to live relatively well within this budget.
Also, consider locations that do not have major restrictions on entry like visas and other such documents. For instance, getting a European visa will allow you to travel all through the EU without having to fill out any more paperwork. Once you have a list of all the places you want to go, it is now time to consider the timelines.
Timelines
While the lifestyle is exciting and there are amazing places to visit, experienced digital nomads will tell you the lifestyle cannot be sustained indefinitely. In fact, it is suggested that putting a timeline will help you budget for your trip adequately and enjoy the experience more. To begin, start with a six-month stint.
Stay at the first country for at least a month to get the hang of living in a foreign land. After this, you can shorten your stays to up to a week per country. If you feel like things are not working out, head home and regroup. Also, always have reserve emergency money in case you need to go back home in a pinch.
The digital nomad lifestyle can be rewarding when done correctly. Rushing things can leave you broke and far away from home, turning an exciting trip into an ordeal. Plan adequately and leave your options open to fully enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.
