Hello! This week I have a guest post from Lance Cody-Valdez. A few years ago, burned out and miserable from his job in corporate marketing, Lance Cody-Valdez decided it was time to invest in himself. He quit his job the following day and used his meager savings to stay afloat as he built a career as a freelance writer and content marketer. He created free-lance-now.com to help others use freelancing to escape the 9 to 5 daily grind.
A digital nomad is someone who not only works remotely but who travels to different places while doing so. They might do this by car, plane, or another form of transportation. Often, the only requirements that digital nomads have to perform their duties are a reliable laptop computer, fast wi-fi, and a comfortable place to work. If this sounds like a lifestyle that you would enjoy, continue reading for some tips on becoming a digital nomad.
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Find a Nomad-Friendly Job
The best jobs for digital nomads are ones that make good use of technology and do not require the employee to do much, if anything, in person. Some of these jobs include:
- Blogging, including but not limited to writing a travel blog as you go on your nomadic adventures
- Programming, which rarely requires the employee to be on-site
- Teaching online, which requires you to be available when students need you, regardless of where you or they are in the world
- Developing apps or websites, which often allows you to work asynchronously and from anywhere
There are a wide variety of careers that can be had while allowing you to be a digital nomad. It may help to know a few coding languages, but there are plenty of other jobs for those who are not so well-versed in the world of programming and development.
Save Money on the Road
Travelling does not have to be prohibitively expensive if you do it right. One way to save is by avoiding areas that are frequented by lots of tourists. This not only allows you to work in a quieter environment, but it allows you to avoid having to purchase items that are marked up to make money off tourists who do not know any better.
Another way to save is to consider a rental sharing company or extended-stay hotel that offers a discount for longer visits. Depending on how often you want to move around, staying someplace for a week or two at a time is often less expensive than making multiple short stays at a hotel.
Lastly, shop around for the best transportation options. Sometimes, flying can be cheaper than driving, while buses and trains are cheaper still. Taking another form of transportation besides driving also allows you to work or relax while you move from place to place.
Connect With Others
One of the downsides of being a digital nomad is that it can get lonely. If you are staying in one city for a couple of weeks or longer, consider reaching out to find other workers in the same boat as you. Often, sites such as Meetup will have opportunities for young professionals or remote workers to get together and socialize with one another. Although these meetups might not materialize into long-term friendships, they can help stave off loneliness while on the road.
Take Advantage of Software
Consider using invoicing software for small businesses to help ensure that you keep your books balanced while traveling. If you are a freelance worker who has customers pay you directly, look for software that allows customers to do so easily, including by having the option to make automatic recurring payments, and alerts you when a payment is made.
It is very possible to travel and make money at the same time. Follow these tips to help become a successful digital nomad. Learn more from The Money Minimalists.
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