In the tumultuous first months of 2020, rumors began to circulate of an impending labor revolution: digital nomad visas were attracting new remote workers to Barbados and Estonia from all places. With most of the world on lockdown, international travel seemed like a distant dream to most people. More than two years later, as international travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels, these digital nomad visas – and countless others – are more popular than ever.
An MBO Partner Research found that in 2021, the number of digital nomads in the United States alone reached a staggering 15.5 million, an increase of 112% from 2019. As remote workers gain more flexibility in their work, experts expect the number of digital nomads to continue to grow exponentially. in the coming years.
Interested in working remotely on the go? These ten simple steps will help you remote worker to a digital nomad faster than you can buy a plane ticket.
1. Ask important questions
There is a certain romanticism in the lives of digital nomads, the idea of constantly reinventing themselves and the opportunity to often start over in foreign countries. In fact, it’s much more than that. Long days on the road, difficult digital nomad visa apps and finding an affordable apartment in a country where you don’t speak the language are all everyday realities that you may not be able to anticipate before you start.
It is important to ask yourself – can you handle the ups and downs? Are you ready for the hardships of parting ways with friends and family? Do you consider yourself adaptable and flexible, resilient when things don’t go according to your plan? No one is perfect, but these are the basic questions you need to ask yourself before diving into the life of a digital nomad. Here we take a look at some of the time-tested best practices that countless nomads have used to make their journey a little easier.
2. Narrow your focus
Not all digital nomads are truly “nomads”, constantly wandering the world without any semblance of a home base. In fact, most are not. Many digital nomads prefer to have a home base and often “earn the odds” by working remotely and traveling across the same country or region for weeks or even months on end, only to return home later.
Before you sell everything and hit the road forever, narrow down your sites to the type of digital nomad lifestyle that you think fits best. There is no one right way to become a digital nomad, no matter what the internet tells you.
You may try this working model and find that it is not for you – throw it away and make changes! The good thing about this lifestyle change is that it’s so easy. Remember that you are not limited by the choices you make now.
3. Get yourself a job
So, you are already working remotely – great! Unfortunately, this does not always mean that you can go into the digital life of nomads without problems. Many companies face legal restrictions on where remote workers can be based, especially for workers based in different countries. Before buying a plane ticket, you will probably have to discuss your plans with your boss.
For many remote workers or those looking to start working remotely for the first time, this lifestyle change means providing digital nomad jobs which are more lifestyle friendly than the typical remote position. Look for flexible schedules that allow you to change time zones, fully remote staff, and other features that make it easier for you to work and travel at the same time.
Many digital nomads find it easier to start a business as freelancers or consultants and become their own bosses despite the challenges of this career choice.
4. Set your budget
Once you have found a remote job that suits the digital nomad lifestyle and know how much you will earn working remotely, it is very important to set a realistic budget for your expenses and travel. You will need to factor in the expenses you are accustomed to budgeting, such as rent and meals, as well as additional travel expenses that you may not expect.
When budgeting, factor in expenses such as travel insurance, visa fees, co-working space, laundry services, plane tickets, and more. You’ll want to leave some extras for unexpected expenses that may arise.
Your choice of digital nomad destinations will depend on your budget; you may only be able to travel to less expensive destinations when you start working as a digital nomad. Setting your budget is an important step before you can decide where you would like to go.
5. Prepare your finances
Long term travel can mean significant changes to your finances. If you plan to travel regularly, you need to make sure your bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial products support this unique lifestyle.
Look at foreign ATM fee-free bank accounts, travel-protected credit cards, and the like. Even if you’ve never thought about these things, they can save a lot of money for digital nomads who are constantly on the go.
Talking to an accountant about your tax status as a digital nomad might also be a good idea. They will be able to advise you on business expenses for remote workers. Depending on the amount of time you spend annually outside the country, you may also be eligible for additional tax credits.
6. Determine your first destination
By preparing a budget, you can narrow down your first destination as a digital nomad. There are many aspects to consider before making your choice, but best places to work remotely often include the following characteristics:
- Fast internet speeds
- Local networks of digital nomads and expats
- coworking
- Amenities such as public transportation, shopping and entertainment
- Proximity to other tourist destinations
- Digital nomad visas or other visa policies targeting digital nomads
Choosing your first destination can also be an exercise in determining what is most important to you and what you need to succeed in your new environment. The needs and interests of digital nomads are purely personal, and there is no better place for remote workers and travelers.
Some digital nomads tend to live in the big city, while others flock to tiny coastal towns where there are no other foreigners. Before making this decision, you need to consider what is best for you.
7. Explore local realities
Once you’ve narrowed down your destinations, you can immerse yourself in learning aspects of daily life as a digital nomad at your target destination. Remember that being a digital nomad is not the same as going on vacation. You will need to find an apartment and a coworking space, make sure you have fast internet to work remotely, and buy groceries for cooking.
A convenient way to immerse yourself in local realities is to reach out to other digital nomads or expats who have already adjusted to life in this new city or country. They likely have tips on how to get settled, where to stay, what to do, and the money-saving tips you’ll need to stay on budget.
8. Buy a ticket
Sometimes buying a ticket is the most difficult part of the process. This represents a concrete step towards your new future. This may be the time when you feel most indecisive. Don’t waste too much time rethinking and re-analyzing now – buy this ticket and enjoy what’s to come!
9. Pack your bags
Packing for a long trip – especially if your plans include traveling to several destinations with different climates – is not an easy task. Repackaging is the norm, but you should avoid it at all costs.
Again, this is not a vacation; you’ll do your laundry while you’re there, so you don’t have to pack everything. Many long-term travelers also keep a small budget for any essential clothing or comfort items they may have forgotten to pack.
For many future digital nomads, packing may look like picking up stuff in a house or apartment. You’ll find digital nomads selling all their belongings before taking off, while others rent storage space or store things with friends or family. Many digital nomads either sell or rent their homes, offering you an additional source of income while traveling.
10. Overestimate
Congratulations, you made it! You are living the dream of a digital nomad while working remotely from a new location. Whether your immediate reaction to this lifestyle change is positive or negative, try not to act too quickly and make any changes without giving yourself time to adjust.
Give yourself time and space to adjust, and then consider how you can make this lifestyle even more suited to your needs in the coming weeks and months. Think about how your location, speed of movement and working conditions can affect your productivity and enjoyment of the life of a digital nomad. Sometimes there are simple changes you can make to drastically improve your experience.
Final Thoughts
It takes a lot to change the lifestyle of a remote worker to a digital nomad, but it’s not impossible. By taking these steps and considering your options, you can find a way to fit this lifestyle into your budget, interests, and needs, whether you’ve been working remotely for years or just starting out.
This article originally appeared on My Work From Home Money.