How to Start a Digital Nomad Life

The rise of e-commerce has encouraged several professionals to pursue the digital nomad life. With access to reliable internet, just about anyone can work and take meetings from anywhere in the world. As exciting as this sounds, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start your digital nomad journey.

What does it mean to be a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is a person who travels the world and earns a living working online. This person can either be an employee or a freelancer hired by a company. As long as they have access to a reliable internet connection, this person can spend most of their non-working hours exploring the current city they're in and planning their next destination.

How to start

1. Start saving

How much money you will need will depend on your estimated monthly expenses. There are beautiful low-cost places in south-east Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia, where $900-$1000 per month would be enough to live comfortably. Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads, and has even been named the digital nomad capital of the world. You can typically find a one-bedroom studio for about $300 a month and a restaurant meal for about $3.

2. Join a digital nomad community

While this isn't required, it can certainly help to connect with others who are on the same path. Being away from home can be isolating, and the community can help you make new friends who can provide tips and share experiences.

3. Create a plan

As the saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". Your plan should include your travel destinations, duration, budget, emergency funds, and housing situations. Having these things accounted for prepares you for the most known risks of traveling abroad.

4. Start a business / Become Freelancer

There aren't many prerequisites to leading a nomadic lifestyle. However, independence and flexibility are key factors that can help you thrive on your journey. Starting a business or becoming a freelancer can offer you the freedom to make your schedule on your own terms. You would no longer be tied to "normal business hours" and can work whenever and wherever you want.

This also gives you the opportunity to get paid for the full value of your work. For example, You can bill a client for $100/hr. for 6hrs worth of work. That equates to two 3-hour days. In 2 days, you can put $600 in your bank account from one client.

5. Sell your things

It's almost impossible to travel with your favorite couch. If you don't want to sell it, store it. However, consider storing your things with family and friends rather than paying for storage. This can eat into your monthly budget and easily deplete the resources you need to be flexible. We advise selling them because it puts money towards your journey and is less of a hassle for your family and friends.

Final thought: Arguably, the hardest part of being a digital nomad is getting started. After you have made a plan, found a reliable source of income online, and sold all your things, the rest is just enjoying the lifestyle!