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Everything you need to prepare for life as a business traveler
Digital nomadism has been on the rise for the past decade as more and more people realize that working doesn’t necessarily have to be tied to one location. As the pandemic has forced millions of people to work remotely, in many cases, proving that an office is never necessary, the number of workers choosing to take the plunge has increased.
I’ve been one for the past three years, disconnecting from my old office job, teaching English online for two years before finally starting a career as a writer, something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. In that time I have visited about thirty countries, spending at least a month in almost all of them. It’s a great way of life and one I recommend to anyone feeling the itch.
Being a nomad has its hardships, however, from work-related obstacles to housing shock, there are unique challenges you won’t find at home. To help, I’ve created this cheat sheet to get you going with confidence.
1. Choose your accommodation wisely
Choosing a place to stay depends more than before. My interests have changed dramatically since becoming a writer. My partner and I use accommodation apps like Airbnb, especially for monthly stays that are heavily discounted. When we started traveling, we were both teaching English, working the same hours. We always needed at least two units for streaming purposes, the wifi connection had to be strong enough to handle two people streaming and sending at the same time.
When we chose the wrong apartment, I found myself teaching in tiny bathrooms, literally sitting on the toilet to teach some kids for hours. The host throttled the wifi speed too much, we had to rely on our phone hotspots. For future reference, Mongolia’s cellular reception is not conducive to anything.
It’s much easier now, since we don’t have special requirements, but we still sometimes ask the hosts to show us a screenshot of their internet speed test to make sure we’re getting that much. For tips on how to avoid choosing a bad Airbnb, check out our sister site, Cancun Sun’s guide here.
Make sure you have a good idea of the exact requirements for where you are staying.
2. Pace yourself and don’t compare
Choosing life as a digital nomad is very different from life in a traditional setting. If you don’t put it in perspective, it can sometimes feel overwhelmingly liberating. Remember that everyone is doing it for a different reason. Some people just enjoy the flexibility, and while a change of scenery is a great benefit, travel isn’t necessarily their main focus. You can find these people living in one place for six months, living what seems like a normal working life.
Others, perhaps similar to myself, are always on the move. Remote work is my go-to vehicle, and I deliberately set my schedule to maximize my time seeing the world. With that said, it’s impossible to live like a backpacker when you do this. I burned as light as possible.
I, on the other hand, struggle with traveler’s guilt, easily the worst first world problem ever. If I have a really busy week where I don’t get out of the city I’m in, I feel like I’m not taking advantage of where I am. In three weeks I’ll have bags of items on my fifteen-item list, only two of which I’ve seen. I worked to find value at a slower pace, seeing as many things as I could without fear of having a quiet night when I felt like it.
It’s important not to compare your experience to what may seem like the same thing to others. Set your own pace, prioritize what you want, and your life as a nomad will be nothing short of fulfilling.
3. Give the best equipment
Working from anywhere can be complicated. Some cities are packed with workplaces and quiet cafes, and work is as close to being in the office as possible, while others do not have the same amenities.
If you’re going somewhere with less armor, make sure you have everything you need to stay focused. A good pair of noise-canceling headphones is often all I need to avoid the chaos of a noisy cafe or bar. I use a Sony WH-1000XM4, which does an amazing job of blocking out the rest of the world.
With your laptop, you don’t want to lug around a big machine, but working on a small screen can get frustrating after a few months. I hate my current laptop, a tiny MacBook 12 inch with one port. As a 6’3 guy, I looked ridiculous hunched over the tiny keyboard, and now I’ve upgraded to something bigger. Other friends, I’ve dealt with the frustration of a small laptop by buying a stand, bluetooth keyboard and mouse. This helps simulate the desktop setting and makes them feel more productive.
Portable chargers should always be in your bag. Not all cafes have an outlet to serve, and you don’t want to fight with other nomads for it.
4. Apps are your friend.
Apps are essential to make life easier when traveling for work internationally. Any problem you can imagine is solved with some kind of app. These are the ones I am most proud of.
- Airbnb – accommodation. Monthly stays are very cheap and offer great discounts
- Speed test – automatically tests the speed of the wifi you are connected to
- NordVPN – VPN service. Very important for safety. Keeps you safe on public wifi. It also has the added benefit of allowing you to watch content on Netflix and other streaming sites from different countries. It can also be used to hack your flight fare.
- WhatsApp – messaging app. Whether you’re moving around different SIM cards or losing your phone, you’ll still be in touch with the people you need to be with. It bridges the terrible gap between iPhone and Android users.
- Google Maps and Maps.me – Google is the king of navigation tools. No other app provides as much information. But maps.me regularly has walking routes that aren’t recorded on other apps. Download your country and find them all without internet.
- iCloud, google drive and similar services – these are all cloud services. You never know when the worst will happen. Your laptop is damaged, stolen or lost, and so is all your work. Keep everything organized so you can go straight back to it when you sort it out yourself.
- Every Airline App You Use – You fly more than most, so it pays to get the best information from each airline. Keep things simple and make sure you have the apps
5. Budget
One of the biggest misconceptions about being a digital forever or full-time traveler is the cost. I always wish I was rich or had more money so I could travel more. In fact, traveling can be much cheaper than living in one place for a long time. Thinking that you are not paying rent or renting in your hometown, you will be surprised to find that everyday life is often abroad and sometimes at a higher price for a better standard of living.
Amazing apartments in Southeast Asia can be had for as little as $400 a month. If you feel like splurging on something fancy, $1000 can get you living in royalties. For this reason, we are not satisfied. If everything is cheaper, it’s easier than ever to buy by chance, and the price difference will evaporate in the long run.
Know your finances, understand how much you spend on food and drink, and you’re more likely to have an impressive savings pot when you’re done.
6. It is paid to spend
Although you may be warned about your entire life, credit cards are amazing. They cover you in more ways than a debit card and come with many benefits, not least the ability to earn points.
Sign up for bonuses and bonus points for certain types of spending, and if you do some proper research, you can cover a significant amount of your annual travel expenses. I haven’t paid full price for a flight in two years, which is especially important this year as the cost continues to rise.
The danger with credit cards is overspending. Treat it like a debit card and don’t spend money you don’t have and you’ll be fine. Remember, if a bonus requires you to spend $6,000 over four months to earn 50,000 points, but you only spend $4,000 in that time, it’s not a good idea. Spend only the money you intended to spend in the first place.
7. Community goes a long way
The digital nomad space is a rapidly growing one, and getting support can be a huge boost. Choosing cities with digital nomads can help with this. Regular meetings, entertainment and general support will make the transition easier.
If you’re not in a digital nomad hub like Lisbon or Medellin, join Facebook groups. Any question you want answered, from where the best grocery store is to fitness gyms, can be asked there. Everyone likes to give their own advice so expect lots of responses.
8. Time zones
This is very important depending on your profession. If you’re your own boss and set your own hours, you’re golden. If you are working remotely for a large company and have to attend a meeting in New York at 3PM, unless you probably wake up at 3 AM, reconsider Kuala Lumpur.
If your employer is good with flexibility, do your best to appreciate it by working out a schedule that works for both of you. They already let you work from around the world. Don’t force them to deal with schedule changes every week because they don’t want to get up early. Consider the implications.
9. Insurance
Don’t be the one who doesn’t get it. It is very important to be prepared for every event. On a two-week trip, you can risk it, but you can go on for years. Things happen, and while hospitals abroad are generally not as expensive as in the States, they can be expensive and add up if it’s difficult.
There are many big names like Safety Wing, which is a great option.
But here we are. All my words of wisdom on being a successful digital immortal. Get out there, make some money and see the world.
This article originally appeared on Off-Road Travel. For the latest breaking news affecting your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com
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Disclaimer: Current travel laws and restrictions Subject to change without notice. Travel decisions are ultimately your responsibility. Before you travel, check with your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality and/or any changes in travel requirements. Off-road travel does not support travel against government advice.
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