The world might be at a standstill due to Covid-19 right now, but soon enough (god willing), this will pass. And if there’s anything this virus has shown us, it’s that working remote is now possible for almost every career.
If you’re dreaming of taking your life nomadic when this virus passes, we’ve got good news: it’s totally possible. However, there might be a few things you’ll have to think about. The following are a few hacks you should consider to make your life a bit easier.
The Delivery Problem
These days, you can get almost everything delivered to your door, including things that are hard to come by. The problem is, most companies that deliver expect you to have a permanent address. Anyone that doesn’t have that may have trouble getting the things they like, such as your favorite specialty coffee. Well, don’t worry because all you need to do is get a coffee subscription that ships coffee wherever you’re at. You can do the same for many items. Some companies allow you to ship to a center near you where you can pick up items as well.
Thinking About Banks
Digital nomads face another problem: banking. Those who travel, especially if you travel internationally, have to worry about foreign transaction fees and charges for using foreign ATMs. No one wants to pay these fees, and it seems like some companies are starting to listen to your complaints. Nomads should consider using digital banks or challenger banks. These banks eliminate those fees and allow you to access your money no matter where you are without much hassle. Banks like Chase, Ally and Capital One all offer options for checking accounts that don’t have foreign transaction fees.
Good Virtual Protection
The next thing you have to worry about is your digital devices. As a digital nomad, you probably depend on your gadgets more than other people to make a living. This means you need to treat your devices like they’re your livelihood, and to do that, you need to invest in protection. One thing to consider is using a VPN service, which should help keep your devices safe even if you’re connected to public wi-fi. Another advantage of using a VPN is the freedom of accessing all of your favorite shows with player VPNs such as BBC iPlayer VPN. This is because the information you send is going to be 192.168.l.l encrypted, so no one can see anything. It may also be a good idea to invest in good virus and malware protection just to be safe.
The Packing Problem
One problem some digital nomads have an issue with is packing. You really don’t need that much as you travel, especially if you do it smartly. For example, you don’t need more than one pair of pants and a few shirts to help you spice up your look. You don’t need cooking utensils if you rent a place that’s furnished. Minimize what you carry, and it’ll be a lot easier to keep on moving.
Remember to Live
Digital nomads sometimes forget to live. You need to make sure you stick to a schedule so that you have time during your day to enjoy life a bit. This also ensures that by the end of the day you aren’t still working. Start working early in the morning, and finish all your work at a certain time. You’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy yourself and go to sleep at a reasonable time. Take your time to go outside since you’re probably stuck indoors a lot. Find a nature trail nearby, and go for a walk so that you enjoy the small things.
Your life as a digital nomad can be what you want it to be. Sure, it’s going to take some time to get the hang of everything you have to change in your life, but this journey will be worth it.
1 Comment
Thanks for the great tips, Kelly! For 9 months of the year, I’m bound to the USA as an ESL teacher but I take my digital nomad life on the road every summer break and teach online. With so many online opportunities now, I may consider shifting completely to the digital nomad lifestyle. What are your favorite digital-nomad friends cities?