Modern banking is almost as responsible for the rise of digital nomads as is the ability to make money via the Internet. If you're considering a nomadic lifestyle, you must first set up your banking properly to avoid any problems accessing your money while on the road.
One of the common ways that banks attempt to prevent fraud is to halt transactions that occur in an unauthorized foreign country. New nomads will discover this quickly when they border hop to a new country and try to buy something with their bank card.
Additionally, most digital nomads run their own online business and very few nomadic entrepreneurs operate them within their home country. Because they and their business are location independent they'll typically find the most advantageous places to register their company, which presents other banking challenges.
Being a voluntary homeless nomad presents countless obstacles for banking and it's not very fun to be stuck in a foreign country with no access to your money. Therefore, it's essential to have your affairs in order before taking off.
Here are 8 banking tips for digital nomads:
Employ a Trusted Friend
Having a trusted friend, associate, or family member in your home country is a huge asset. This person can help with a variety of tasks; collecting your mail, paying bills, and sending money abroad in an emergency. In some cases, it may be appropriate to make them power of attorney over your accounts, or even sharing a joint bank account to ensure that things run smoothly.
Multiple Bank Accounts
Banks these days find many reasons, valid or not, to freeze accounts until the dispute is rectified, and sometimes they require you to be there in person to unfreeze your account. Having multiple bank accounts at different banks (or even in different countries) will allow you to still operate should something happen to one account while you're traveling abroad. Crediful offers a list of great options when it comes to international travel banks.
Notify Your Bank of Your Travel Plans
Before you leave for an extended journey, notify your banks of the countries you'll be traveling to so they unlock your debit card for those countries. It is also imperative to have an agent at your bank who you can email or call should your travel plans change to include other countries.
Paypal
Even if you have never used Paypal it's crucial for you to have an account there. Paypal is one of the best innovations for digital nomads, but your account must be fully "Verified" to realize its benefits. They provide another option for receiving funds and paying bills, and your account can be attached to a bank account in nearly any country. However, in order to "Verify" your account, they require a mailing address and other information.
Consider Life Insurance
Life insurance has a number of benefits for Digital Nomads. While most people assume having life insurance means your family will get a payout if you were to die unexpectedly (which is true for most). That alone can bring peace of mind for some, but with so many different options out there you can rest assured that you are prepared for whatever the future has in store.
You can easily buy life insurance online nowadays so you don't have to worry about finding something that works for you.
Maintain a Mailing Address
Get a Stable Phone Number
You'll need a phone number for many of your accounts. Make sure it's one that can reach you anywhere in the world. Skype offers very inexpensive phone numbers with voice mail that you can access anywhere with an Internet connection. It's best to use the same phone number for all of your accounts to keep any communications and security questions easy to remember.
Maintain a Mailing Address
Keeping the same mailing address makes things much easier as you travel the world as a nomad. This can be a PO Box or your friend's or family member's home address. You'll not only use this address for your bank and Paypal accounts but for anything that requires an address like ordering things online.
Scan Important Documents
Scan important documents and store them in multiple locations, on your computer, an external hard drive, and in a cloud storage site like Dropbox. The most important documents to save are anything that proves your mailing address; your driver's license, an electric bill, or a cell phone bill. Other documents you may need are recent tax returns, copies of your passport, copies of each of your bills and account statements, etc.
Scan important documents and store them in multiple locations, on your computer, an external hard drive, and in a cloud storage site like Dropbox. The most important documents to save are anything that proves your mailing address; your driver's license, an electric bill, or a cell phone bill. Other documents you may need are recent tax returns, copies of your passport, copies of each of your bills and account statements, etc.
Get a Stable Phone Number
You'll need a phone number for many of your accounts. Make sure it's one that can reach you anywhere in the world. Skype offers very inexpensive phone numbers with voice mail that you can access anywhere with an Internet connection. It's best to use the same phone number for all of your accounts to keep any communications and security questions easy to remember.
If you take these tips you'll be able to enjoy your travels without worrying that you'll be locked out of access to your funds. Let us know in the comments below if you have other tips for digital nomads!
The Most Popular Destinations For Digital Nomads
The most popular continent for digital nomads is Europe, but it has both pros and cons for the lifestyle. While it is full of cafes that have Wi-Fi, great internet connection at hotels, and countless destinations to see, it is not the cheapest place to work and travel. In fact, it boasts some of the most expensive cities to visit. The ability to get the work done is quite possibly the most important aspect of the lifestyle, but affording where you are staying is another pivotal component.
On the other hand, parts of Asia are much cheaper places to stay, but the internet connection and access to Wi-Fi can be spotty. The continent boasts beautiful landscapes, unspoiled culture, and many opportunities for great experiences, but it isn’t the best place to get stuff done.
Still, the most popular destination for people living the digital nomad lifestyle is Bali. Not only is Indonesia, and Bali in particular, beautiful, it is also a cheap place to live. According to the site MoneyPug, which is used to compare holidays, the same goes for Chiang Mai and Bangkok in Thailand. Though Bali and Thailand—in addition to Budapest, Berlin, and Seoul—make up some of the most populations, how do they stack up when you really analyze the pros and cons of living a digital lifestyle?
The Most Feasible Destinations For Digital Nomads
For example, according to a recent study of the most livable destinations for digital nomads, the best country is Estonia. Followed by Finland, Norway, and Denmark, it is clear that Northern Europe has an advantage as far as the balance between price and accessibility goes. After these destinations, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United States all make the top ten. Notice that Indonesia, Thailand, Hungary, Germany, and South Korea don’t make this top ten list.
South Korea is the top out of these countries, falling all the way to 27th on the list of 68 countries. This is followed by Hungary at number 36, Thailand at number 47, Germany at 53, and Indonesia at number 62. Needless to say, there is a disparity between where digital nomads want to go and where they should go.
Security vs. Experiences
This is not surprising, the top ten countries, except for maybe Israel and the United States, are extremely safe and prosperous. It goes without saying that security is a great component of a place to make your home for a while, but it doesn’t always lead to unforgettable experiences.
They all boast great spots to post on Instagram, but none provide that risky, exciting vibe that people look for when they travel abroad. The only Asian country that made it onto the list was Singapore, which is known both for its security, its no-nonsense government, its food, and its mix of cultures. Singapore is a destination people want to travel to, but it also misses the gritty aspect of travel so many people crave.
If you are looking to become a digital nomad, working remotely while traveling the world, it may be beneficial to sacrifice where you want to go and replace it with where you should go. But that doesn’t satisfy a lot of people, so many digital nomads get into for the thrill of the lifestyle. With thousands of people making this lifestyle work, it will be curious to see if more people will gravitate towards better opportunities or the most exotic destinations.
This post is just a mear glimpse into the world of balancing between the most popular destinations for digital nomads and some that may be more practical. There is much to consider when traveling as a digital nomad, but most of all you have to determine what works best for your situation.
I remember the days when we traveled with no tech at all. Sometimes I yearn for those days back, in theory it's a beautiful picture. But then I remember the difficulties that were inherent to not having anything tech with you. The crappy photos, the impossibly huge maps to unfold, the travel guide upon travel guide so you wouldn't miss any great spots...and then I remember why the tech is so amazing and so vital to travel, especially long term travel.
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| Flickr image |
Screen protectors
I know you may be thinking that any screen protector will do but it has been my experience that that is not the case at all. I have broken my fair share of Ipad/Iphone screens and although it can be repaired when traveling this can be a real headache. I recently tried a new type of screen protector that we received at a discount, and am thrilled with it.
My youngest has an Ipad mini and to say he drops it or bangs it often would be an understatement. The Intelliglass screen protector is super clear so it doesn't impede with his ultra important mine craft building or YouTube watching and the fit is nice and slim so it doesn't even feel like there is an extra piece there. It is extremely hard, almost diamond hard strength which has withstood numerous drops, bangs, and hits.
The things my son and I love most though are the cool new type of coating it has, they call it oleophobic, and what that means is that streaks and fingerprints don't stick to it and they truly don't. We love that and it was a common issue with the other screen protectors we have used. The other problem we have with most screen protectors is what a PITA it is to install or place it on the device. This Intelliglass is easy to install and they even have a video to show the best way. No bubbles or residue!! Thank goodness,
Portable power bank
Every traveler flat out NEEDS a portable power bank. When the 3 hour bus trip turns to 10 hours, or when you are stuck waiting for a flight that has been delayed yet again, or when you just simply don't have enough plugs for charging in the beach bungalow you paid $10 a night for you will need that extra power.
They are super slim now and can often times provide you with up to 10 hours of extra battery life. If you've ever been stuck in any of the above scenarios, especially with 3 children you can appreciate the value in these extra hours of device life!
A "real" camera
Now as an avid photographer I absolutely had to include a camera on this list. I know iPhones take great pics now, Samsung phones maybe even better but a proper and dedicated camera is really vital to enjoying or better yet remembering your amazing trip or travel lifestyle.
I had a basic click and shoot Nikon for years, regrettably even after we started our nomadic life, and I thought I was doing pretty great. I take loads of pics and at the time I thought that camera was capturing some amazing shots. But then I decided to jump all in and get my first DSLR! Wow, what an amazing difference. I am now able to capture some truly amazing travel shots that I know wouldn't have been possible with that old point and shoot.
The phone does a great job, and when I am out for a quick jaunt or someplace that the admittedly large camera just doesn't make sense, then I happily use the phone. But for the real shots, the deeply moving images I cannot recommend a decent DSLR enough!
WiFi Help
"If you spend a lot of time in hotel rooms tethered to a 3" blue Ethernet leash or racking up $9.95-a-day wireless charges, this little white box could be the handiest 7.58 ounces in your computer bag. Originally marketed as a device for extending the range of an existing WiFi network or for beaming music from a computer to a home stereo system, Apple's Airport Express also functions as a wireless base station in its own right. Just plug that Ethernet cable into the box and the box into an unoccupied outlet. When you fire up your computer, the transmitter shows up, ready to be configured into your own private WiFi domain. Share it with whoever is in the room with you or, if you don't enter a password, your neighbors down the hall." Philip Elmer-Dewitt
I couldn't explain that any better! I actually didn't know this existed until just recently. At just $100 (starting price) this is well worth your money and time to grab before leaving on a trip. In both Hawaii and Australia alone they charge a fortune every day to connect wirelessly even in nice hotels. This device will pay for itself in a few short days and take all the headaches away in regards to connecting while on the move.
Amazing ear buds/headphones
This one may be a no brainer but few things in the tech realm are more irritating than crappy headphones, particularly if you are traveling with family AND need to work remotely. We find that we need some earbuds, and those can be middle of the road but we also need a good pair of headphones. It helps with Skype calls, noise cancelling at night, watching a movie in heavy downpours, etc.
If you work while traveling be sure to get a good pair with a microphone. It may sting to buy it at the moment (although there are plenty of good headphones that are not Bose or Beats) but in the long run they will last longer and give you better peace of mind when that next work call comes in!
What do you think of our list? What would you add?
Our prepaid bandwidth ran out for the third time in a month. Internet costs in Malaysia were running $150/month to feed our streaming addiction. The sad thing is that we were grateful for it.
Our rig at that time was a SIM card inserted into a USB dongle which plugged into a portable WiFi router.
It was a mess, but it satisfied our family-of-five's business needs and downloading urges well. The speed was surprisingly sufficient but we used up the bandwidth limits very quickly.
When we exceeded our prepaid limit we'd have to hop on our motorbike and go to the mall up to our gigabyte limit in person. The workers at the cell phone kiosk used our first names and gladly gave us our next fix for $50.
It's all part of the adventure of staying connected as digital nomads in foreign countries, but it sure beat going without Internet or having service so slow that it teased us enough to think we could get something done. In reality we just swore at our computers for countless hours.
Now that we're settled into a longer-term rental, it's nice to have a stable Internet connection. Yet we've come to realize that not all WiFi routers are created equal.
With a teenage gamer in the house, two budding Minecraft architects, and parents who bring home the bacon from the Internet, our needs are extensive for a single connection.
That is why we jumped at the opportunity to try NETGEAR's Nighthawk AC1900 for free in exchange for the review you're reading right now.
You may think because we call ourselves digital nomads that we must be tech savvy. You'd be wrong. Our 16-year-old has become the house techie by default because he has the most patience to read instructions and watch multiple YouTube tutorials if needed.
After a quick reading of the instructions our son had the NETGEAR up and running in fifteen minutes.
The NETGEAR router's three beefy antennas boosted the reach of the WiFi all the way to the end of our driveway (about 50 meters).
Although our telephone internet service provider is inconsistent, our kids are reporting a much more stable connection during video game play than before.
They already liked the NETGEAR device better because it looked so much cooler than our old one, but now they are thrilled that it seems to work better too.
I honestly never even knew there was much difference or that a router can do all that the Nighthawk can do. The Netgear Nighthawk can:
Our rig at that time was a SIM card inserted into a USB dongle which plugged into a portable WiFi router.
It was a mess, but it satisfied our family-of-five's business needs and downloading urges well. The speed was surprisingly sufficient but we used up the bandwidth limits very quickly.
When we exceeded our prepaid limit we'd have to hop on our motorbike and go to the mall up to our gigabyte limit in person. The workers at the cell phone kiosk used our first names and gladly gave us our next fix for $50.
It's all part of the adventure of staying connected as digital nomads in foreign countries, but it sure beat going without Internet or having service so slow that it teased us enough to think we could get something done. In reality we just swore at our computers for countless hours.
Now that we're settled into a longer-term rental, it's nice to have a stable Internet connection. Yet we've come to realize that not all WiFi routers are created equal.
With a teenage gamer in the house, two budding Minecraft architects, and parents who bring home the bacon from the Internet, our needs are extensive for a single connection.
That is why we jumped at the opportunity to try NETGEAR's Nighthawk AC1900 for free in exchange for the review you're reading right now.
After a quick reading of the instructions our son had the NETGEAR up and running in fifteen minutes.
The NETGEAR router's three beefy antennas boosted the reach of the WiFi all the way to the end of our driveway (about 50 meters).
Although our telephone internet service provider is inconsistent, our kids are reporting a much more stable connection during video game play than before.
They already liked the NETGEAR device better because it looked so much cooler than our old one, but now they are thrilled that it seems to work better too.
I honestly never even knew there was much difference or that a router can do all that the Nighthawk can do. The Netgear Nighthawk can:
- Prioritize internet video streaming
- Prioritize video game play
- Share a USB drive to the entire network
- Use a free Ready Share vault back up
- Share a USB printer
- Use an iTunes Server
- Set up a secure VPN service
- Customize a personal FTP server
- Use the Netgear Genie app
- Set up parental controls
- Connect my smart phone to the home wifi by scanning a code
- Access my router and change settings remotely
- Make a printer AirPrint from my phone
- Quickly send files from computer or smartphone to other devices in the network
- Receive help and support from the Netgear team
Have you been thinking of taking a long sabbatical, a nomadic
break from your boring life, an extended vacation or jumping into an expat lifestyle?
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When your alarm clock goes off in the morning, is your first
thought “I hate my life”? Or worse, just another day ticks off the calendar
with no thought at all, good or bad, about if this is how you should spend your
precious time on planet earth.
Many of us work so hard that the idea of taking a sabbatical
for a year or longer seems out of the question. Of course, finances are always
a concern for those of us infected with the wanderlust bug but mst times there is something you can do about it!
Making enough money to live on while saving enough for
adventure is always a challenge. But you
may be surprised how easy it is to make your travel dreams come true. If it is something you really desire I have found that there is always a way. It may require sacrifice but it can be done. Every
lifestyle is a balance and finding that balance will be the best way to jump start a nomadic lifestyle.
The Internet allows for productive sabbaticals or nomadic
lifestyles to be much more achievable for a growing number of professions. Even
a slacker can make YouTube videos about slacking for enough income to exist.
The point is, where there is a will there’s a way to make
your dreams come true. Travel has never been easier in terms of access to
travel information like finding cheapflights or good hotels, or for ways to
make a living on the road such as with travel blogging.
Here are five basic tips for aspiring nomads:
- Don’t wait. Do it while you’re young (ish). In other words, don’t wait until a retirement that may never come to travel or live abroad. Do it now, and figure out retirement later.
- Have a purpose. Besides wanting to see and experience cool things in foreign countries, you should use it as an opportunity to accomplish something, even if it’s merely an online photo blog of your treks. Learn something and be creative along your journey.
- Simplify your life. Here’s a big secret to nomadic lifestyles: you only need to own like five outfits and two pairs of shoes. Seriously. Anything more than that is not worth your trouble, or items can be picked up along your journey as situations may warrant. You’ll be surprised at how affordable it can be when your lifestyle doesn’t require a lot of stuff.
- Research your location and plan your route. Google has made us all a little lazy, thinking we can find instant answers to everything. But know this, the tighter your budget, the more research you should do for your destinations.
- Budget discipline. Keep your travel or nomad lifestyle budget relatively simple: think food, shelter, and transport. Remember, those also count as part of your entertainment. Determine the absolute minimum amount you need for each of these and then add your desired cushion based on preference for luxuries.
Living as digital nomads is an exciting lifestyle filled with rich experiences and unique challenges.
Our friends tend to think that our travel lifestyle is exotic and out of reach for them, mainly due to finances. While having a steady income is essential for nomads, living costs nearly anywhere in the world can be affordable depending on how you approach it.
As we have written about in the past, there are only three core expenses for digital nomads: lodging, food, and transportation. Believe it or not, this is much simpler than having house payments, car payments, insurances, utilities, maintenance costs, etc...
But within those three core expenses are nuances that must be well navigated to travel around the world on a limited budget.
For instance, you can walk into practically any hotel in Southeast Asia or Central America and pay for a week or the month for a reasonable rate that will include all utilities and maybe even breakfast. You can usually pay in cash or with a debit card, but it's also good to have back up credit cards just in case.
On the other hand, the cost for lodging in developed nations is much higher. This causes us to plan longer stays and look for good deals on vacation rental websites or house-sitting gigs. When we spring for larger apartments or homes, we save a great deal on food costs since we can cook it ourselves. All-in-all, we've been able to keep our total housing costs (food aside) to around $1500/month in every part of the world, including Hawaii, but excluding Australia.
So much of the enjoyment of travel is tasting the foods of different areas. Thankfully, this doesn't always have to be expensive. Affordable street vendors offering unique local cuisine exist in every corner of the world, and if you ask around the best ones will be quickly identified.
Also, grocery stores are prevalent anywhere, even in the third-world. Finding the basics for snacks and meals in foreign countries is almost as convenient as stopping in any quick mart around the corner from where you grew up.
As for budgeting for food; again, in "developing" nations you'll be able to eat more meals out at restaurants. In Cambodia, we ate all three meals out nearly every day.
Whereas in the developed nations, it's usually around $75 for five of us to eat out at a cheap place. So that doesn't go very far. Yet we can buy $200 in groceries that last us the whole week at one of the many mega food stores to choose from. Food is always a matter of preference and budget no matter where you are but we have found that eating local foods is a great way to experience the area better as well as save money.
Transportation is perhaps the most difficult expense to plan for when you're not sitting on a big savings account. International bus travel in Southeast Asia or Central America is a great inexpensive way to move around, but at some point airline tickets will be needed.
It's recommended to have a transportation fund for airline tickets tucked away to be able to jet home in case of an emergency. And it's wise to add what you can to it each month. This will prevent getting stuck in a region of the world that you're bored of or miss being able to leave if a family emergency arises and you want to be there to lend a helping hand.
We were stuck in Malaysia for a bit longer than we would have liked in order to save enough for a continental shift. It's not fun to wait around when you have itchy feet.
The final expense to transportation are travel visas. This takes a tremendous amount of planning to get the most of the costs and time allotted. This might be easier for the carefree lone backpacker but for a family of five the cost of border hopping is very real.
The cost to travel and get stamped in and out of new countries adds up quick for perpetual travelers. We always prefer to stay for the maximum that a visa allows which gives us plenty of time to explore several different areas of a particular country.
Ultimately traveling the world is possible on a limited budget. Sometimes you may sleep in a shack and sometimes you may be in a palace, but that just adds to the adventure.
Our friends tend to think that our travel lifestyle is exotic and out of reach for them, mainly due to finances. While having a steady income is essential for nomads, living costs nearly anywhere in the world can be affordable depending on how you approach it.
As we have written about in the past, there are only three core expenses for digital nomads: lodging, food, and transportation. Believe it or not, this is much simpler than having house payments, car payments, insurances, utilities, maintenance costs, etc...
But within those three core expenses are nuances that must be well navigated to travel around the world on a limited budget.
For instance, you can walk into practically any hotel in Southeast Asia or Central America and pay for a week or the month for a reasonable rate that will include all utilities and maybe even breakfast. You can usually pay in cash or with a debit card, but it's also good to have back up credit cards just in case.
On the other hand, the cost for lodging in developed nations is much higher. This causes us to plan longer stays and look for good deals on vacation rental websites or house-sitting gigs. When we spring for larger apartments or homes, we save a great deal on food costs since we can cook it ourselves. All-in-all, we've been able to keep our total housing costs (food aside) to around $1500/month in every part of the world, including Hawaii, but excluding Australia.
Also, grocery stores are prevalent anywhere, even in the third-world. Finding the basics for snacks and meals in foreign countries is almost as convenient as stopping in any quick mart around the corner from where you grew up.
As for budgeting for food; again, in "developing" nations you'll be able to eat more meals out at restaurants. In Cambodia, we ate all three meals out nearly every day.
Whereas in the developed nations, it's usually around $75 for five of us to eat out at a cheap place. So that doesn't go very far. Yet we can buy $200 in groceries that last us the whole week at one of the many mega food stores to choose from. Food is always a matter of preference and budget no matter where you are but we have found that eating local foods is a great way to experience the area better as well as save money.
Transportation is perhaps the most difficult expense to plan for when you're not sitting on a big savings account. International bus travel in Southeast Asia or Central America is a great inexpensive way to move around, but at some point airline tickets will be needed.
It's recommended to have a transportation fund for airline tickets tucked away to be able to jet home in case of an emergency. And it's wise to add what you can to it each month. This will prevent getting stuck in a region of the world that you're bored of or miss being able to leave if a family emergency arises and you want to be there to lend a helping hand.
We were stuck in Malaysia for a bit longer than we would have liked in order to save enough for a continental shift. It's not fun to wait around when you have itchy feet.
The final expense to transportation are travel visas. This takes a tremendous amount of planning to get the most of the costs and time allotted. This might be easier for the carefree lone backpacker but for a family of five the cost of border hopping is very real.
The cost to travel and get stamped in and out of new countries adds up quick for perpetual travelers. We always prefer to stay for the maximum that a visa allows which gives us plenty of time to explore several different areas of a particular country.
Ultimately traveling the world is possible on a limited budget. Sometimes you may sleep in a shack and sometimes you may be in a palace, but that just adds to the adventure.
I have been asked several times in the past few months IF I work. Now I understand it seems to the outside viewer that we are on permanent vacation and one of the first things they wonder is HOW we can afford it, but they are actually asking me this question THROUGH my website. I wonder how exactly they think it runs?
It made me realize that people love reading and following blogs but very few know exactly what it takes to make it successful. There are a lot, and I mean millions, of travel related blogs out there. Some are simply to keep their friends and family abreast of what they are doing, some are purely for profit, and most, like mine, are sort of a mix of both.
I started this blog to let people know what we are doing and to motivate people to know that this lifestyle is possible. I also wanted to share the knowledge that I have gained over the past decade to help people plan vacations. When I started it was a whirlwind of designing the blog, putting it together, adding and subtracting things we liked and didn’t like, and trying to learn the ins and outs of the travel blogging world.
After the first 6 months of researching, learning, reading, and connecting on social media sites I finally felt like I understood how it all works. At that point, as the blog gained a following, we decided to monetize it. We realized that we could still maintain a useful blog while at the same time making a little extra money.
I spend most of my time on day-to-day things like writing, social media, and emails. And, of course, the actual traveling bit so I have something to write about.
Research
Many hours are spent on research for travel. Where to head to next, trying to find the cheapest flights, searching for the best place to stay within our budget, things to do while we are there, etc. This is all part of blogging, as what we do we blog about!
If I were asked what the toughest part of constant travel was or what the toughest component to blogging is, I would answer research to both questions. I have a love hate relationship with it but at the end of the day it is a true necessity! I don't plan a lot as I think that hinders travel in a sense, but with 3 children and a limited budget we need to have a general idea of what we are doing!
Weekly time spent: On average 5-7 hours! (this varies depending on what we are doing)
Actual articles
Of course the main piece of work that goes into blogging is writing. If you want your blog to gain readers you will need good content that people can relate to and you should be posting several times a week. With 3 kids and constant moving I only post 1-2 times per week, but it should be slightly more in my opinion. I'm working on it..
Each post also takes more than just the time to write, which varies depending on the topic, at least for me. I always include photos, so there is the choosing and editing of each photo in order to give my readers the best I can. Then there is the tagging, editing, labelling, posting, sharing, etc. It is not uncommon for one article to take several hours spread out over multiple days.
Weekly time spent: On average 12 hours a week!
The money making bit
Making money is really my tertiary concern, but once we figured it out and started to make some it was certainly a welcome benefit. To make money I spent several hours a week emailing, contacting clients, drafting up posts, placing ads, and general organizational tasks to keep it all in order.
We also realized that we are helping advertise for free when we visit someplace and then blog about it. So I now contact a venue before we go, like Universal Studios in Singapore, and request tickets in exchange for online exposure. This also takes quite a bit of time as I need to draft up formal pitches explaining how and what I will offer and how exactly our visit can benefit them. Then I have to write, edit and add images to the post after we visit. But these “freebies” have been an unexpected benefit of writing about our adventures.
Weekly time spent: On average 8 hours a week!
Getting and keeping social followers
Social media is the bane of my travel blogging existence...there I said it! A huge part of gaining and keeping readers is of course through honest content, but after that it is social media engagement. Some will argue and rail against the entire thing but in my experience it matters!
Facebook and Twitter are where I have networked with fellow bloggers and learned so much. On top of that, the constant changes to Facebook and need to update and “post” keep me busy multiple times per day. To keep followers you need to keep active to hold their attention. It is more time consuming than you may think.
Weekly time spent: On average 8-12 hours per week!
There are many more little things that go into running a travel blog. I am not complaining at all, I love writing, taking pictures, sharing our adventures, inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones, and most of all traveling, but there is a lot of work to it. I make my own schedule and even though I typically spend 25-40 hours a week on the blog it is my choice to make and my timeframe to follow. I wouldn’t have it any other way…most days!
For those of you out there thinking of becoming a travel blogger, I say go for it! But keep in mind all the time that goes into it, you really need to love traveling and writing to make it work!
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| Sometimes travel blogging is this peaceful......but not usually....it IS work! |
I started this blog to let people know what we are doing and to motivate people to know that this lifestyle is possible. I also wanted to share the knowledge that I have gained over the past decade to help people plan vacations. When I started it was a whirlwind of designing the blog, putting it together, adding and subtracting things we liked and didn’t like, and trying to learn the ins and outs of the travel blogging world.
After the first 6 months of researching, learning, reading, and connecting on social media sites I finally felt like I understood how it all works. At that point, as the blog gained a following, we decided to monetize it. We realized that we could still maintain a useful blog while at the same time making a little extra money.
I spend most of my time on day-to-day things like writing, social media, and emails. And, of course, the actual traveling bit so I have something to write about.
Research
Many hours are spent on research for travel. Where to head to next, trying to find the cheapest flights, searching for the best place to stay within our budget, things to do while we are there, etc. This is all part of blogging, as what we do we blog about!
If I were asked what the toughest part of constant travel was or what the toughest component to blogging is, I would answer research to both questions. I have a love hate relationship with it but at the end of the day it is a true necessity! I don't plan a lot as I think that hinders travel in a sense, but with 3 children and a limited budget we need to have a general idea of what we are doing!
Weekly time spent: On average 5-7 hours! (this varies depending on what we are doing)
Actual articles
Of course the main piece of work that goes into blogging is writing. If you want your blog to gain readers you will need good content that people can relate to and you should be posting several times a week. With 3 kids and constant moving I only post 1-2 times per week, but it should be slightly more in my opinion. I'm working on it..
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| Taking and editing photos is another part of writing articles that takes a lot of time! |
Weekly time spent: On average 12 hours a week!
The money making bit
Making money is really my tertiary concern, but once we figured it out and started to make some it was certainly a welcome benefit. To make money I spent several hours a week emailing, contacting clients, drafting up posts, placing ads, and general organizational tasks to keep it all in order.
We also realized that we are helping advertise for free when we visit someplace and then blog about it. So I now contact a venue before we go, like Universal Studios in Singapore, and request tickets in exchange for online exposure. This also takes quite a bit of time as I need to draft up formal pitches explaining how and what I will offer and how exactly our visit can benefit them. Then I have to write, edit and add images to the post after we visit. But these “freebies” have been an unexpected benefit of writing about our adventures.
Weekly time spent: On average 8 hours a week!
Getting and keeping social followers
Social media is the bane of my travel blogging existence...there I said it! A huge part of gaining and keeping readers is of course through honest content, but after that it is social media engagement. Some will argue and rail against the entire thing but in my experience it matters!
Facebook and Twitter are where I have networked with fellow bloggers and learned so much. On top of that, the constant changes to Facebook and need to update and “post” keep me busy multiple times per day. To keep followers you need to keep active to hold their attention. It is more time consuming than you may think.
Weekly time spent: On average 8-12 hours per week!
There are many more little things that go into running a travel blog. I am not complaining at all, I love writing, taking pictures, sharing our adventures, inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones, and most of all traveling, but there is a lot of work to it. I make my own schedule and even though I typically spend 25-40 hours a week on the blog it is my choice to make and my timeframe to follow. I wouldn’t have it any other way…most days!
For those of you out there thinking of becoming a travel blogger, I say go for it! But keep in mind all the time that goes into it, you really need to love traveling and writing to make it work!
From the chaotic streets in large cities to the rustic simplicity in the countryside, Southeast Asia has so much to offer in regards to adventure. However, there are also a few locations that blend local culture with Western comforts and these places tend to be the biggest draw for foreign expats who plan to stay for extended periods of time.
Digital nomads, like ourselves, typically like to find a place for a few months that provides certain qualities that make living in a foreign country as comfortable as possible given the natural challenges.
First, we need good reliable Internet which can be found just about anywhere these days, although costs and speed will vary. Next, we desire a reasonably modern and affordable furnished apartment or condo-hotel. And, although we prefer not to admit it, we like a level of comfort which includes access to good grocery stores with some imported foods, a decent selection of restaurants, and easy transportation.
We prefer to be in a location that is rich with activities without being too crowded or cramped with people. In other words, big cities are fun to visit and explore, but not for 3-6 month stints. We like the medium-to-small cities with plenty to offer, but with a manageable landscape.
Finally, there are language and visa challenges in these countries as well. Some areas, English may be spoken sparsely or have more costly visa requirements to stay for 3 months or longer.
This criteria excludes many travel-worthy locations. One can surely enjoy and work remotely for several months in more rustic locations or large cities in Southeast Asia, but four places really stand out in terms of what they offer digital nomads.
Chiang Mai (Thailand): Chiang Mai is the sixth largest city in Thailand and very popular among expats -- for good reason. The clean city's northern climate is a bit more comfortable than Bangkok and it is easily navigable, even without a car. Services are first world, and accommodations and restaurants are plenty. There is a modern mall with one of the area's large grocery stores. Cultural events and street markets are abundant, and several must-see attractions are close enough for a day trip. Chiang Mai also has a world class zoo. Thailand offers a double-entry visa that cost $60 per person and is good for 4 months (requiring a border run after 2 months). Chiang Mai is an easy over-night train ride from Bangkok, but also has its own international airport. Significantly, Chiang Mai is the least expensive city on this list.
Penang (Malaysia): Dubbed the "Pearl of Asia", the island Penang in Malaysia offers everything a digital nomad could desire. The traditional Asian flare of the busy streets of Georgetown give way to modern apartment buildings, high-end subdivisions, and shopping centers along the well-kept coastal road toward Batu Ferringhi. Penang is more of a melting pot of cultures with Mulsim, Chinese, Indian, and Western influences, distinctive from other areas in Southeast Asia. Incredible authentic restaurants are available in nearly every neighborhood, and the shopping ranges from nightly hawker stalls to palace-like modern malls. Malaysia offers free 90-day visas to most Westerners that can be renewed with a simple border run, making it an excellent place to spend extended periods of time.
Phuket (Thailand): Phuket is the largest beach city in Thailand and one of the most popular tourist areas in the country. It's a gateway city to many exotic and more private resort islands in the area. From the seedy colonial flavor of the old part of the city to the newer developments that span the outskirts, Phuket is a blend of authenticity and modernity. Because of heavy tourism, many terrific restaurants and rental villas can be found. However, as a tourist attraction, prices are higher in Phuket than the two previous towns on this list. Phuket has a modern mall and good grocery stores, as well as first-world Internet and other services. You will also have to get the $60 double-entry visa to Thailand to enjoy an extended trip to Phuket and expect to pay a bit more for attractions, taxis, and accommodations.
Singapore: Singapore is an ultra modern and clean city with all the amenities one can imagine. Okay, this is a big city, but its cleanliness, safety, and comparatively light traffic give it a smaller feel than it actually is. There is high-speed internet everywhere, excellent public transportation, and countless restaurants and grocery markets. The city offers many exciting attractions for occupying your free time, but everything in Singapore comes a high cost. If you're a digital nomad with a healthy income, Singapore is an excellent place to drop anchor for a few months to explore all that the city has to offer. Most Westerners get a free 30-day visa upon entry and you may extend your "social visit" to 90-days for $40 SD.
Some of our friends and readers are envious of our lifestyle as digital nomads. Many ask how we were able to do it. The biggest question we've gotten is how we afford it, which we've addressed in an article about our occupation and another article about our expenses.
The freedom we have to travel or live anywhere seems exotic and exciting to most suburbanites. Admittedly, it is pretty awesome, but it's not without challenges and sacrifices. And these challenges extend beyond finances.
Our dream to break free from the rat race didn't happen overnight either. It took years of planning and more years of action to prepare for such an independent lifestyle.
Because we continue to get inquiries about how to transition into becoming a digital nomad, we felt it necessary to outline some of the obstacles we had to overcome to make this dream come true.
Career: Since we did not want to wait until we were old and retired to have this adventure, we had to figure out a way to make money from anywhere in the world. This is possible for anyone who has even the most basic computer skills, but it required planning, goal setting, tons of research, discipline, and lots of hard work. Others may be lucky to find a 'job' that allows them to telecommute. In either case, transitioning from a normal career to becoming a digital nomad is a challenge. But it is a transition well worth doing!
House: A lot people feel trapped by their mortgage, especially now that home prices in many areas are less than what is owed to the bank. We were lucky enough to sell our home in 2006 right before the real estate collapse in the US. However, we know MANY digital nomads that simply walked away from their underwater homes to discover a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Worrying about a damaged credit score is not worth a life of perpetual servitude. If you can't sell or rent your home out to achieve your travel dreams, don't be afraid to say goodbye to a life on credit.
Bills: Bills are another false fear that keeps us locked into our jobs. Yes, car payments, insurance, credit cards, food, electric bills, cable TV, and so on are all real, but fear of them is an illusion. Further, all of these bills can be reduced. It's simply a choice about what is important to you, and only you can make that decision. For us, we got rid of credit cards, downsized to one car that was paid for, planned our grocery trips in detail, etc. Now as digital nomads, we don't own a car and only have our basic living and travel expenses to be concerned with, but we do spring for a budget car hire from time to time.
Stuff: Along the same lines as bills, living as digital nomads doesn't require lots of stuff. We got rid of many things we once thought were important and now we literally own only what we can carry. We don't regret it. It's quite liberating to simplify in this way. We got rid of TVs, unneeded appliances, clothing, shoes, toys, books, and even boxes of sentimental knickknacks. It seems scary, but if you sit down with each item and ask yourself how it benefits your everyday life you usually will see that most "things" don't offer much benefit at all. Keep the things that do and donate the rest! Go slow, it can be a tough emotional process.
Schooling: Thinking of living a travel lifestyle with kids can be daunting. Leaving a good school district can be very difficult for some parents in pursuit of the unknown whether it be homeschooling or foreign schools. You just have to trust that the rich experience you'll be giving to your kids is worth every bit as much as the good school district could give them, if not more. There is always a trade off in life. To pursue a nomadic life means that sports and cub scouts may not be a possibility, but elephant rides and global awareness are possible. It's all about what the priorities are for each individual family.
Family & Friends: Leaving family and friends can be very painful. But you're not dying, you're just going on an adventure. Furthermore, the cure for homesickness is available to everyone that has a computer or smart phone, so just about everyone these days. The Internet provides all of the cheap communication we need to video chat with loved ones from anywhere. Also when we assimilate into new surroundings, we meet new and amazing people who we'd never know existed without traveling the world.
Gear & Knowledge: Leaving your familiar life to become a digital nomad requires a lot of planning. Luckily there are many people out there, right now, doing the very same thing and writing about it in order to make the process easier and more inviting for you. Plan out the basic structure of your first few months but don't be too rigid, leave open the possibilities to take people up on their suggestions along the way. You'll also need to purchase some basic travel gear that makes your trekking as comfortable as possible. First try to decide what type of travel you are looking to do, then research how others do it, read their packing lists to give you an idea of what you may want to purchase, and hope for the best. You can always research more or buy things along the way.
Worries & Doubts: Perhaps the biggest obstacle of them all are the worries that go through our minds. Worries about all the things listed here and more. Doubts about whether this is a sane decision or not. I am not going to pretend that changing your life in such a big way is no big deal, it is a big deal and it's normal to have some worries and doubts. The trick is to recognize them as irrational and know that in the end you can always turn your life around yet again to work better for your situation. Nothing is permanent so push the worries aside and focus on all the amazing things you will be seeing and doing.
Naysayers: No matter how hard you try (and I suggest you stop even trying) you will never please everyone all of the time. In making a big life transition, that falls outside of the box of conventional ways to live your life, there will be many people telling you exactly how awful they think your decision is. It can be difficult to deal with especially when you are starting out and maybe having doubts of your own. The way we deal with it is to be honest and have thoughtful responses ready for any inquiry. Let them know that you aren't sure it will be the best thing ever, but you won't have to live with any regret that you didn't at least give it a shot!
Stability & Security: Security is something we all need, but it is also one of those things that is just a state of mind. What is the difference in having enough income to support a roof over your head and food on the table in America versus a roof over your head in Malaysia? The answer is, nothing. There's no difference. Everyone's level of security is different, but it's smart to maintain a nest egg that is for emergencies. Perhaps it is enough money to return to your home country if things don't work out, or enough money to jump to a different location that may provide more comforts, etc. Additionally, for peace of mind, health insurance and other medical considerations should be figured out prior to becoming a nomad. These are real issues but nothing that cannot be overcome.
There are many mental blocks to starting a new life as a digital nomad, these are just the most prevalent ones. But most of those blocks are in our minds only and simply require making the decision to let it go and let your true priorities rule your mental space. The best advice I can give is to follow your passion, research as much as you can before leaving, and go for it!
The freedom we have to travel or live anywhere seems exotic and exciting to most suburbanites. Admittedly, it is pretty awesome, but it's not without challenges and sacrifices. And these challenges extend beyond finances.
Our dream to break free from the rat race didn't happen overnight either. It took years of planning and more years of action to prepare for such an independent lifestyle.
Because we continue to get inquiries about how to transition into becoming a digital nomad, we felt it necessary to outline some of the obstacles we had to overcome to make this dream come true.
Career: Since we did not want to wait until we were old and retired to have this adventure, we had to figure out a way to make money from anywhere in the world. This is possible for anyone who has even the most basic computer skills, but it required planning, goal setting, tons of research, discipline, and lots of hard work. Others may be lucky to find a 'job' that allows them to telecommute. In either case, transitioning from a normal career to becoming a digital nomad is a challenge. But it is a transition well worth doing!
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| Get out of the rat race now! |
Bills: Bills are another false fear that keeps us locked into our jobs. Yes, car payments, insurance, credit cards, food, electric bills, cable TV, and so on are all real, but fear of them is an illusion. Further, all of these bills can be reduced. It's simply a choice about what is important to you, and only you can make that decision. For us, we got rid of credit cards, downsized to one car that was paid for, planned our grocery trips in detail, etc. Now as digital nomads, we don't own a car and only have our basic living and travel expenses to be concerned with, but we do spring for a budget car hire from time to time.
Stuff: Along the same lines as bills, living as digital nomads doesn't require lots of stuff. We got rid of many things we once thought were important and now we literally own only what we can carry. We don't regret it. It's quite liberating to simplify in this way. We got rid of TVs, unneeded appliances, clothing, shoes, toys, books, and even boxes of sentimental knickknacks. It seems scary, but if you sit down with each item and ask yourself how it benefits your everyday life you usually will see that most "things" don't offer much benefit at all. Keep the things that do and donate the rest! Go slow, it can be a tough emotional process.
Schooling: Thinking of living a travel lifestyle with kids can be daunting. Leaving a good school district can be very difficult for some parents in pursuit of the unknown whether it be homeschooling or foreign schools. You just have to trust that the rich experience you'll be giving to your kids is worth every bit as much as the good school district could give them, if not more. There is always a trade off in life. To pursue a nomadic life means that sports and cub scouts may not be a possibility, but elephant rides and global awareness are possible. It's all about what the priorities are for each individual family.
Family & Friends: Leaving family and friends can be very painful. But you're not dying, you're just going on an adventure. Furthermore, the cure for homesickness is available to everyone that has a computer or smart phone, so just about everyone these days. The Internet provides all of the cheap communication we need to video chat with loved ones from anywhere. Also when we assimilate into new surroundings, we meet new and amazing people who we'd never know existed without traveling the world.
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| Some of my best friends I have met while traveling! |
Worries & Doubts: Perhaps the biggest obstacle of them all are the worries that go through our minds. Worries about all the things listed here and more. Doubts about whether this is a sane decision or not. I am not going to pretend that changing your life in such a big way is no big deal, it is a big deal and it's normal to have some worries and doubts. The trick is to recognize them as irrational and know that in the end you can always turn your life around yet again to work better for your situation. Nothing is permanent so push the worries aside and focus on all the amazing things you will be seeing and doing.
Naysayers: No matter how hard you try (and I suggest you stop even trying) you will never please everyone all of the time. In making a big life transition, that falls outside of the box of conventional ways to live your life, there will be many people telling you exactly how awful they think your decision is. It can be difficult to deal with especially when you are starting out and maybe having doubts of your own. The way we deal with it is to be honest and have thoughtful responses ready for any inquiry. Let them know that you aren't sure it will be the best thing ever, but you won't have to live with any regret that you didn't at least give it a shot!
Stability & Security: Security is something we all need, but it is also one of those things that is just a state of mind. What is the difference in having enough income to support a roof over your head and food on the table in America versus a roof over your head in Malaysia? The answer is, nothing. There's no difference. Everyone's level of security is different, but it's smart to maintain a nest egg that is for emergencies. Perhaps it is enough money to return to your home country if things don't work out, or enough money to jump to a different location that may provide more comforts, etc. Additionally, for peace of mind, health insurance and other medical considerations should be figured out prior to becoming a nomad. These are real issues but nothing that cannot be overcome.
There are many mental blocks to starting a new life as a digital nomad, these are just the most prevalent ones. But most of those blocks are in our minds only and simply require making the decision to let it go and let your true priorities rule your mental space. The best advice I can give is to follow your passion, research as much as you can before leaving, and go for it!
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The Wireless Generation takes a look at some of the pioneers of this alternative lifestyle of permanent adventure. View the trailer below and visit their KickStarter fundraiser to help them get to Sundance and distribute the film.
Starting January 1, 2014, anyone who has the means must purchase health care insurance or face a penalty.
Companies that employee 50 or more people will have to offer an insurance plan. Any individual who receives insurance through their employer and pays over 9.5% of their salary in premiums can choose to buy optional state-run health insurance. This is also offered to people whose insurance covers less than 60% of the cost.
There are provisions made for those who do not earn more than 400 percent of the set poverty level, face financial hardships or based on religious beliefs.
For those expatriated who live abroad, the mandate for obtaining United States-based health insurance plans does not apply to you if you live outside of the US for more than 330 days out of the year. Instead, the IRS new tax code will treat expatriates as though they maintain the minimum required health coverage.
To qualify, you must be eligible for the foreign earned income exclusion. This exclusion lets US expatriates skip paying taxes on up to $91,500 of their income. You will still have to pay taxes on any income that exceeds this level. This includes the Medicare tax, which the new bill has also mandated an increase of one-half of one percent for anyone earning more than $200,000 as an individual or $250,000 jointly.
That means the percentage you will be paying for Medicare will increase from 2.9% to 3.4% of annual income. The Medicare tax has no cap, so no matter your income, you have to pay it.
There is a chance that the insurance coverage you purchase in the country of your residence will not be of use when you travel to the United States, so you might want to look into purchasing additional supplemental coverage anytime you are planning a trip back to the US so that you know you are covered for any emergencies or health issues on your travels.
If you are living the life of a nomadic traveler, it is important to purchase holiday insurance that is recognized as a credible coverage in the United States in order to meet the requirements of having insurance and avoid the penalty.
There are many providers that offer international health insurance plans that will cover you wherever you travel as well as back in the United States. Companies include HTH, Cigna and Blue Cross, as well as many others.
Be sure that you are purchasing a plan that gives you full coverage while you are abroad instead of just a travel insurance plan that only covers emergency visits to the hospital. But note that hese plans will not be effective once you set foot back in America so they will not be viewed as credible health coverage.
Image Credit: Red Cross - Wikimedia Commons
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I started writing this article a few days ago not knowing I would be blessed with an immediate reminder of my love-hate relationship with Paypal.
The problems seem to arise when you try to get your money out or if your transactions exceed some arbitrary limit, or a host of other reasons. One of the worst things about Paypal besides its service and the fact that accounts can be blocked is how much it charges for foreign currency transfers. Obviously a huge problem when living in other countries. The bottom line is that you will pay up to 4% in fees. 4%, that is a lot over a year! View this comparison of Transferwise vs Paypal and see for yourself.
Of course these issues can be fixed somewhat by getting "Verified" which entails tying your Paypal account to your personal bank account with debit card information and/or credit card info, your social security number, and a DNA sample of your firstborn. Okay, I made the last one up.
But it's not too far off from what Paypal actually knows about your past. It's understandable for security purposes why a financial services company would need as much intimate bank information possible. Yet,the issue of privacy is of some concern.
First, I despise financial institutions. I think a strong case can be made that they are the root of all evil, literally.
The sad reality is that we still rely on them. For those of us who make our money online, Paypal is essential. It's simply a necessity for digital nomads like ourselves.
Paypal, in theory, is easy to use. Just sign up and put in an email address to use as your payment address. and transfer money to people by simply entering their email address and your done. It allows us to easily process borderless payments in any currency. It's brilliant!
The sad reality is that we still rely on them. For those of us who make our money online, Paypal is essential. It's simply a necessity for digital nomads like ourselves.
Paypal, in theory, is easy to use. Just sign up and put in an email address to use as your payment address. and transfer money to people by simply entering their email address and your done. It allows us to easily process borderless payments in any currency. It's brilliant!
The problems seem to arise when you try to get your money out or if your transactions exceed some arbitrary limit, or a host of other reasons. One of the worst things about Paypal besides its service and the fact that accounts can be blocked is how much it charges for foreign currency transfers. Obviously a huge problem when living in other countries. The bottom line is that you will pay up to 4% in fees. 4%, that is a lot over a year! View this comparison of Transferwise vs Paypal and see for yourself.
Of course these issues can be fixed somewhat by getting "Verified" which entails tying your Paypal account to your personal bank account with debit card information and/or credit card info, your social security number, and a DNA sample of your firstborn. Okay, I made the last one up.
But it's not too far off from what Paypal actually knows about your past. It's understandable for security purposes why a financial services company would need as much intimate bank information possible. Yet,the issue of privacy is of some concern.
I mean they knew stuff about us from 20 years ago. When they gave me a multiple choice test to verify who I was over the phone, I failed.
What can I say, besides having a bad memory, I was a bit shocked that they even knew my rental addresses in California from 17 years ago or the names of random LLCs I set up when I bought and sold real estate nearly a decade ago. I was actually sweating during the exam like a witness on the stand. So, I failed, and promptly asked to speak to a supervisor.
As a side note, everyone I have dealt with on the phone at Paypal has been extremely courteous and professional and managed to restore my account, temporarily anyways.
"The constant freezing of my account to preempt fraud is really freaking annoying," I tell the supervisor. "How about I just notify you if I suspect suspicious activity? That would be enough fraud protection for me if that can get this account working smoothly?" I ask.
They told me it was probably because we log in from different IP addresses during our travels or when we log in from a different computer, and not from suspicious transfers or limit requirements.
"Great!", I said. "Just set it to not recognize different IP addresses as fraud, and I will be the first to notify you if anything appears out of the ordinary."
Nope, not gonna do it.
"You have to be located inside your home at the address registered to your account for us to give you that option," she told me gently sensing my disappointment knowing that I was calling from Cambodia.
I'm thinking, ohh that's right, you still haven't you verified who I am yet even though I had to say my account information and the secret code you gave me one number at a time to a freaking computer for ten minutes just for the privilege to speak to a human.
So the supervisor asks me another series of multiple choice questions with yet more older-than-a-decade random addresses and LLCs probably linked to my social security number that they likely ran through some government database without my permission.
But this time, calm and prepared, I aced the test. My account was once again restored in all its previous glory and I swiftly withdrew my current balance to my small-town savings bank account.
Ultimately, we love and require Paypal's services, so we must comply. But it doesn't mean I can't complain about their privacy policies and God complex to limit access to our funds.
The quotes above are to the best of my recollection, but Paypal assured me they have the recording stored along with the rest of my entire financial history -- and the DNA of my firstborn;).
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One of the last things most bloggers learn is search engine optimization (SEO). It's seems intimidating and complicated to beginners. But there truly isn't much mystery to it and it's vital for any ambitious blogger to learn if you have hopes of sustained traffic and income.
Our travel blog is still relatively young, just shy of one year old. Yet, thanks to our loyal readers and some super targeted SEO, we are already the fifth ranked "family travel blog" on Google.
We are also lucky enough to rank high for other very desirable search terms. This doesn't happen by accident especially with a new blog. There are many techniques to improve your travel blog's ranking on search engines.
There's a great e-book that teaches everything new bloggers need to know about SEO for blogs. I highly recommend these techniques since we used them at this travel blog with amazing results -- and it's FREE!
SEO For Bloggers is a concise 20-page guide that includes the following sections:
- What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
- What are Keywords?
- How to Research Keywords
- How to Use Keywords in Your Blog
- 12 Tips to Write Killer Blog Titles
- Targeting Keywords in Backlinks
- Dos and Don’ts After Google’s Recent Update
- Stay Relevant
- Advanced SEO Techniques for Pros
Get your FREE SEO For Bloggers Ebook here.
Everyone wants to know how we pay for this independent nomadic lifestyle, so I felt compelled to write this post as part of a group writing project to help others discover how they can realize their dreams.
We are commonly referred to as "digital nomads". Digital nomadism is a relatively new concept where people, like us, use the Internet to make an income that permits us to live a bohemian lifestyle. We are also known as mobile bohemians (mobos) or location independent professionals (LIP).
Digital nomads typically make money online as freelance writers and bloggers, photographers or artists, web developers, software geeks, affiliate marketers, graphic artists, and many other types of Web commuters and entrepreneurs. Digital nomads usually can work anywhere as long as they have a computer and Internet access.
In our case, we make our living by blogging. We write about things we're passionate about and post them to free blogs that we maintain, which means we have no boss to answer to, no set schedule, and generally no rules to follow.
But that does not mean we get to slack off or be lazy. Okay, maybe we get more free time than the average worker bee, but we still must be disciplined to earn enough money to live on and to travel the world. Granted, we've also adjusted ourselves to live quite simply in order to be able to afford a nomadic lifestyle (See our breakdown of our nomadic travel expenses).
The fantastic thing about blogging is that literally anyone can do it, from anywhere in the world. All of the tools and resources are available for free. All you need is passion for your niche, a laptop, internet, and some know-how. However, just because it's free and easy to set up and anyone can do it, doesn't mean success will happen overnight.
Well before this hobby family travel blog, we spent many long hours working on other blogs; learning about techniques to write good content, to get traffic and search engine recognition, and ultimately how to make money from blogging. It took about three years to get to where we are today.
In hindsight, it would have been much easier if we got a good book about blogging instead of learning through trial and error. We could have significantly sped up our plans to live as digital nomads if the knowledge was spoon fed to us. (See this link for the best book about blogging)
But now that we have the knowledge to make money with free blogs, it's fairly easy to set up new ones and make them successful. The key is finding a niche that you will enjoy writing about whether it's your travel adventures, your hobby, your professional expertise, or any topic that offers valuable or entertaining content to your audience.
And that's also perhaps the most rewarding part of blogging for a living, getting paid to rant about things we're passionate about, from travel to even something like dogs. It's certainly much more fulfilling than working some random job, for somebody else, just to pay the bills.
If you're like everyone else we meet, you probably want to know precisely 'how do you blog for money?'
Well there's no quick answer for that, but the basic ways to monetize a blog are with ads that pay you when a reader clicks on it, ads that lead to a product that the reader buys and you get a commission, advertisers that rent space on your blog, by writing sponsored posts or reviews, or by hosting a store of some kind.
All of those ways to make money are fairly easy to set up and manage but, first, you must get some traffic to your blog by building a following. This will primarily come from producing enjoyable content that you share far and wide, but there are also some proven techniques to improve your blog's search engine optimization (SEO) and traffic.
Successful blogging is as simple as following a formula. Although nearly any blog has the potential to make some money, if you want a full time income, you'll have to treat your blogs like a business and put in the time to build it up.
Even if you don't have plans to make a full-time living from blogging, you should start one just to learn a new skill and to have your own webpage where you aggregate your interests -- a sort of homebase for your internet activity.
For us, we couldn't be more grateful to have discovered this path to provide our independent lifestyle. Blogging allows us to work in our underwear, any time of day or night, on a beach in Costa Rica or on a secluded island in Malaysia. We recommend blogging to anyone seeking freedom from the rat race.
And remember that if you’re travelling & working some countries require you to have certain documents to work, America has their social security, the UK has National insurance cards & India requires you to get a Pan Card from www.pan-card.org.in/.
To see how some other traveling families make it work financially check out the families below:
Gabi Klaf at The Nomadic Family http://thenomadicfamily.com/2012/06/you-would-die-if-you-knew-just-how-rich-we-are
Molly From South America Living http://www.southamericaliving.com/nine-years-living-abroad-how-weve-funded-our-travels-6/
Molly From South America Living http://www.southamericaliving.com/nine-years-living-abroad-how-weve-funded-our-travels-6/
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I must state upfront that if our children desire a profession that requires college, of course we will encourage and support them to follow their dreams. However, they will definitely know the consequences versus the benefits.
First, let's examine the traditional path that was ingrained in all of us.
Do your homework. Get good grades. Go to a good college. Get a job. Work for 45-plus years to pay off all debts. Save for your kid's college and your retirement. Play by the rules. Success will be yours.
Sound familiar?
I understand that for some people college will be a necessary step in pursuing their dreams. For instance, those who want to become certified doctors in the US must study at an American Medical Association approved university.
But first they should ask themselves "why" they want to be a doctor.
Is it to help people? To make a nice income? Is it for prestige among family and peers? Then, it may be wise to ponder if becoming a doctor is the best way to accomplish those goals. Certainly there must be other ways to help people, make good money, and gain respect from loved ones without accruing a quarter-million dollar debt before working life begins, right?
Either way, college may be necessary for some to achieve their dreams. But let’s be sure our children know that there are other paths, other innovative ways to attain their goals, and certainly other ways to spend 4-8 of the best years of their lives.
Here are eight reasons why college will not be encouraged in our household:
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Why does a nursing student need four more years of English Lit or Algebra? Likewise, why would a business major have any need for Anatomy and Physiology? I know, I know, back to that whole college-is-teaching-kids-to-think argument. Or maybe the “well-rounded” school of thought? I don’t buy it. After 13 years of schooling prior to college, most subjects outside of a degree's focus seem to be a waste of time and money.
Additionally, the world is changing at lightening-fast speed, but the education system is still moving at a snail's pace. At the exponential rate of change in science and technology, by the time someone graduates from 4-6 years of college what they were forced to learn the first couple of years is most likely obsolete, requiring even more schooling. What a racket!
What's more, with a smartphone and Internet, all of the world's knowledge is literally in the palm of our hand. Incidentally, advanced knowledge is not confined to the brick-and-mortar walls of universities anymore.
2. Horrible Job Market
In this poor economic climate where America's job market has entered a prolonged drought, college graduates are no longer guaranteed a job. In fact, only 53% of recent college graduates in the U.S. have full-time employment. And even global youth unemployment has been labeled a "crisis".
According to the New York Times analysis of recent unemployment numbers:
Employment rates for new college graduates have fallen sharply in the last two years, as have starting salaries for those who can find work. What’s more, only half of the jobs landed by these new graduates even require a college degree, reviving debates about whether higher education is 'worth it' after all.So, the myth that kids must attend college to get a job is proven false. Kids today need more than the standard education to stand out in a crowded field of cookie-cutter graduates.
The cost of going to college versus the benefits make it a terrible investment. Entrepreneur James Altucher breaks down the numbers quite accurately:
The average tuition cost is approximately $16,000 per year. Plus assume another $10,000 in living costs, books, etc. $26,000 in total for a complete cost of $104,000 in a 4 year period. Some people choose to go more expensive by going to a private college and some people choose to go a little cheaper by going public but this is an average. Also, a huge assumption is that its just for a 4 year period. According to the Department of Education, only 54% of undergraduates graduate within 6 years. So for the 46% that don’t graduate, or take 10 years to graduate, this is a horrible investment. But lets assume your children are in the brilliant first half who finish within six years (and hopefully within four).
Is it worth it? First, let’s look at it completely from a monetary perspective. Over the course of a lifetime, according to CollegeBoard, a college graduate can be expected to earn $800,000 more than his counterpart that didn’t go to college. $800,000 is a big spread and it could potentially separate the haves from the have-nots. But who has and who doesn’t?
If I took that $104,000 and I chose to invest it in a savings account that had interest income of 5% per year I’d end up with an extra $1.4 million dollars over a 50 year period. A full $600,000 more. That $600,000 is a lot of extra money an 18 year old could look forward to in her retirement. I also think the $800,000 quoted above is too high. Right now most motivated kids who have the interest and resources to go to college think it’s the only way to go if they want a good job. If those same kids decided to not go to college my guess is they would quickly close the gap on that $800,000 spread.There is not much more to say. It's is a bad investment for parents, and student loans seem financially irresponsible as a burden to place on our children before they start their professional life.
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As the cost of living continues to outpace pay increases, it's difficult enough just to survive week to week, let alone get ahead financially. When young people begin their adult lives saddled with hundreds of thousands of debt, it almost ensures that they will be locked into a lifetime of debt serfdom. In other words, they'll be trapped into working whatever job they can find just to pay this obligation regardless of their passions. Add on the pressure and manufactured prestige of "owning" a home, having a nice car, starting a family or dressing a certain way, and you have all the makings of wasting a life trying to pay for these things. I'm not sure this was part of the original American Dream, but, sadly, it is indisputably what it has become. Surely, there are more fulfilling ways to spend our limited time on this planet than running on the same hamster wheel our entire lives.
5. Knowledge is Free
It's important to highlight the difference between school and knowledge. These things do not go hand in hand. Many people go to college and never achieve any useful knowledge, while many people who never attend school are some of the wisest and most successful people in the world.
In the 1700s, knowledge was limited to those with the resources to buy books, or those who could afford to send their kids to school (most stayed home to work the family trade). Ben Franklin understood that in order to have a level playing field in society, everyone must have access to knowledge. So he founded the first public library in America (which later became the University of Pennsylvania). Now that the Internet acts as a global open-source library and is giving away knowledge, everyone has the ability to learn about what they're most interested in for free.
No need to waste money just to get a piece of paper saying you “officially have gained knowledge”. What is the goal; the piece of paper, or the actual knowledge? If it is the knowledge, as I hope it should be, then college is not the most efficient way to reach that goal anymore.
To all those who said they had the time of their life in college, I ask, "Couldn't you get drunk and flirt with the opposite sex without college?" We likely had the time of our lives because we were young, healthy, carefree and it was the first time we were out of our parents' control. College just happened to be the place where we lived this experience. But it's a tall price to pay, since all of those factors don't change in the absence of college.
Furthermore, how many of you went to college purely out of obligation? My parents never gave me the option, even though, in retrospect, I wasn't mature enough to appreciate my overpriced education. So, I dropped (flunked) out. It wasn't until later in life when I knew what I wanted to be, that I began to appreciate school. Then, I got straight A's in route to becoming a Registered Nurse.
In these most amazing years of life, transitioning from child to adult, imagine what could be experienced or achieved when you're not locked in a dorm out of obligation (See the countless alternatives to college in my final point). Finally, college will always be there for your kids no matter when and if they decide to go.
7. Limited Life Choices
Many people that we meet say they're envious of our permanent travel lifestyle, but they feel too trapped by financial obligations to attempt an alternative lifestyle. This is the result of the debt serfdom cycle explained earlier that begins with student loans. Because of the debts incurred while at college, and a host of other reasons, many young adults end up limiting their options in life. We are usually told the opposite, but once a student commits to a certain major they may feel obligated to only pursue that career even if it falls out of favor with them. Most kids usually don't know what they want at 18 years old.
Life should be a collection of experiences, not a collection of shiny trinkets that mean nothing on our deathbeds. If we seek a life outside of the proverbial box -- a life of travel, of passion, of adventure, of independence -- then societal pressures and college debt become a prison that locks us into a narrow range of experiences. Once we step out of the box and realize this, the floodgates of alternatives to the "normal" path open wide.
8. Countless Alternatives
This is the other side of the story that parents aren't supposed to see, or even contemplate for their kids. First, it begins with wanting something for your child that's far more important than societal success -- happiness! This can only be achieved if we allow our children to live their passions. After all, this life is theirs for the making, and we view our job as a guide to help them follow their own path, not to dictate some societal fantasy.
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So what alternatives are available instead of going to college? First, they can take online courses through OpenCourseware or iTunes if they want to accrue college credits. They can learn a skill by becoming an apprentice. They can volunteer for a charity or even a big company to learn about how those organizations work. They can travel by picking up odd jobs along the way (or obtaining ESL certificate to teach English abroad). They can start a business, a nonprofit organization, or monetize a blog. They can find a mentor or become a self-taught expert in whatever field that moves them. They can create something beautiful; art, music, handmade crafts, write a book, or build something. This list is endless, and they will gain great knowledge with each of these examples and more.
Finally, they can just get a part-time job and enjoy their carefree youth until they discover their passion. We must stop assuming that a "lack of direction" equals failure. It doesn't; not if they're happy. We get one go around in this life and it shouldn't be wasted doing something that others expect us to do.
At this point, our boys learn what interests them and is pertinent to their lives. Some would say they "world school". We all learn better when we're inspired. And we have great confidence in this approach to prepare them for life. The universe has a funny way of giving people what they desire. Sadly, most people are too busy complaining about their situation to even define what they want.
In conclusion, we teach our boys that they should do what they love. That happiness is far more important than any status symbol or paycheck, no matter what anyone thinks. No dream is too big to achieve. The college-job path is only one way to achieve certain goals among a host of other perhaps more rewarding experiences.
We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, and criticisms. Please leave comments below and we will answer them.