You’ve finally done it. After months of deliberation, you’ve committed to becoming a digital nomad.
But before handing in your notice, you need to prepare for the realities of digital nomad life. There are many financial issues, health concerns, and other things that take unprepared nomads by surprise.
So don’t be caught unaware – learn from our mistakes. Below, we’ll talk about how to prepare for life as a digital nomad.
1) Get Your Finances In Order
When you start travelling full-time, you’ll quickly learn how expensive it can be.
All those flights, Airbnb rentals, and lavish meals can cause your checking account to cry out in pain.
So take a look at your assets and ask yourself, “can I quit my job and live off savings for at least six months?”
If the answer is no, keep that resignation letter in draft. Then, slash your expenses and start stockpiling cash.
Also, if you have debt, eliminating or reducing it will make it easier to afford your digital nomad lifestyle.
Lastly, start your digital nomad business (or secure a remote job) before leaving home. That way, you won’t be bleeding cash, which will make it easier to grow your business stress-free.
2) Find a Health Insurance Plan
It’s unlikely your current health care plan will cover you abroad.
So take time to find nomad-friendly coverage before jumping on a plane. If you have private insurance, they may offer an overseas plan, so check with them first.
If that isn’t possible, buy a policy from companies catering to expats or digital nomads. If cost is a factor, vendors like Safety Wing offer plans with an affordable monthly rate.
But whatever you do, don’t leave home without protection. While countries like Thailand offer quality healthcare at a low price point, catastrophic injuries/illnesses could still cost you tens of thousands of dollars – or more.
3) Protect Yourself Against Cybersecurity Threats
Every minute of every day, cybercriminals are trying to steal data. Any data. Even the colour of your first car could hold the keys to your online bank account.
So once you’ve left the IT-protected waters of your 9-5 job, you need to take cybersecurity seriously.
When you’re travelling, the open WiFi networks of airport terminals, coffee shops, and hotel rooms are target-rich environments for thieves.
So to protect yourself, we strongly suggest using a VPN. VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) are an essential tool for digital nomads. They encrypt data sent to and from your device, turning naked usernames and passwords into unintelligible gibberish.
4) Develop the Self-Discipline to Work on the Road
We’ve all seen the pictures. You know the ones – an influencer checks their email from their sun lounger.
But as Insta-worthy as they are, they misrepresent the reality of digital nomadism.
As a digital nomad, you aren’t a tourist or a traveller. Not only do you have to work, but you have deadlines to hit.
So get a calendar, block off time for work, and stick to it. If you can’t bang it out in your accommodation, get a membership at a co-working space.
There will be growing pains, but stick to the plan, and you’ll have time for work AND the fun stuff.
Nothing Worthwhile Is Ever Easy
Getting paid while travelling the world – that’s the lure of the digital nomad lifestyle. But it’s not all sunsets and palm trees.
In your first few months abroad, you’ll deal with dozens of issues like the ones described above.
But no matter how frustrating things get, never stop believing in yourself. You’re smarter than you think – you can meet any challenge you face.
And for every bad day, many more will be awesome.
Yes, being a digital nomad is hard work – but it’s worth the sweat.
