Editor’s Note: This article was originally featured in The Huffington Post.
One year ago, my husband and I quit our lives of “normality” and set off for a yearlong around the world trip. The question we received most often was, “how did you afford it?”. I wanted to respond with everything they were thinking. “We sold our kidneys, won the lottery, and then had mom and dad bank roll it.” Or not.
We decided it was time to shed some light on the world of long-term travel. Here’s how you can make the change to travel full-time as a digital nomad.
How to Travel Full-Time as a Digital Nomad
Work Remotely: One of the best ways to make an income while traveling is to work remotely. If you work in graphic design, copywriting, or digital media, this will be way easier than someone who has an office job that requires them to actually be in the office. These days, it’s easier than ever to be a digital nomad. Ask your boss if you can work remotely and see what they say. If they say “no”, try starting with 2-3 days per week as a test of working remotely. You could also freelance on websites like Upwork.com or Hubstaff Talent.
Rent Out Your Home: One of the scariest things about leaving for our around the world trip was the fact that we had a mortgage payment to take care of. Try renting your home out (we did so fully furnished) to cover your mortgage. If possible, make a small profit on the home.
Play Currency Arbitrage: One of the best ways to save money and travel full-time is to play a game of currency arbitrage. Pick a location where your dollar goes far while still getting paid in your local currency. For instance, if I take my key ingredients of earning in US dollars and living in Argentina, and I add a splash of a 1:15 conversion of US Dollars to Argentine Pesos, I come out with a currency feast! We are lucky to have been born in The United States and to travel as digital nomads in 2015/2016. The dollar was at an all-time high!
For the full article, originally featured in The Huffington Post, click here.
Being able to travel year-round is one of the many perks of having a job that is computer/network based. You guys are living the life! Congratulations on making such a unique and fun move!
Morgan,
It hasn’t been easy making the transition but it’s worth the effort. Sometimes the two of us wish our lives were a little more stable, but that’s becoming more rare recently. Do you have a mobile/computer based job?
Hi Scott and Colette! So glad you all have this post up! My husband and I would love to do something like this before kids. One solid year (maybe 2 if I can convince him)! Haha:)
Neither of us have remote jobs. I am in sales and he owns a gym in Texas. Any advice to making this dream a reality? Any remote jobs that you would recommend?
Robyn,
A few tips.
1. Read total money make over by David Ramsey – saving tips for pre-trip
2. for his gym – see if he can train people to run his gym while you’re abroad. You could bring someone on who you trust, have a contract that grants them equity after some period or increases over time – this would give them more of an interest in the gym than just a weekly salary, additionally, it would allow you to trust them more.
3. Since he owns a gym – instead of taking a year long trip, consider taking several month long journeys.
4. For you – Search online sales jobs that allow you to work remotely – Search for jobs on Elance that fit your skill set – See if any of your friends/family need online assistance you could offer
5. Do you own a home – you could airbnb your house for extra income.
This isn’t the perfect answer you were looking for, but if you put the idea in you head that you are going on the trip no matter what, ideas will come to you. I’m a big proponent of meditation, journaling, and visualization. I recommend trying these as you look for a solution. Many of my problems have been solved and ideas have been found by these practices.
So happy all of you have this post up! My better half and I would love to accomplish something like this before children. One strong year (perhaps 2 in the event that I can persuade him)! Haha:)
Neither of us have remote occupations. I am in deals and he possesses an exercise center in Texas. Any exhortation to making this fantasy a reality? Any remote employments that you would suggest?
Scotty! I helped potty train you. Lol. Very proud of you.
Love this!! So many ways!! Listing my condo on Airbnb while I’m gone + car on Turo!
Love Dave Ramsey!
Awesome idea! We love both of those apps!
Hey Am Charles a chef who quit A Five star hotel job to open my own Food joint.. I’ve always wanted to take to time to Travel.. and I’ve only been worried how I might earn a living when am traveling…
Hey Am Charles a chef who quit A Five star hotel job to open my own Food joint..it’s been one year since I’ve quit and I’ve successfully opened one Chinese food joint and 1Bbq Joint.. I’ve always wanted to take to time to Travel.. and I’ve only been worried how I might earn a living when am traveling…
Charles, it sounds like if you wanted to be a chef in another country, you could easily move abroad to work! We love that you took the chance to open up your own food joint! Where is it located?
Hi Scott & Collette! How are you?
I love everything about this website and you guys ! I left home coming up to 4 years this year when I turned 18 and was so luckily to be offered a job in SE Asia. Have worked and travelled since, now currently in Western Australia. All my jobs have been In hospitality or farm work, Au Pair! I’d love to keep travelling and do what I love the most, talk about and learn/give advice for travellers. Are there any rural estate agents or Holiday Reps that work and travel or anything in that area. I’m not really sure what is it I want to do yet just know I want to keep traveling and I’d love to help people do the same and help them plan their perfect holiday!
Hi Chloe,
I would definitely research people who are in your “dream job” and reach out to them to see how they got there. If they’re in WA or a place you want to live, even better!
My girlfriend and I have been saving this passed year. We just put in our notices at work and are moving to FL in a month! Took a lot of planning and saving but we did it. We are cruising in May to Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, and Belize. Traveling is what we love and it’s a great feeling when the weight of the world is lifted off of your shoulders and free will kicks in. Nothing is ever tying you down. Live the life you want! We are already planning a backpacking trip in Europe next year. It takes a lot of effort to save and travel, so I am looking into Web and App design and coding courses to get into more remote work so we can travel more! I saw your Facebook video on INSIDER travel and wanted to check out your website. You are clearly an inspiration to others! I hope my girlfriend and I can be inspirations to others someday as well!
go out and travel right now people! LIFE IS TOO SHORT
Brad,
Congratulations on making a HUGE life change! WOW! We are so pumped for you guys. Life is too short to be stuck in a dead end job or a job that you don’t love.
It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!
I would love some more advice and tips. I am still young and I have been wanting to travel outside the country for a while now but I know it costs a LOt of money. I have already traveled the United states, now it is time to venture out. I just wanted to know how you guys do it.
One day I’ll spend some time travelling for pleasure. For now I’ll keep travelling for work. Couldn’t travel at the moment anyway who’d look after my dog!
Food Blogging is one of the most CREATIVE WAY TO FUND YOUR TRAVEL
Hi scott and collette, thank you for sharing your expertise on this blog. I have a strong ambition to travel for a year at somepoint in my life, but what worries me is the amount of planning i would have to do. I would like to cover as much of the world as possible. How did you go about it? Would you book flights and hotels as you go along or did you have eberything booked before you started. Surely you can save on costs if u book in advance but then how do you know how long to stay in each location? What would you advise?
This an adventurous lifestyle Chollette. You and Scott did well to leave a normal life to pursue foreign experiences.
I would love to be able to travel more, and due to having two children, I cannot be a nomad. Hopefully, my website will grow big enough for me to base our family abroad while placing our children in international school and travel around during school holidays.
I am hoping that someday, my husband and I can fund full-time travel!
This article is the ultimate guide for a travel lover. Because we all know for the traveler how hard is budgeting. In this article, you include useful ways to manage it. I learn from this article.
You are living life of my dreams 🙂
The article is really logical and helpful. I will try to implement these in my next trip 🙂
Thanks alottttttttttttt <3
Please visit India it has a lot of beautiful places you will enjoy
This is so inspiring! Thank you very much for posting this! Great read 🙂