Top 4 Tips for How to Be a Digital Nomad

Becoming a digital nomad is more common and accepted, but it is a bit different from working remotely from home. The transition can be successfully managed with attention to detail and planning. As you plan this new work style, check out online resource boards for digital nomads to learn from others’ experiences and to connect with a like-minded community. Here are some tips to consider as you begin this adventure.

1. Explore the Financial Implications and Have a Plan.

The digital nomad style can offer immeasurable perks. Understanding your finances in advance will help you take advantage of them. Meet with an accountant or financial planner who understands remote working so they can advise you on taxes, expenses, and how to fully maximize the experience. Just as you would if you were working in one location, build a savings fund for unexpected expenses. You might not need home maintenance at this time, but you could need a new pair of headphones for virtual meetings or to replace a cracked laptop screen.

2. Look for Community.

Since being a digital nomad can mean traveling to different locations, you’re likely going to meet a lot of new people. While you may not stay in one place for an extended time, you can still find community. From spending hours online in shared workplaces or making friends at cafes that know your order by heart, it is important to have connections throughout your travels. Researching digital nomad groups and shared message boards might help you find recommendations and pick up some tips from those who have experience in this working style.

3. Plan Time Off.

Find time to enjoy the location and what it has to offer without being overwhelmed. This mindset shift away from seeing everything in a week as you would on an ordinary vacation to taking your time might seem counterintuitive. Settling into being a digital nomad means recognizing that this isn’t a vacation, but rather a new way to work and live.

• When you arrive at your destination, try to plan a day or two to get organized with your work and to transition if you are in a new time zone.
• Scope out coworking spaces or set up your work area if you prefer to work at your accommodations.
• Test your internet connection and review your calendar for work meetings for the next several days.
• Make sure you adjust for any time differences to avoid mix-ups with deadlines or meeting times.
• Once you are set up and comfortable to dive into work, take some time to complete essential tasks like food shopping, checking travel times for ride shares to your shared workspace, and exploring your immediate neighborhood to get a good lay of the land.

Spending this time to get set up to work and meet your immediate needs will help you ease into your workday.

If you have prepped a must-see list in advance, make sure to add those adventures to your calendar. You don’t have to do all of your exploring at one time. Spread out exploration plans over your entire stay, and leave blocks of time for new discoveries!

4. Build Your Tool Kit.

When working in different locations, there is a risk for the normal conveniences to be unavailable. Being prepared for these potential pitfalls with a digital nomad kit can help keep the impact of these speed bumps minor.

• Connectivity is a crucial part of working remotely, so make this the priority. Invest in tools for internet security by having a VPN. Carry extra battery packs and chargers, making sure to have plug adapters if you’re in another country with a different type of outlet.
• There are a few things you can easily add to your mobile workstation to increase your comfort. Screen extenders are great to replicate that multiple display you might have on your desk in the office at home. They are portable, and some come with stands to elevate the display.
• If you wear glasses of any kind, have extra pairs in case you lose them at one of your many stops.
• Think about how you will pay for expenses. You might want to use a travel credit card as your primary source for paying for everything. Also have access to local currency and a backup payment method. Usually, credit cards offer the best exchange rate, but in the event of a system being down or lack of service in a remote area, you will be covered.
• Don’t forget to address your health and wellness. Think about planning telemedicine visits with your health care provider and continue to take care of your everyday health. Remember that your domestic health insurance often does not follow you abroad, so if you’re working as a digital nomad in another country, consider travel medical insurance from Seven Corners.

Take something with you from each place you visit. When traveling, it may not make sense to make a lot of purchases, but making memories is part of being a digital nomad. Learning more of the local language, taking a cooking class for a regional dish, or exploring local art are ways to extend this adventure. Exposure to new worlds and experiences is part of why many become digital nomads.

Don’t miss an opportunity to soak up every experience. Learn more about Seven Corners travel insurance or talk to one of our licensed travel insurance agents to find out how we can meet your needs as a digital nomad.