Working yes, but without a fixed abode, traveling the world. And then the absence of fixed times, a dress code which can coincide with swimsuit and t-shirt and an enviable work-life balance. All this goes under the label of digital nomadism. A phenomenon that until a few years ago might have seemed the exclusive prerogative of a very few lucky ones, but which today, thanks to the changes in work imposed by Covid-19, could become a reality for a growing number of people.
Digital nomads are not to be confused with time wasters.
No, because in fact this lifestyle involves quite a few challenges. First of all, you need to know how to embrace the freelance life. Juggle a time management entrusted exclusively to one’s own good will; but also learn how to manage personal accounting, procure customers and guarantee a cash flow that does not create too long periods of time without income. In short, easier said than done.
But the reward for this effort is substantial. You have the opportunity to discover the world, to come into contact with cultures far from your own, to grow – personally – at a speed unknown to those who live and work in one place only for most of their lives.
They are the young workers, millennial in the head, those most attracted to this perspective. And for all aspiring digital nomads it is available Digital Nomads, a guide published by Lonely Planet, full of practical advice. We have selected a few and you can find them below.
The choice of profession
Improvisation is a harbinger of problems. You are unlikely to be successful as a digital nomad by starting a job ex new. Better therefore to rely on what you already know how to do. Obviously, not all professions lend themselves to being carried out only with a PC and around the world. In gallery you can find out if your profession is one of the most compatible with this adventurous lifestyle. This does not preclude that other professionals can also find a way to combine continuous travel and work.
The talents to put into play
They are inevitably linked to digital, with a significant creative component in many cases. Better to be able to rely on more than one skill. If the blog with which you hope to support yourself – which is not at all simple, those who have tried it know it well – does not take off, it is better to be able to fall back on collateral activities such as proofreading or work in the SEO and SEM. A good dose of flexibility is therefore essential to meet the needs that may arise from day to day.
On the other hand, the slavish imitation of others is not recommended. As Josh Summer, director of the site, suggests in the guide Travel China Cheaper, “It’s easy to get attracted to what other digital nomads are doing. Ignore the siren call and focus on the skills you already have. The success of a digital nomad is directly proportional to the ability to find their own niche ».
To start
Among the first, fantastic, tasks is to choose where to start your journey. Well, that also matters a lot to the success of your project. Start from a place with a low cost of living, not too complex in terms of access to services (coworking and efficient connections are essential) and possibly not on the other side of the world. This is also because the time zone must be considered. If all of your customers are in Italy, heading to Australia right away could pose some organizational obstacles.
A plus the knowledge of the local language (or at least of a lingua franca known by the majority of the population) could give you considerable knowledge. The frequency of trips – which always involve costs – must also be kept low, at least initially.
Finance management
It is one of the biggest – and understandable – concerns of anyone who does not have an employee job. To start a period (or a whole life) as a digital nomad, it is essential to save some money in advance. A fund to draw on both to give yourself extras – if you don’t have a little different experiences than usual, maybe you might as well stay at home – and for any emergency moments. In general, “there are few places where you can live well as a digital nomad for less than € 900 a month”. Among the costs to be foreseen are those of visas, accommodation and connection.
For payments, it is better to rely on credit / debit cards (beware of fees) and the contactless through the smartphone thanks to apps such as Google Pay.
Tax issues
Yes, these must also be considered. To understand how the tax system of a new country works, the Worldwide Personal Tax and Immigration Guide by Ernst & Young. Digital nomads can choose to pay taxes in their countries of origin or in those where they temporarily reside. Then there are those who choose fiscal exile, a choice that is not strictly ethical; «Those who earn a little more sometimes evade taxes by residing in the so-called“ tax havens ”with very permissive regimes. In some, temporary residence is paid; others have schemes in which you are not taxed if you receive payments from abroad ”. In this case it is necessary to use an accountant with experience in the laws offshore.
(Photo: Adobe Stock).
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
