How to Become a Digital Nomad: The Ultimate Guide to Location Independence

Digital Nomadism Was Not The Goal, But COVID Changed Our World Permanently
We were in the Bahamas when the world began shutting down. Our summer camp employment evaporated. What now? Thankfully my wife suggested we stay put, and pursue an online gig with Outschool. It was a match made in heaven! 

Imagine waking up to the sound of ocean waves in Bali, working from a cozy café in Lisbon, or spending your lunch break exploring the vibrant streets of Mexico City. This isn’t just a dream—it’s the reality of digital nomads. If you crave freedom, adventure, and the ability to work from anywhere, it’s time to join the digital nomad revolution!


This guide will show you how to become a digital nomad, with proven tips for making money online, staying productive, and thriving on the road.


What is a Digital Nomad?


A digital nomad is someone who works remotely while traveling the world. Instead of being tied to an office, they use the internet to earn a living from anywhere—whether it’s a beach in Thailand or a co-working space in Medellín.



Is Becoming a Digital Nomad Right for You?


Before you take the plunge, ask yourself:

✅ Do I want freedom from the traditional 9-to-5?

✅ Am I comfortable adapting to new places and cultures?

✅ Can I stay self-disciplined and productive while traveling?


If you answered YES, keep reading—your new life is waiting!


Step 1: Choose a Remote Career That Fits Your Skills


You don’t need to be a tech genius to work remotely. There are hundreds of ways to earn a living online. Here are some of the best:


Freelancing (Best for Writers, Designers, Marketers)

• How to Start: Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.

• Examples of Remote Jobs:

• Copywriting & Blogging

• Graphic & Web Design

• Digital Marketing & SEO

• Video Editing



Online Entrepreneurship (Best for Self-Starters)

• Start a Blog or YouTube Channel (Monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing).

• Sell Digital Products (E-books, online courses, or templates).

• Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand (Sell products without handling inventory).


Remote Employment (Best for Stability & Benefits)

• Companies like Toptal, We Work Remotely, and FlexJobs list remote jobs.

• Popular roles:

• Software Developer

• Virtual Assistant

• Customer Support Rep


Teaching & Coaching (Best for Experts in a Field)

• Teach English online with VIPKid or Cambly.

• Offer coaching or consulting via Zoom.


🚀 Pro Tip: Test your remote job before quitting your current job! Start freelancing part-time to build skills and income.


Step 2: Minimize Expenses & Save Money Before You Go


Becoming a digital nomad doesn’t mean quitting with zero savings. Plan ahead:


💰 Reduce debt – Pay off credit cards and loans.

🏡 Downsize – Sell unnecessary items or rent out your home.

📊 Set a savings goal – Aim for at least 3–6 months of living expenses.

🌍 Pick an affordable first destination – See the list below!


🚀 Pro Tip: Use apps like Mint or YNAB to track your spending.


Step 3: Choose the Best Digital Nomad Destinations


Some places are digital nomad-friendly with fast WiFi, affordable living, and great co-working spaces. Here are some top choices:



1. Bali, Indonesia 🌴

• Why Go? Stunning beaches, affordable villas, and a thriving nomad community.

• Average Monthly Cost: $1,200–$1,800

• Best Co-Working Space: Dojo Bali


2. Chiang Mai, Thailand 🏯

• Why Go? One of the cheapest cities for nomads, with great food and culture.

• Average Monthly Cost: $800–$1,500

• Best Co-Working Space: Punspace


3. Medellín, Colombia ⛰

• Why Go? Spring-like weather year-round and low living costs.

• Average Monthly Cost: $1,000–$1,600

• Best Co-Working Space: Selina


4. Lisbon, Portugal 🌊

• Why Go? European charm, safety, and excellent WiFi.

• Average Monthly Cost: $1,500–$2,500

• Best Co-Working Space: Second Home


5. Mexico City, Mexico 🌮

• Why Go? Affordable, vibrant culture, and a growing digital nomad scene.

• Average Monthly Cost: $1,200–$2,000

• Best Co-Working Space: WeWork Reforma


🚀 Pro Tip: Use Nomad List to compare cities by cost, internet speed, and quality of life.



Step 4: Stay Productive & Balance Work & Travel


Being a digital nomad isn’t a permanent vacation—you still have to work! Here’s how to stay on track:


✅ Set a routine – Work in the mornings, explore in the afternoons.

✅ Use productivity tools – Trello, Notion, and Google Calendar help you stay organized.

✅ Find reliable WiFi – Always check speeds using Speedtest.net before booking accommodations.

✅ Join a co-working space – Being around other nomads boosts motivation.


🚀 Pro Tip: Work in time zones that match your clients’ needs!


Step 5: Overcome Digital Nomad Challenges


Life on the road isn’t always Instagram-perfect. Be prepared for:


😩 Loneliness? Join Facebook groups, Meetup, or co-living spaces.

🛂 Visa issues? Research digital nomad visas—Portugal, Mexico, and Thailand offer great options.

📡 Bad WiFi? Get a portable hotspot like Skyroam or Airalo eSIM.


🚀 Pro Tip: Have a backup income stream (like an online side hustle) for slow months.


Final Thoughts: Is the Digital Nomad Life for You?


If you want to break free from the 9-to-5, explore new places, and work on your own terms, the digital nomad lifestyle is absolutely possible! It takes planning, adaptability, and the right skills, but the reward is a life of freedom and adventure.


🌍 So, what’s stopping you? Start building your remote career today! 🚀



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ford The Rio Grande and Ride a Burro into Boquillas Del Carmen, Mexico!

Image
Epic Family Fun on The Border by Josh Holloway   We stood there, my wife Heidi, our 3 young sons, and I, in front of a camera a few hundred yards from Mexico, attempting to re-enter the United States. Heidi looked puzzled, holding the handset to her ear at the U.S. border entry point in Big Bend, National Park. A Customs and Immigration agent was on the other end of the line, over 300 miles away, in El Paso. “What’s the look about,” I wondered. Mexico was an opportunity that popped out of the desert expanse, as our family of five circumnavigated the U.S. by minivan. We were obtaining our backcountry camping permit, and debating the 4X4 capabilities of our Honda Odyssey with the Big Bend park ranger, when Heidi spotted Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande on the park map. “Can we just go there?” she inquired. “Well, the border’ll be open  till five o’clock . Once it closes it’s closed  until Wednesday ,” the ranger responded. ...
Read more

Tiny Bubbles -- the prelude to adventureswithboy123

Image
Prior to becoming adventureswithboy123, Heidi and I took off on a 3 year barebones tour of the Pacific aboard our small but sturdy, engineless Pacific Seacraft named "Tiny Bubbles." The following documents those crazy days... From: Tiny bubbles Date: 01/02/2006 11:51:00 PM EST Tiny Bubbles in Oz We haven't entirely adjusted to all the western comforts to be found here, but we're working on it. Australia has been good to us for the most part. We sailed to Bundaberg on the east coast as our Customs check-in port and arrived on Thanksgiving Day. Of course Aussies don't celebrate Thanksgiving so it didn't amount to much, but we thought it was neat. We entered Port in the dead of night using the well marked, but narrow channel lights as guides. We had to sail up to a dock in order for customs and quarantine to board and clear us. We had heard rumors that Australian quarantine confiscates all your food, so we had been eating ourselves silly trying to clean out...
Read more

Blogging in Paradise!

Image
Eleuthera, Bahamas 🇧🇸  Welcome to Water World! Is the Bahamas the Ultimate Destination for Digital Nomads? We were about to find out… In 2017 our family sailed our small boat from Maine to The Bahamas. We had the opportunity to YouTube our adventures, saving all the fun moments to revisit in later years. We were also able to maintain a blog, letting family and friends know where we were, and what we were up to. Internet was tricky on the sailboat, and we were not pursuing digital nomad work. It was all about the experience. Fast forward to COVID. We were on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas when the country went on lockdown. We were not going to be able to return to Maine for work, which was going to pose a serious income shortfall. Fortunately my brilliant wife suggested I go online, and teach on Outschool! Classes filled up quickly, and I loved the experience of teaching a wide variety of classes that I was passionate about. To top it all off, we were in the Bahama...
Read more