Resources for Aspiring Digital Nomads

are you an aspiring digital nomad?

The term was first coined in 1993 by Andrew Gore and Mitch Ratcliffe. The duo wrote Random House guide books about the digital nomad lifestyle, which essentially involves using telecommunications and technology to earn a living while travelling as a nomad. While the term is broad and technically includes everyone working and travelling, from entrepreneurs to refugees, the modern connotation often evokes a picture of a twenty-something sipping an Americano and glued to their MacBook Air (yep—guilty).

Of course, there’s a lot more to it than that. After dreaming for years of living the digital nomad lifestyle, I finally made the leap, relying on blind faith, bravado, and a trial-and-error approach.

BEING a Digital Nomad is more viable than ever before

Living and working on the road is not only an option for people trying to extend their year-long backpacking trip—it’s also an avenue for entrepreneurs who value flexibility and mobility.

Thanks to technology, the number of remote job opportunities is ever-increasing. In many cases, remote, freelance, and contract work is also more suitable for companies than the traditional full-time formula. The flexible framework works especially well for specific industries such as writing, editing and proofreading, social media management, digital marketing, web design and programming, recruitment, online teaching, and graphic design.

What I’ve found is that there are so many opportunities out there, an increasing number of digital nomads/freelancers, and myriad resources to support us along the way. So much so, that it was all quite overwhelming. Desperately jobless and directionless, I sifted through a ton of material in search of inspiration and guidance.

Today, I am a full-time freelancer and my work is completely independent of where I am in the world so long as I have an internet connection. Here are some of the resources I found helpful during my freelance journey.

Freelancing 101

How to be a Digital Nomad by Location Indie

How to Become a ‘Digital Nomad’ by the New York Times

How to Become a Digital Nomad by Foundr

8 Things No One Tells You About Working Remotely

My Freelance Journey

Finding Work

7 Tips for Budding Freelancers

UpWork

Best Freelance Websites to Find Remote Work

Monday Morning Coffee — tried and tested: subscribe to the newsletter to receive a Monday morning roundup of available writing jobs (this is how I started my digital media copywriter contract with 100Pound Social).

The 15 Best Jobs for Digital Nomads

31 Passive Income Ideas

Destination Info

Nomad List

City Ranking

The Earth Awaits

Travel & Visas

SafetyWing: Insurance for Nomads

Working Holiday Visas for Canadians

International Experience Canada

Visa 101 for Digital Nomads

PhotoAid: Passport and Visa Photos Online

*Refer to individual government websites for the most current travel visa information.

House Sitting

Trusted House Sitters - my go-to site for finding house sitting opportunities

How to Become a House Sitter - a thorough course by The Travelling Housesitters

Long Term House Sitting: A Home Away From Home - a piece of house sitting published by Passion Passport

Insurance

Safety Wing — this global travel medical insurance is designed specifically for digital nomads

World Nomads — insurance made for travelers

Banking

Stack — a Canadian online (no-branch) bank without banking fees and ATM withdrawal fees. Offers a pre-paid MasterCard you can tap anywhere and rewards for things you probably already buy!

Transferwise — manage earning money in multiple currencies without the headache or high conversion fees!

N26 — an online bank with free ATM withdrawals across Europe, an intuitive app with instant notifications, and cool see-through MasterCard debit card.

How to Manage Your Money as a Digital Nomad