5 Simple Steps You Need to Follow If You Want to Become a Digital Nomad
Have you ever dreamt of leaving the confines of your nine to five job, packing your bags and seeing the world?
Dropping everything to travel to your heart’s content may seem unrealistic because, well, you need money to pay for things, but it’s totally doable. All you have to do is embrace the digital nomad lifestyle.
What does it mean to be a digital nomad?
Being a digital nomad does not mean being on a sabbatical or permanent vacation. On the contrary, it requires you to hustle, except that your office is wherever you make it!
All you need is a laptop and a good internet connection, and you can earn a living while exploring different corners of the world.
How can you become a digital nomad?
As of 2014, a whopping34 percent of the American workforce was made up of freelancers and with that number steadily rising, there’s never been a better time to take the plunge. You just have to keep in mind a few key factors.
From managing your finances to finding enough work to pay your bills, follow the steps below to turn your goal into a reality.
1. Embrace passive income
Embracing passive income i.e. income that “comes from sources that are received on a periodic basis, often with little effort to maintain” is a must. According toR.L. Adams, a software engineer and digital nomad, passive income is “the most important financial tool that will afford you the freedom to not only receive income automatically, every single month, without fail, but it'll also give you the means to have a flexible schedule.”
2. Don’t rely on the local economy
Rather than planning to find work on the ground, embrace the idea of working remotely. Maybe your current field is perfectly suited for working abroad — asShopify points out, writers, editors, e-comm entrepreneurs, developers and designers are especially lucky — but if it isn’t, don’t worry.
There are plenty of sites you can use to find freelance work, likeUpwork andFiverr. Just make sure to account for time zone differences and be realistic about how much time you can devote to getting the job done.
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3. Keep expenses in check
In addition to choosing a destination where your dollar will take you as far as possible — cities like Bangkok and Budapest have a great cost of living — start cutting back on unnecessary expenses ASAP.
To truly embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, get rid of your ties to home, including your apartment, car, furniture and more.
Also, be sure to pay off your credit cards and eliminate as much debt as possible, so you don’t have to worry about it once you’ve said goodbye to your steady source of income.
4. Don’t forget to be practical
Before you set off on the adventure of a lifetime,Entrepreneur suggests ticking off a number of practical boxes, including purchasing an unlocked phone, signing up for a credit monitoring service (you don’t want anyone stealing your identity while on the road!) and investing in good travel insurance.
What’s more, setting aside a good amount of savings to draw from while you settle into your new lifestyle is also key.
5. Just do it!
According to Matt Kepnes, the blogger and digital nomad behindNomadic Matt, the most important step of all is going for it! “Just get on that plane or train or bus. Everything else will work itself out,” he told Forbes.
“All that worrying and fear I had before I left was for naught — this traveling thing is a lot easier than you would believe. It’s not like you are the first person to ever do this, there are plenty of fresh high school graduates on the road too. If they can do it, so can you!”
And remember: Once you take the plunge, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The digital nomad community is a tight-knit one and by joining any of a myriad of social media groups you’ll be able to make connections, get insider tips and, most importantly, meet like-minded people.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.