Tips for Transitioning into the Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Budgeting, Routine, and Choosing the Right Destination

If you’re trying to dip your toes into the digital nomad life, don’t be daunted by the change in pace. Going from working in an office or at home to working abroad can be a shock to the system and may require some readjusting. Here are a few things to keep in mind for first-time digital nomads or those of you who are curious to try it out:

💸 Budget accordingly 
Visiting a country and working in a country are very different. Most of us can budget for a two-week trip that allows us to eat out for every meal but doing the same for an eight-week stay abroad can quickly drain your bank account. To help ensure you aren’t going over budget, keep a few things in mind:
Don’t spend more on your Airbnb/hotel/hostel than you do at home. And, if you do, make sure you’re cutting your budget in other places or have more cash flow coming in. 
Don’t eat out for every meal. Sure, the best part of travel is trying all the delicious restaurants, but a trip to the grocery store will keep you on budget and the meals you eat out will feel even more special when you do indulge.

🗓 Make sure you have a routine
Sure, hybrid traveling and working can be fun but it can quickly become overwhelming if you throw caution to the wind and don’t organize your days. Keep your schedule on track by having some semblance of a routine. Maybe build in a gym day or find a cafe that has WiFi so you can set aside time in the morning to answer all your emails. This will ensure you don’t drop the ball on your work or your play.

🌎 Choose your destination wisely 
Not every city is built equally nor are many of them built to accommodate digital nomads. You have to remember that this is still a relatively new lifestyle so you want to choose wisely when it comes to the destination as well as the accommodation you pick.

Look for a city that is already popular among digital nomads like Portugal or Costa Rica. When it comes to accommodations, look for digs that might offer a computer room, private workspaces, or even just a desk inside your room.