This Digital Nomad Worked in 20 Countries Within 5 years. Here are Her Finest Financial Advice!
Before the epidemic, five years ago, when she was only 19 years old, Daniella Pashuk made the decision to become a digital nomad. Pashuk, who is now 24 years old, has worked abroad for five years in over 20 nations.
Many people were inspired to consider alternate work arrangements by remote work during the epidemic; one trend that caught on was “work from anywhere,” or becoming a digital nomad.
But five years ago, well before the pandemic, when Daniella Pashuk was only 19 years old, she started living as a digital nomad.
“I got into an online university and started traveling full time and working at the same time,” she said.
“I got to be wherever I want to be and do whatever I want to do in different countries. And that kind of changed the trajectory of my life.”
Budgeting is difficult because each month is different because you frequently travel, use different currencies, and incur different expenses.
Pashuk, who is now 24 years old, has spent the last five years traveling. Although many people may think that sounds like the ideal career, she strongly disagrees: “It’s not for everyone.”
Pashuk is a freelance writer, thus her earnings can change from month to month.
“I make anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 per month … certain months I travel as a house sitter so I don’t pay anything for accommodation,” she revealed.
That also entails careful financial preparation, despite the freedom that comes with being able to travel and work whenever she wants.
“You have to be okay with a little unpredictability … Every single month doesn’t look the same, because you’re often in different areas, with different currencies, and there are different expenses, so budgeting is a challenge,” she shared.
“I’ve definitely had times where I’ve spent completely different extremes from one month to the next, you know, from 600 euros to 3,000 euros depending on where I am.”
As a digital nomad, keeping your money in order is crucial because “you have to fund the lifestyle that you really want,” according to Pashuk.
She offers four suggestions that have been useful to her in managing her finances while working remotely.
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Her Finest Financial Advice
1. Choose the Type of Nomad that you want to be.
According to Canadian Pashuk, the kind of digital nomad you wish to be will “make or break” your circumstance.
She identified the first category as people who relocate frequently, moving every one to two weeks.
“I did that for almost two years and I stopped doing that because I found it was just too stressful for me,” she explained.
“That can be expensive really fast because there’s a huge chance of things going wrong every single time you’re moving: flights, getting canceled trains and extra expenses.”
Instead, she now describes herself as a “slow digital nomad,” staying in one location for at least a month or as long as her visa would allow.
‘Digital nomad’ visas are easier to get than ever — especially if you’re rich
“That really helps with the budgeting because … for a couple months, you do kind of have a set budget because you’re in one location and you’re still spending kind of the same stuff,” said Pashuk.
Additionally, establishing a manageable “home base” has proven quite beneficial and can assist provide some stability.
I currently reside in Montenegro and continue to travel each and every month, but I have a home to return to, she said.
“I already know that there is at least that certain amount that I have to pay each and every month, and then like a little bit of rent that I pay here, but it doesn’t really make a huge dent,” the speaker said.
2. Choosing the Appropriate Debit Card
Pashuk found it extremely difficult to maintain a consistent and reliable financial flow when she first became a digital nomad.
Because of her frequent moves, she said, “I keep getting locked out of my Canadian bank account. They say this is a little suspicious.”
I’m just sick and tired of calling my bank all the darn time.
When she attempted to use Canadian cards to withdraw money from nearby ATMs, she was hit with “pretty large” foreign transaction fees.
“Occasionally, I would lose up to $30 to $40 every time I took out cash. If you have to do that repeatedly, that adds up to a significant amount of money lost.”
Two years ago, she switched to a multi-currency debit card, which enabled her to add funds and make cash withdrawals in any currency.
“I receive my freelance income there rather than in my Canadian bank account. I’ve used that card to travel to more than 20 countries and haven’t really run into any problems,” she stated.
3. Make Your Research
Conducting proper research is “really important” when moving around as a digital nomad, according to Pashuk.
Look up average pricing for an apartment on Airbnb, food, and other needs to determine what the going rate is and whether it fits within your budget, she advised.
Before I leave on a trip, I always set up a little table with everything I’ll need. You never know what unforeseen circumstances might slink up on you and grab your money.
Pashuk noted that although it may seem obvious, individuals can be shocked by how much some countries’ public transportation can cost.
You don’t consider it because local public transportation is typically affordable, but when she traveled to London, she spent significantly more on transportation than she had anticipated.
“It was going up to $20 per day.”
4. keep Track of Tax Obligations
To make sure she doesn’t stay in one place long enough “to be considered a tax resident,” she also maintains a record of the various countries’ tax obligations.
She laughed and said, “I just don’t want to deal with that, Canadian taxes are enough for me.”
“That’s really important because there have been times when I’ve come close to crossing that threshold,” she told CNBC.
You have to be somewhat resourceful in your cost-cutting efforts. And having sound financial judgment will undoubtedly help you survive over the long haul.
Pashuk advised researching digital nomad visas if you were thinking about being a “slow digital nomad,” as they frequently provide tax savings and in some cases are tax free.
Even though it may all sound daunting, she claimed that the more you travel, the better your ability to estimate your spending will become.
“Wherever you can cut costs, you have to be a little bit clever. Additionally, having sound financial judgment will help you survive in the long run.
Who is a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads are those who use technology to do their jobs while being mobile and location-independent. Instead of being physically present at a company’s headquarters or office, digital nomads telecommute to work. A number of technological advancements have made the life of a digital nomad viable, including content management systems, inexpensive WiFi Internet access, cellphones, and Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) for contacting clients and employers. Additionally, the expansion of the gig economy has contributed.
KEY LESSONS:
- People who operate remotely using information and communications technologies are referred to as digital nomads.
- As they are not confined to one place, digital nomads can operate from coffee shops, beaches, or hotel rooms.
- For the first time, some remote workers became digital nomads as a result of the 2020 economic crisis and lockdown, choosing to work in other states or nations if they could get access to them.
- Families on the move for employment and school are another example of digital nomads.
- Digital nomads don’t always have to be young. One survey indicates that 35 is the average age.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Being a Digital Nomad
People who want freedom and flexibility with their professions and spare time to travel are frequently digital nomads. Digital nomads frequently lead a simple life filled with experiences rather than material possessions. They establish temporary roots in numerous places every year, allowing them to experience other civilizations. Lifestyles as a digital nomad are not for everyone. You can end up broke and unable to go home if you can’t make enough money traveling.
It’s possible that you’ll need to work irregular hours and manage several clients. To work and fulfill deadlines across time zones, digital nomads need access to dependable internet. Without family or close friends, some digital nomads claim to feel lonely while traveling, and it could be challenging to establish lasting relationships. Even while some other countries’ medical costs are lower than those in the United States, purchasing travel health insurance may be pricey.
Pros:
- Freedom from the confines of a regular office
- Possibilities to travel and experience various cultures
- Time for surfing and other outdoor hobbies
- More discretion over your time
Cons:
- It may be costly to travel frequently.
- You might need to work with clients in different time zones.
- Isolation or loneliness from friends and family
- For the best life/work balance while traveling, one must be extremely organized.
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