The lifestyle of a digital nomad is exciting, and we’re lucky to live in an era where technology makes it possible. However, selling your home and working while traveling the world comes with a set of challenges, and it’s important to have the right mindset. Being frugal, in particular, is especially important. Fortunately, embracing some of the tenets of minimalism can go a long way.
Pare Down
Before fully committing to the digital nomad lifestyle, you may want to spend some time deciding which items are truly essential. Go through your items one by one and determine if each item is something you can sell or donate to charity. Having a television can make movie night fun, but is your laptop screen sufficient? Similarly, it can be fun to peruse your collection of physical books, but e-readers provide an excellent experience as well and take up only a tiny amount of space. It can be somewhat difficult to let items go but doing so is essential for making your travels easier.
Focus on Your Food
Going out for a bite to eat is fine, and it can serve as an excellent social activity. For most of your meals, however, you will likely be better off learning how to cook. Fortunately, cooking doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task; spinach, chickpeas, and a bit of all of the olive oil can serve as a cheap and tasty salad that’s also healthy, for example. Even cheap restaurants are far more expensive than cooking on your own and will quickly consume your monthly food budget. Furthermore, you’ll likely enjoy dining out even more if it’s a somewhat rare activity.
Buy Generic
We frequently become attached to particular brands, and brand loyalty can be a difficult habit to break. However, generic items are often significantly less expensive than their branded counterparts. Furthermore, a key tenet to minimalism is avoiding attachments to specific corporate entities. In addition, generic options are available for a variety of items, including medicine and food. Staple foods, such as beans and rice, are available in generic form, and stocking up ensures you’re always ready to prepare a tasty meal.
Resist the Temptation to Splurge
Living as a digital nomad often entails less predictable income. If you’re working with clients, in particular, you may receive relatively large sums of money on an irregular basis. Feel free to treat yourself a bit but build a habit of saving this extra money to further aid your minimalist lifestyle. Even if you have enough money for an extended period of time, saving is still essential, and the discipline you build by not splurging will help.
Life as a digital nomad is freeing and being able to see the world without having to retire can lead to an enriching life. However, you’ll need to build discipline and effective money management strategies. Fortunately, more and more people are looking to minimalism, and their advice and expertise can help you thrive while on the road. Focus on the essentials and think carefully before buying anything; being able to tell yourself no is a powerful tool.