Work from Anywhere in the World

Working from anywhere in the world is becoming easier with technology. Whether you want to travel the world or just want to escape the daily office grind, this lifestyle may be great for you. However, it takes a bit of planning, since you need a steady income and a good internet connection. If you’re ready to hit the road without giving up your career, start by finding work and deciding where you want to go. Then, plan for how you’ll meet your tech needs.

Steps

Finding Work

1. Ask your current employer if you can work remotely. If you can do your job from anywhere, then your employer may agree to let you work remotely. Explain to your employer that this is also a benefit for them, as it saves them some overhead costs. This can allow you to work from anywhere without switching jobs.
   • Remote employees help an employer save overhead costs because workplace costs, such as electricity, office supplies, and rent, may go down. Additionally, they won’t need to purchase your materials, such as your computer or printer.
   • If your workplace sometimes holds meetings, explain that you can attend them via services like Skype.
2. Apply for a job that’s advertised as remote. Some companies already offer remote work, including for new hires. Search for these types of jobs online, then put in your application. You may be able to secure a great position that allows you to work from anywhere you like.
   • You can look for work on sites like Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, and FlexJobs.
3. Create your own revenue by freelancing or selling products online. Freelancing may be a great option for you if you have a skill that you can do online in exchange for money, such as writing, editing, Start Your Own Marketing Business, photography, graphic design, programming, IT, or web design. Start your own business and look for jobs on freelancing websites. Alternatively, you could create an online store that sells items you make or locally sourced goods from your travels abroad.
   • You can look for freelancing jobs on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
   • If you plan to sell items online, make sure you have access to the space and materials you need to create and store your products.
4. Become a consultant in your area of expertise. Consulting is similar to freelancing, as clients will pay you to share your expertise. Provide your consultation services either online or over the phone. If you travel often, you may also visit clients on occasion.
   • For instance, you might provide financial advice, IT training or support, engineering services, or human resources or management consultations.
5. Teach English classes around the world. English teachers are in demand around the world, so you can travel the world teaching. Take a job with a company that hires English teachers, or look for teaching jobs locally. As another option, you can teach English online, which gives you the freedom to move around whenever you like.
   • Do an Internet search to find and apply for available jobs. There are several different companies you can work for, so don’t give up if one isn’t a great fit for you.
   • You don't need a teaching certification or background in teaching to teach English abroad. However, they may make you more attractive to companies who hire teachers.
6. Take a local job in the places you travel. You may be able to find a job in the service, retail, or tourism industry. However, you may need to hold a work visa for the country where you're working. Alternatively, earn money doing things you’re good at, like playing music outside a cafe, making art, or selling things you make. This can help you earn money to sustain your lifestyle.
   • In some cases, you’ll be paid lower wages in these types of jobs, and your employer may pay you cash under the table, especially if you don't have a work visa.
   • If you're earning money on the street, you likely won't need a work visa.
   • If you want a regular job, research the visa requirements in the country where you're currently living before you apply for jobs.

Deciding Where to Go

1. Plan out your travels if you plan to see the world. Traveling the world may be the reason you want to work from anywhere, and it’s a good idea to plan your travels ahead of time. That way you can make sure you have everything you need.
   • Since you’ll likely be traveling the world on a tourist visa, you may be forced to move around anyway. Make sure you know how long you can legally stay in each country you visit.
2. Live somewhere with a lower cost of living if you plan to stay for awhile. Working remotely may not earn you as much money as your regular job did, depending on what you’re doing. However, the freedom to work from anywhere lets you choose a place that costs less. Choosing somewhere with a low cost of living can allow you to make the most of your money.
   • Compare the cost of housing, food, transportation and other essentials before you decide to travel and live in a particular country or city.
   • Look online for areas with the lowest cost of living, then choose a place that fits your preferences.
3. Choose a location with a low exchange rate if you’re working remotely. Most companies are going to pay you in the currency of the country where they’re located. That means you’ll likely be paid in your home currency. Before you move to a new location, find out which currencies they take. If you will need to exchange your funds, check the exchange rate so you can determine if it’s a good place to live.
   • Some bank accounts make it easier to move around the world and may save you money on exchange rates.
   • If you’re taking local work, you may not need to worry about this, as you’ll likely be paid in the local currency.
4. Cut down on costs by traveling to places during their off-season. Working from anywhere in the world gives you the freedom to move around whenever you’d like. That means you can travel without paying high tourist costs, as you can visit places during the less-expensive off-season. Plan out your travels to take advantage of off-season prices, and you could save a lot of money.
   • As an example, colder areas like Sweden or Norway are often cheaper in the winter, while warmer areas like the Caribbean or Dubai are often less expensive during the summer. Similarly, Central America is less costly during the rainy season, which lasts from July through September.

Meeting Your Technology Needs

1. Prioritize your internet connection if you’re working online. Most jobs that allow you to work from anywhere will require you to work online. That means you need a reliable internet connection no matter where you are. Otherwise, you won’t be able to earn money.
   • Get a USB modem so you can more easily connect to the Internet. Your modem will look like a card or stick that plugs into your laptop. To use it, you’ll need a data plan, which you can purchase separately through your cellphone provider or a company like Boingo or ipass.
   • Before you visit a location, do a little online research to find out if you’ll be able to get reliable internet.
   • Read online reviews for popular hotels and cafes to find out if people are happy with the internet connectivity.
   • If you want to visit somewhere with poor Internet service, plan to make your visit short and take a few days off.
2. Get an international phone plan or buy prepaid phones in your destinations. Most major wireless carriers offer international plans that allow you to bring your existing phone around the world. This offers the convenience of keeping the same phone number and having the phone you want. However, international plans can be quite expensive, so you may prefer to save money by purchasing a prepaid phone where you are. These phones are often cheap, though they may not be the best option for your business.
   • You can always carry both phones and use your international plan only when necessary.
   • Make sure your wireless carrier network is available in the countries you plan to visit. Additionally, check your plan and read online reviews to ensure your network is reliable for international calls.
   • Talk to a customer representative to negotiate the best rate for your needs.
   • If you want to buy a phone locally, don’t forget to purchase the minutes for it.
3. Use a sturdy laptop with a webcam and audio capabilities. Your laptop will likely get bounced around during your travels, so choose a model that won’t damage easily. Additionally, make sure you have good storage on your laptop, as well as a webcam and audio to make video calls.
   • Bring a laptop case that will protect your laptop while you’re on the go. Since your laptop is your source of revenue, keep it safe.
   • Backup your laptop before you go abroad, as it may get damaged during your travels.
4. Back up your data by storing it in the cloud. In the event that your laptop does get damaged or lost, you don’t want to lose all of your work and business contacts. The best way to protect yourself is to use cloud storage. That way, you can easily access all of your important information from your new computer.
   • Options for cloud storage include Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Skydrive. Some options are free, but you may need to purchase additional space to store all of your files.

Tips

• You will need a passport to travel outside your home country.
• Minimize what you own to stay flexible. If you want to be able to work from anywhere in the world at any time, you might have to sacrifice owning a home or a car in order to have the freedom and flexibility your lifestyle will require.

Warnings

• Some areas don’t have reliable Internet, so verify that you’ll be able to access the Internet if you need it for work.

References

See also

• Verify Your Identity on Elance
• Verify Your Credit Card on Freelancer
• Use the oDesk Team App
• Turn Off Chat Sounds on Freelancer
• Survive a Freelance Programmer's Life
• Start a Job on Odesk
• Report a Project on Freelancer
• Request a Service on Redbeacon
• Protect Your Ideas As a Freelancer
• Post a Task on TaskRabbit

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