Digital nomad families are becoming more common, as people look for the freedom to live and work without a fixed place of residence. Keep reading to find out what it’s like to be a digital nomad family, how to get started and how to start an online business while you travel.
The first steps to becoming a digital nomad family
If you are looking for a way to work from anywhere in the world and enjoy the nomad way of life, being a digital nomad family can be an excellent choice. Below are the first steps to get your adventure started:
What does it mean to be a digital nomad family?
Being a digital nomad family means living a lifestyle that combines working remotely with the nomad experience. In other words, you have no fixed place of residence. The digital nomad family can work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have access to the internet.
Why be a digital nomad family?
There are many reasons for being a digital nomad family, but the main one is to be able to work while you travel and enjoy the freedom to live anywhere in the world without having to worry about an office job.
Being a digital nomad family also lets you spend more time with your family and have more flexibility to plan trips and family activities.
How do you get started?
If you want to become a digital nomad family you need to have a clear idea of what kind of work you want to do and what tools you need.
Some of the jobs that can be done remotely include digital marketing, graphic design, programming, and translation, to name a few. It is also vital to think about options for your children’s education, because as digital nomads they’ll have to find other ways to learn, such as home schooling or online schools.
How to get an online business up and running and work as and when you please.
If you are thinking of becoming a digital nomad family, you’re bound to be interested in knowing how to set up an online business so you can work freely from anywhere in the world.
In this section, we’ll show you some business ideas that are suitable for digital nomad families, as well as tips and tools for working while you travel and organizing a workspace at home or wherever you happen to be.
Business ideas for digital nomad families
One of the biggest pluses of being a digital nomad family is the flexibility it gives you to set up different types of businesses online. Here are some ideas:
- Online Consulting: If you are an expert in a particular field of work, you can offer your services online. You could, for instance, be a financial advisor, a marketing consultant, or an education specialist
- Online Sales: Create an e-commerce store and sell physical or digital products. You can choose to sell your own products or third-party products
- Affiliate Marketing: Recommend products or services of other companies and get commission for each sale made through your link
- Website design and development: Offer to create and maintain websites
- Content management: Become a content creator on different platforms, such as blogs, YouTube, social networks or podcasts
Remember that you should always choose an online business that suits your skills and experience.
How to work while you travel
One of the great advantages of being a digital nomad family is that you can work from anywhere in the world.
However, you must get organized, and you need to know how to work and stay productive while you travel.
Here are some tips:
- Manage your time properly: Make a list of daily and weekly tasks to make sure you keep up with your work responsibilities
- Choose the proper tools: Use online apps and tools so you can work and do business more effectively with other people
- Always tell people about your plans: You need to be very well organized to coordinate with your employers or clients across different time zones
How to organize your workspace at home or wherever you are
You need to have a comfortable and productive workspace, even if you are somewhere new. Here are some things you could do:
- Look for a quiet space: Working somewhere noisy or with a lot of distractions can lower your productivity. Look for somewhere secluded with good lighting and a reliable internet connection
- Organize your tools properly: Make sure you have all the devices and programs you need for your work. Use cloud storage apps to get quick and orderly access to your documents
- Set up a schedule: You can plan working times and breaks at certain times of the day, so you don’t overdo it and you get to have a break
Starting an online business is no easy task, but if you get properly organized and you work hard, you’ll get it done when you’re a digital nomad family.
In the next section, we’ll explain how to educate your children when you’re traveling.
How to educate your children when you’re traveling
Traveling with children might seem like a big challenge, but sorting out school arrangements will be an even bigger one.
Here are some ideas for your children’s education while you travel.
Is a good education possible when you are traveling?
It is possible to educate your children while you travel and can be a unique and rewarding experience. Traveling offers unique opportunities to learn different languages, learn about different cultures, and get first-hand practical life experience.
One of the keys to educating your children properly while you travel is to plan properly and find a curriculum that is suitable for your children’s needs and their age. What’s more, you’ll find lots of online tools and resources to help you educate them while you’re traveling.
How to find alternative schools and learning options
One of the options you’ll have when you’re traveling is distance learning. There are lots of IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program) schools or even online baccalaureate programs to give your children a top-class education when you’re nomads.
Other options include home-schooling and alternative schools, which are ideal for tailor-made education programs and can produce exceptional results. There are also lots of places where you’ll find temporary education programs that allow your children to go to a local school and to get a more authentic experience that immerses them in the local culture.
How to manage your finances when you’re on the road
When you’re a digital nomad family traveling may seem expensive, but there are lots of ways to save money and boost your income while you enjoy your lifestyle. In this section, you’ll learn how to structure your finances for a digital nomad way of life, and how to earn money as a digital nomad.
How to structure your finances for your digital nomad life
Organizing your finances is a must if you want to live as a digital nomad family. Here are some tips to help you keep on top of your finances:
- Write out a detailed budget so you know exactly how much money you need to maintain your lifestyle
- Use online tools like Mint or Personal Capital to track your spending and see where your money is going
- Change currency and avoid high exchange rates by using an international debit card
- Save money on accommodation by using homestay websites like Couchsurfing and House Sitting
Here at Nomada, we’ve got lots more to tell you about what accommodation you can opt for as a digital nomad. Check out this post. Here is the link for more details.
How to grow your income while enjoying your lifestyle
There are many ways to grow your income when you are a digital nomad family.
Here are some ideas for you:
- Learn online skills that can help you earn additional income, like programming, graphic design or online marketing
- Create your own products or services and sell them online
- Work as a freelancer in work that is related to your professional skills
- Start an online business, for example, retail, dropshipping or digital marketing services
Remember that financial success when you are a digital nomad, depends to a great extent on how you manage your expenses and how you generate income. Careful planning and hard work will help you live a digital nomad life and enjoy the freedom that comes with it.
How to find accommodation when you are a digital nomad family
Finding accommodation is one of the biggest challenges for digital nomad families. You’ll find some interesting options here:
The best accommodation options for digital nomad families
- Airbnb: This platform is becoming very popular for digital nomads. It offers worldwide accommodation solutions and you can also find long-term options at affordable prices
- Hotels: Although they are more costly than Airbnb, some hotels offer weekly or monthly rates that may be what you are looking for
- House and Apartment Rentals: You can take out short-term rentals on houses or apartments through websites that specialize in these types of rentals, like as Spotahome or Homelike
Coliving spaces for families: Is this a solution for digital nomads with children?
One solution that might be helpful for digital nomad families is the family coliving space. These locations offer long-term accommodation for digital nomad families. They are designed to give a feeling of community and encourage cultural exchange. Here is a selection:
- The Hoffice: This space is located in Malaga, Spain and focuses on creativity and innovation. Residents get to work in an inspiring environment and find support in an open and supportive community
- Roam: This company has co-living centers in several parts of the world with a community of creators and entrepreneurs. They offer coworking spaces, and organize events and activities to bring people together
- Family Colivings Spain: This space is located in Murcia, Spain. It is the first one in Spain to focus on accommodation for digital nomad families, and it also offers services for children like yoga classes and sports activities
Generally, there are plenty of options for digital nomad families when it comes to finding accommodation. The important thing is to find something that suits the needs of each family and is within their budget. Researching and planning ahead is the key to enjoying a successful and comfortable digital nomad life.
How to travel with children safely and comfortably
Traveling as a family with young children has many challenges, but it can also be a very rewarding experience. Here are some useful tips and tools to make your travels safer and more comfortable for all the family.
Tips for traveling with small children
- Make sure you have the right equipment: don’t forget to bring everything you need to look after your children, like diapers, bottles, pacifiers, creams, medicine, etc. Plan ahead and make lists so nothing gets left behind
- Choose the right type of transport: the age of your children and the type of trip are what determines the most convenient and safest ways to get around. If you are traveling by car, make sure you have the proper car seats and seat belts. If you’re traveling by plane, choose the right seat for you and be sure to bring toys and activities to keep them busy
- Plan plenty of stops: young children need to move around and stretch regularly, so plan regular stops so they can get up and stretch their legs. Every time you stop, you should go to the bathroom, change their diapers and feed them
- Keep to a routine: young children feel safer and more comfortable when they have an established routine. Try to keep your meal and sleep schedule as close as possible to what it would be at home. This will give them a sense of normality and help them adapt to the journey better
- Set up fun activities: Try to make the trip fun and exciting for kids. Invent activities and games they can do along the way, like reading stories, singing songs, drawing pictures, playing road games, etc
Remember, planning is crucial for a trip with young children to be successful. Follow these tips to make sure your trip is safe, comfortable and fun for the whole family.
How do I know if I’m cut out for the digital nomad family life?
Being a digital nomad family can be a rewarding experience for people looking for the freedom to work and travel at the same time. However, it is not for everyone. Before you decide to turn your family into digital nomads, you have to weigh the pros and cons to see if you are cut out for such an adventure.
The pros and cons of the digital nomad family life
Pros:
- Flexibility: You can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the internet
- You keep on learning: Traveling allows you to get to know new cultures, customs and ways of life, and this helps the family to keep on learning
- A rewarding experience: Being a digital nomad gives you and your children a unique and unforgettable experience
Cons:
- Lack of stability: Changing cities or countries can often be difficult for children and the rest of the family
- Loneliness: Traveling can be lonely and it can be hard to meet new people when you change locations
- Access to services: Services may not be available in out of the way places, or you may not be able to access the same services or facilities you are used to back home
How do you know if you are up to the challenge?
- Lifestyle: Decide whether the digital nomad lifestyle suits what you and your family need
- Adaptability: Adaptability is crucial for digital nomads. You need to decide if you have what it takes to deal with unfamiliar situations
- Budget: The nomadic lifestyle involves proper budget planning to cover travel and daily living costs. You need to decide if you have the skills to do this
- Pre-existing responsibilities: Before you decide, you need to think about yourfamily obligations, including the children’s education and the need to stay in touch with family and friends
It can be amazing and rewarding to become a digital nomad family, but it’s not for everyone. Work out what you need and consider the pros and cons before you decide.
Are you brave enough to take your family on a digital nomad adventure?
If you are, we hope everything works out and you thoroughly enjoy it.
We’d love to read about your experience in the comments.
