Do you dream of becoming a digital nomad? Here I share how I run a business while traveling every day of the year—yes, we travel full-time. You’ll learn how to work while traveling, where to find remote jobs, and how to manage the digital nomad lifestyle.
About two years ago my husband and I bought an RV and unintentionally became digital nomads.
At first we thought the RV would be for weekends or short trips home to visit family. We fell in love with life on the road, and soon decided to sell our house and live in the RV full-time.
We were able to make this change because of our business. I started Making Sense of Cents in August 2011 as a hobby. I never expected it to become a career, let alone one that allows me to travel full-time.
Over time the blog grew and eventually earned enough for me to quit my day job and blog full-time. Today my blogging business generates substantial income, and it allows me the freedom to travel continuously.
Life has been incredible, and I know that working while traveling is a dream for many people. You don’t need to earn an enormous income to travel and work, but you do need a job or business that supports remote work.
Being a full-time blogger has been an amazing path for us, and adding full-time travel simply makes it more rewarding.
If you want more information about becoming a digital nomad, check out these related posts on Making Sense of Cents:
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- What It’s Like Living In An RV
- 9 Work From Home and Travel Careers
- How Much Does It Cost To RV?
- Are You Interested In Traveling The World And Working At The Same Time?
How To Become A Digital Nomad – How I run a business while traveling every day of the year:
I found a business that allows me to travel year-round.
I started the blog as a hobby and, over time, it turned into a full-time business that supports our mobile lifestyle. My online business lets me travel anywhere without needing to be physically present for work.
If you’re wondering how to become a digital nomad, the first step is to find a career or business that allows remote work. This is often the biggest obstacle for aspiring full-time travelers, but it’s solvable. There are many ways to earn while traveling:
- Start a website or blog and monetize it through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
- Telecommute: convert your current job to remote work or search for remote positions. Remote jobs are increasingly common.
- Check local job boards where you travel. Short-term or seasonal opportunities often appear on community bulletin boards.
- Work where you travel: pick up temporary jobs in the local area or work for a hostel or small business where you stay.
- Become an au pair to live with a host family while earning room and board.
- Join WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) to volunteer on farms in exchange for food and accommodation.
Related post: How To Make Money While Traveling
My typical day as a digital nomad.
There isn’t a single “typical” day, and that flexibility is one of the best parts of this life. My husband and I keep a flexible schedule that lets us explore outdoors during the day and work during the evenings and nights.
Sometimes we stay in one place for a month or more, other times just a few days. Right now I’m writing from Arizona, a popular winter destination for RVers with great weather and outdoor activities.
My husband manages driving and RV maintenance while I concentrate on running the business. Having a blogging business means I’m my own boss and can design my schedule to balance work and travel. I aim to enjoy daylight hours exploring and reserve evenings for focused work. That balance lets me experience new places without falling behind on business.
Running a business without a traditional office.
All I really need to run the business is a laptop and internet access. Most communication with my team and partners happens via email, and sponsorships or client discussions occur over phone or online meetings. Because my work is laptop-based, we’re free to travel nearly anywhere.
Finding reliable internet on the road.
Internet access is one of the top concerns for aspiring digital nomads. While connectivity varies, you can usually find workable solutions wherever you go.
I use a Verizon MiFi device to access the internet across the United States. Campground Wi‑Fi is often slow or unreliable, and public Wi‑Fi at cafes and stores can’t be depended on for consistent work. A mobile hotspot or MiFi device is an excellent investment if you plan to work online while traveling.
Mobile plans can be costly, so budget for data usage. Basic plans start around a modest price for limited GB; prices improve with higher data tiers. There are older unlimited plans with higher upfront costs, but those are becoming less common.
Related read: How To Travel On A Budget And Still Have The Time Of Your Life
How fast we travel.
Some travelers change locations every day, but we prefer slow travel. Moving slowly is usually more affordable, reduces fuel waste, and gives you more time to enjoy each destination. Traveling quickly allows you to see more places in a shorter time, but because we plan to travel long-term, we choose to linger and enjoy each stop.
Your travel pace affects what kind of work you can do. If you plan to find jobs locally as you move, slower travel makes it easier to keep short-term positions.
We still visit home.
Full-time travel is fun, but we balance it with visits to family and friends. We usually plan month-long visits and are fortunate that most of our loved ones live in nearby areas—Chicago, St. Louis, and Memphis—so it’s not difficult to stop by.
When we first started traveling it was harder to be away from friends and family, but staying connected through texts, calls, and social media makes it much easier today. Being able to keep in touch helps make full-time travel more sustainable and enjoyable.
Maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Running a business while traveling sounds wonderful, and it is—but balance is essential. Because work travels with you, it’s easy for it to take over and cause stress. Unplugging can be challenging; for me the solution is planning and working ahead. I aim to be months ahead with content so I’m not pressured by immediate deadlines. Advance planning makes it possible to enjoy places even when connectivity is limited or unexpected events occur.
Passive income helps sustain a nomadic life.
Passive income supports work-life balance for digital nomads because it can generate earnings with less ongoing effort. One effective source is affiliate income: write a post or review once and it can earn over time with minimal maintenance.
Affiliate marketing still requires effort up front—building an audience, creating quality content, and earning trust—but once established, it can provide long-term revenue from existing posts or links. Common affiliate activities include linking to products in blog posts, promoting offers on social media, or mentioning products in podcasts and videos.
Affiliate marketing works well for remote lifestyles: with a laptop, internet access, and a small loyal audience, you can grow income from anywhere. Affiliate revenue has been a major factor in our ability to travel full-time.
I teach my affiliate strategies in an online course for bloggers, where I share the methods I used to build a substantial monthly affiliate income. For many bloggers, affiliate marketing is a key part of making a location-independent life work.
Stay motivated when working remotely.
Whether you’re employed by someone else or self-employed, staying motivated without a traditional office requires self-discipline. Set a designated work schedule, create deadlines, and work ahead to avoid stress from last-minute tasks. These practices help you remain productive while preserving time for travel and exploration.
How becoming a digital nomad changed my life.
Learning how to become a digital nomad transformed our lives. We travel full-time, experience new places and adventures, and build a thriving business at the same time. The views from our RV window—from national parks to mountain ranges—are unforgettable.
Being a digital nomad should be about enjoying life. Traveling only to hide in hotel rooms isn’t the point—get out, explore, and make the most of your journey.
The next steps if you want to become a digital nomad.
If the location-independent lifestyle appeals to you, plan carefully. Being mobile still requires earning money and managing practical matters. Consider these essential questions before you begin:
- Figure out how you’ll support yourself. Decide whether you’ll convert a current job to remote work, start your own business, or find work locally as you travel. Research income options and test them before you go full-time.
- Create a plan. Plan for finances, savings, duration of travel, health insurance, a possible home base, mail handling, internet access, and visas if needed. Preparing ahead reduces stress on the road.
- Decide your pace. How quickly you move will affect your work options and where you can access reliable internet. Choose a travel pace that fits your income strategy and lifestyle goals.
Do you want to become a digital nomad? Where would you like to travel?