Tools For Travel

I travel and work, full-time. Not everyone does. I am a software developer and am very comfortable with technology. Not everyone is. As you plan for travels, the tools you use may be far different than mine.

Many things help me save time and be comfortable as a Location Independent Professional (LIP). Below is a list of the ‘tools’ I love.

Assumptions

I have no home and carry 100% of my annual needs in 2 bags. One is 20kg and one is 12 kg, give or take a few kg.  When I fly budget airlines, with baggage weight restrictions) I ‘wear’ some of the weight during the flight. Once I’m settle in a location, I stow my big bag and use my small bag as a day pack (water, snacks, computer, reading material, whatever…)

Philosophy

Long term travel generally ends for 2 reasons rather than when you want it to end; It ends because of time or because of money money.  Those on a limited budget will often take the long and cheap solution to solve a travel problem. Others will take the quick and more expensive solution. If you have no responsibilities which require you to return ‘back home’ and you work while you travel, then the trip ends for a 3rd reason – when you want it to end.

  • Consume little, spend little. Lower your overhead and your negative affect on your surrounding. Two big advices; use cheaper dormitory hostels, avoid taxis, and watch your alcohol budget.
  • Be generous, earn a lot. Increase your output. Put your ‘all’ into everything. If working, work smarter not harder.
  • Be curious and patient.

Skills

Is your profession portable? Can you take your skills from the office to the road less traveled?

Baggage (Tips & Tips)

  • 65 Liter Night-pack – Wear it on your back. You carry it to your next hotel/hostal/apt and then it becomes your ‘closet’.  Use TSA-approved combination padlocks for all openings.
  • Day Pack – Wear it on your front or back. Comfortable, school-sized pack large enough for your computer.  Use combination padlocks for one (often hidden) passport compartment.
  • Clothes – Flip-flops, hiking boots w/ 3 socks, 7 underwear, 2 short button-down with chest pockets, 2 t-shirts, 1 cargo shorts (convertible to pants), 1 jeans, 1 swimsuit.
  • Toiletries - Shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, skin lotion, sun lotion, deodorant, good electric razor, hair gel.

Software / Services

  • Electronic Calendar – Set a reminder 1 time per month to check all your banking/finances. Set other reminders too.
  • 2 Credit Cards & 2 Debit Cards – with online banking. Use credit cards for purchases, connect all possible bills to be deducted from CREDIT cards. Pay monthly via checking accounts. Use debit cards for all ATM transactions. Having 2 of each is good for backup. Plan to call them before reaching new countries to authorize use.
  • Mint.com (Free) –  Check your balances online easily.
  • Paytrust.com (or Similar) – Accept and pay credit card bills here. Pay other bills, mail paper checks to people who need it.
  • Xoom.com – Great for international direct deposit (bank to bank) payments. This service may only be needed by entrepreneurs paying subcontractors.
  • 1 Work, 1 Personal, 1 Junk Email Address – Connect all to ONE email client (Mac Mail or similar) – When you must give an email to sign up to a website, use the junk address.
  • Facebook.com – One location to mass-communicate and post photos.
  • AwayFind.com – This freemium service allows incoming URGENT messages (email) which you deem most important (family, friends, partners, keywords, etc…) to be sent to your iPhone/Home phone/Email/Twitter/Etc… so you can resist checking your inbox incessantly.

Gadgets

  • 15″ MacBook Pro – I like that screen size. MAC or PC is cool. Whatever you like. Buy insurance for all your gadgets.
  • iTouch 32GB – For the MANY when you want to check email, watch videos, and listen to music without carrying your computer or for after your computer’s battery dies. I do not recommend an iPad. Its either an oversized iTouch or an underpowered computer depending on how you think about it.
  • Amazon Kindle with Global, Free 3G (Black and White Screen) – Paper books draw less attention, but otherwise the kindle is far far better. Don’t read ebooks with an eye-tiring color screen.
  • Cords – You will need at least an iTouch USB cable, Kindle USB cable, computer power cable, good earbud headphones, and a power adapter.

Staff

  • Tax Accountant – Unless you enjoy filing taxes, find one person who is email accessible to file for you and handle any issues.
  • Book Keeper – Unless you enjoy sending invoices and following clients, have someone do it for you. This service may only be needed by entrepreneurs paying subcontractors and being paid by clients.

 

 

Filed Under: World Travel
  • http://www.facebook.com/srivello Samuel Asher Rivello

    That is awesome!