Select Page

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. For more info please read my Disclaimer.

21 Proven Hacks to Save Money as a Digital Nomad

by | Last updated May 20, 2023

If you are just about to start your digital nomad journey, you might be worried that you don’t have enough savings to get by. After all, you have just started a new remote job and are not sure if your income is stable enough in the long run. Luckily, the digital nomad life is not as expensive as many people believe. In fact, you can save quite a lot of money while traveling if you really want to. The following list gives you some of my favorite tips on how to travel on a budget and save money as a digital nomad.

1. Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses you are going to have. Hence, there is also the biggest saving potential. Don’t assume that you have to stay in hotels while traveling! This would quickly eat up your budget and is absolutely unnecessary. Here are my top three accommodation tips:

Housesitting

How much does it cost to housesit? NOTHING! Exactly, you can stay for free in someone else’s house or apartment while they are away on vacation or on a business trip. In return, you water their plants or watch their pets.

I’ve housesat (is that even a word?!) quite a few times during the past couple of years and always loved it. It’s a great way to get in touch with locals and to live like locals. There is no better way to get to know about their lifestyle. On top of it, I love being surrounded by cats and dogs and whatnot. So I’m happy to take care of them, especially, when I get free accommodation for that.

Digital Nomad Accommodation, Places to Live Abroad, Long-Term Travel

The easiest way to find open housesitting options is via platforms like Housecarer. You only pay a small fee to get access to countless opportunities around the world. This will pay off big time!

Go Local

In case you cannot find a housesitting place in the area where you want to stay next, you should check locally before you book something online. By that I mean:

  1. Arrive at the place and get a hotel room or Airbnb for the first couple of nights.
  2. Walk or drive around and ask if there are short or long-term rentals available.

Why is that such a great solution? Many locals are renting out lovely little apartments without offering them somewhere on the internet. They just hang a sign at the door or wait for someone to refer them. So ask your hotel owner, other nomads along the way, or the staff at cafes or restaurants if they know places for rent. You will be surprised how much cheaper you can find accommodation that way.

Stay longer

Easy one: The longer you stay, the better rates you get. No matter where you book it. If you only stay a couple of nights, you pay more per night than if you stayed for a month or two. Owners don’t have to look for new tenants, don’t have vacant rooms and therefore can get you a discount.

Plus, it is so much better to stay somewhere longer. You can really soak up the local life, get to know the culture, and are also more productive with your work because you have more time.

House Sitting Abroad, Long-Term Accommodation for Digital Nomads and Travelers, Free Rent, Pet Sitting, House sitting Opportunities

2. Transport

Transport is another aspect that usually costs a lot of money. Again, you can save a lot here:

Skyscanner

I love booking my flights with Skyscanner. First of all, it shows you the cheapest flights you can find. But what I love even more is the way how you can find them, for instance:

  • If you don’t have set dates when you want to fly, you can select “entire month” and it shows you the prices for each day. That makes it super easy to find the cheapest.
  • If you don’t mind which city you want to fly to, you can also simply type in the country you want to go to and it will show you the cheapest city.
  • If you don’t care at all where you go next, you can also leave the destination field blank and it will show you the cheapest flights going out from your departure city or country. Super handy for flexible nomads!

Public Transport

You should also consider public transport whenever possible. Taxis from airports to city centers are often very expensive. Big cities will surely have a public transport system in place to take you there at a fraction of a taxi fee. That can be trains, busses, or local shared buses. I try to use them whenever possible.

Depending on the city you are arriving in and the time of the day, you might want to google the safety situation beforehand. Some public transport can be a bit dodgy, especially in the middle of the night.

3. Banking

I don’t even want to know how much money I’ve spent on withdrawal fees in the first few years of my travels! Definitely a few hundred dollars! Don’t be like me but do it right from the very beginning:

N26  & Wise Borderless

Today I mainly use my bank account with N26 and Wise, formerly TransferWise, Borderless to withdraw money and make payments. This is why:

  • Their bank accounts don’t cost a single cent.
  • They can easily be opened online (no need to go to any branch or fill out any paperwork!).
  • They don’t charge withdrawal fees for many countries.
  • And they have super smart apps to use.

They have saved me so much money and I wouldn’t want to travel without them!

Learn more about why I love them so much in my N26 review and Wise review.

Wise, formerly TransferWise

In addition, Wise, formerly TransferWise, is also my go-to tool to transfer money from one currency to another because it is the cheapest and most reliable option. This comes particularly handy when your clients or customers are using different currencies and you have to exchange them all the time. #digitalnomadproblems

N26 Review Debit Card

4. Travel Insurance

Yes, you need travel or international health insurance. I will not get tired of telling people how important this is. Many want to save money and don’t get one, thinking that they will be ok. (Read here why this is a very dangerous thought.) While some insurance providers are indeed pricey, there are a few very reasonable options out there:
 

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a bit of a new kid on the insurance block. Although they have not been around for as long as many others, their monthly rates are super cheap, starting from only $42.

While you can’t cover your equipment with them, they still take care of all the necessary health-related things, like emergency medical treatments or hospital stays. You also do not need a (registered) residence in your home country or anywhere else, which comes in handy for all the “homeless” nomads amongst us.

Digital Nomad Insurance - SafetyWing

Insured Nomads

Insured Nomads is a relatively new company, founded in 2019. Here you can pick between travel insurance and health insurance. While the first one covers you for single or multiple trips throughout the year, the latter one allows you to live and work wherever you want.

The prices are a bit higher than the SafetyWing plans but then again they also offer things like mental health therapy or dental and maternity treatments.

Digital Nomad Insurance - Insured Nomads

5. Food

Food is obviously another big part of your daily expenses. The good news: In many regions of the world it will be super easy to get something cheap to eat. Want to make it even cheaper? Check out these two tips:

Eat like locals

If you eat in tourist restaurants all the time, you will not only miss out on more authentic local dishes but also pay more. Watch where and what locals eat. Prices will be much less in local restaurants or at street food stalls.

Buy at markets

If you prefer preparing your own food, make sure you buy seasonal fresh produce at local markets. The fruits and veggies are super fresh and you support local farmers. If you go to big fancy supermarkets, you will often pay more because of the packaging, transport, and maybe even import.

6. Working Space

Work is obviously a huge part of being a digital nomad. Hence, there is much saving potential. You need good internet and a nice and inspiring place to get your work done. Here are you cheapest options:

Cafés

Most cafes offer free WIFI today that is decent enough to do your work. All you need to pay for are your drinks and food (please don’t sit in a crowded café all day consuming only one cup of coffee, that’s not nice). It’s also a great place to connect with others, especially if they are working there regularly, too. On the downside, the busy and noisy environment is not for everyone, as your productivity may suffer.

Your Accommodation

Again, this one totally depends on what kind of working person you are. I personally love working from home, where it’s quiet and I can fully focus on my work. Others hate being alone at home all day and can’t get much done there at all.

If you do want to work from your accommodation, make sure (before you book it) that the internet is working and that you have a proper desk and chair. You don’t want to work from your bed all day! That’s not going to work.

Check out these productivity hacks that will help you work from home.

Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces are often not a great place to save money as a digital nomad. Especially the big chains, like WeWork, can be super expensive. If you still prefer working from there, make sure you book them long-term. They usually come much cheaper if you book for 1-3 months instead of on a daily basis.

If you only stay in town for a few days, look for places that offer free visitor passes, which allow you to work there for free all day or at least a few hours.

You could also see if you can find smaller or newer coworking spaces. They will probably have cheaper rates.

Local SIM cards

Do you need reliable mobile internet to work anywhere and anytime? This doesn’t have to be expensive. A great way to get cheap internet is by buying local SIM cards wherever you go and topping them up with data volume. If you don’t want to change the SIM card in your phone, get a mobile hotspot. You can insert the card and get WIFI for your phone and laptop.

Start a side hustle when having a full-time job

7. Exploring

Of course, you don’t only want to work but also explore the new country and region you are traveling to. There are a few ways how you can do so and save money at the same time.

Free walking tours

There are so many cities that offer free walking tours. You don’t always have to book an expensive bus or even a private tour to get to know the area. Walking tours are often done by locals with a passion for their city. A great way to get information and details that a normal tour guide might not tell you. And again, this is a fantastic way to make friends while traveling.

Bikes or scooters

If you want to explore the area on your own, bicycles or scooters are a great and cheap option. You are more flexible than when using public transport and it is cheaper than taxis. On top of it, it’s more fun and cycling helps you keep fit.

Local bars

Tourist bars might look fancy but drinks are also more expensive. If you want to save money and go out as locals do, go to local bars. They are often smaller, hidden inside roads, and cannot be found on TripAdvisor and such. But it’s surely a great experience and way cheaper.

Hostels

If you are young (at heart) and want to go out and save money, check out hostels. The bigger ones often have a bar that is open to everyone even if you are not a guest. Prices for drinks are usually super cheap and it is incredibly easy to connect with other travelers. If that’s your thing, many hostels also offer pub crawls where you check out several bars and pubs and get cheaper entrance and drinks.

Bonus Tip: Make a plan

To get a better feeling of what you are spending, you should make a financial plan. That could be a simple Excel sheet, where you list every single dollar that you spend throughout the month – a cup of coffee, lunch, bus tickets, etc. I know this sounds a bit crazy and over the top but it’s super interesting and helpful to see.

I’ve done that a couple of times and trust me, you’ll be surprised how much money you really spend in a month! This also helps you identify potential areas to save money. If you realize that you’ve spent a lot on alcohol during the past four weeks, you might think twice about the obligatory drink every night. Good for your savings and your health.

Also, make a plan on how much you want to spend each month at a maximum and regularly compare your target to your actual spending. This will help you make adjustments before you end up broke.

Bonus tip 2: Extra bank account

As soon as you have a little bit of spare money, put it in an extra bank account. If you keep your money easily available all the time, you will spend it. “Oh, I’ve got so much money in my bank account, of course, I will buy that expensive shirt that I don’t need at all and might hardly ever wear.”

Keep your savings out of sight and only use them for things that you really need or that bring you true joy – not on impulsive shopping trips.

Save Money and Live Cheaper Than Ever Before

As you can see, there are quite a few things you can do to get along on a tight budget. I personally live way cheaper as a digital nomad than when I was still living in “my old life”.

One of the main reasons for that is, of course, that I usually stay in cheaper regions like South East Asia, Eastern Europe, or Latin America instead of Central Europe or North America. However, the mentioned tips help me a lot and I’m sure I’ve saved a couple of thousand dollars implementing them.

I hope they will help you just as much. If you have any additional tips, please let me know in the comments below!

Denise Mai

Denise Mai

Founder of Digital Nomad Soul

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by! My name is Denise and I have been working online for more than 10 years. In the past, I worked as a remote employee and freelancer & managed to build a six-figure online business. I know that many others would love to work from home or work while traveling, too. That’s why I want to share my experience and help you on your way to your remote career!

You May Also Like

Modern Sabbaticals – 17+ Ways How to Take a Remote Year

Modern Sabbaticals – 17+ Ways How to Take a Remote Year

Later could mean you are less physically able. Later could mean you don’t have money anymore or need to take care of loved ones. Later could mean never. More and more people have realized that waiting for retirement to do all the fun things they’ve always wanted to do...

18 Work-from-Home Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Data

18 Work-from-Home Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Data

I know, I know. Data security is not exactly the most exciting topic. However, when you work from home or work remotely in general, is it your duty to make sure your data is safe. So to make it as easy as possible for you, I’ve collected a list of 18 of the most...

16 Fun Jobs that Pay You to Travel the World

16 Fun Jobs that Pay You to Travel the World

Many people dream about traveling the world but it’s the money that holds them back. Traveling to faraway countries doesn’t come for free and many of us simply don’t have the budget to travel for weeks, months, or even years in a row.  Wouldn’t it be great if you...

12 Digital Nomad Dating Apps – How to Date as a Digital Nomad?

12 Digital Nomad Dating Apps – How to Date as a Digital Nomad?

Dating as a digital nomad is hard. You are constantly on the move, travel a lot, and oftentimes don’t work the usual 9 to 5. Although, the digital nomad lifestyle is becoming more and more popular, finding love is still tricky. Luckily, there are quite a few digital...

13 Best Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads in 2023

13 Best Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads in 2023

  Did you know that you can’t just save money by using certain credit cards while traveling but actually MAKE money by using the right ones? That’s right! You can get money for free with travel credit cards via cashback, rewards, or sign-up bonuses. That’s why...

9 Surprises Of The Digital Nomad Experience To Expect

9 Surprises Of The Digital Nomad Experience To Expect

  Despite all of the exhaustive research, preparing, and planning you’ve done to finally launch into your digital nomad experience, as soon as you embark, some huge surprises will still crash into you like waves.  If you’re not prepared for them, they could...

2 Comments

  1. Absolutely, it helps a lot to keep your finances under control! Thanks, Sean!

  2. Great post Denise. The Spreadsheet is crucial. Despite being location independent and free you still need to be organised and plan – otherwise it won’t work out. Cheers.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Zero to Remote Work Success

Online Course Bundle - small

Get the most comprehensive online course on Remote Work now!

8 Best Online Chat Support Jobs from Home for Beginners

Online Chat Support Jobs are brilliant job options for remote workers and digital nomads. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a laptop. Most of the time, you don’t need a degree or previous experience. You also don’t need to do any phone calls which...

Insured Nomads Review 2023: A Legit Insurance for Digital Nomads?

Insured Nomads is a relatively new insurance company for travelers and remote workers. In this Insured Nomads review, we want to look at what exactly is covered by the policy and what isn’t covered. We are also going to learn how much Insured Nomads costs and if it’s...

How to Avoid Burnout As a Digital Nomad

  Living the dream of working remotely while exploring the world is an incredible opportunity. You get to quite literally design your own life and fill it with excitement and adventure, constantly hopping from one tantalizing place to another. But here’s the deal…...

FlexJobs Logo

Find Remote Jobs from Home –
Part-Time & Full-Time!

Flexible, Beginner-Friendly & Scam-Free