Remote work for nomads: A realistic income guide

Most people think(hope) remote work means sitting on a beach with a laptop, but anyone who actually lives this life knows the truth. It usually means hunting for a signal behind a coffee shop or trying to join a meeting while your van's house batteries are screaming at you. I’ve been living this reality since 2009, and I’ve learned that if you want to stay on the road, you need an income stream that doesn't require a 9 to 5 office cubicle.

I just had two weeks off from school, and I worked my ass off to finish this digital guide before I head back to class tomorrow. I didn't want to go back to my studies until I had a resource ready for those of you struggling to find a sustainable way to fund your travels.

The reality of finding remote work as a nomad

The biggest issue with most remote work opportunities is that they assume you have a stable desk and high-speed fiber internet. For those of us living off-grid, that’s rarely the case. Whether you are looking for best jobs for remote work or trying to build your own business, you need a strategy that accounts for the instability of travel.

I spent my entire break documenting the affiliate marketing system I use. It is a specific type of work that allows for the flexibility you need when you're moving between campsites or dealing with unexpected mechanical issues.

Balancing school and remote work requirements

Working my way through my school break was a reminder of how much discipline this lifestyle takes. I put in the hours now so that I don't have to worry about my budget later. This new guide is designed for people who are tired of the "hustle culture" lies and want a straightforward breakdown of how to generate remote work income through affiliate marketing.

How to transition into remote work

Making the jump to remote work requires more than just a laptop. You need to understand how to choose a niche that actually pays and how to set up your digital assets so they run in the background. My guide covers the technical side of things that most influencers skip because it isn't "pretty" enough for a photo.

I’ve focused on the gritty details of affiliate marketing because it is one of the most accessible forms of remote work for beginners. It doesn't require you to ship physical products from a tiny van, and it doesn't require you to be on a live phone call at 2:00 PM when you're trying to outrun a wind storm.

Starting your remote work journey today

I’m headed back to class tomorrow morning, but I’m leaving you with a roadmap. The road is only getting more expensive, and relying on savings is a recipe for a short trip. Establishing a reliable form of remote work is the only way to ensure you can keep the wheels turning for the long haul. This guide is the culmination of my experience and the hard work I’ve put in over the last fourteen days to make sure you have the tools I didn't have when I started in 2009.