Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 51)
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Luxury Travel Tips For The Digital Nomad
The world as we know it is changing, not least with regards to work and travel. The online arena has opened the door to an array of new opportunities. This has seen the travelling digital nomad become a growing phenomenon.
A digital nomad is essentially someone that travels around the world, working for clients via the internet. Their works could involve anything from accounting to web design. In many cases, individuals will work for the same clients again and again. This creates a work situation that’s as stable as standard employment, only with all the freedom of being able to travel.
It’s certainly an attractive way of life for thousands of millennials. Still, it’s imperative that the right steps are taken to promote a luxury lifestyle. Follow these top 10 tips, and you won’t go far wrong.
#1. Always Travel In Style
A digital nomad may travel to new locations every few days. However, even if you wish to stay in a specific location for weeks or months, it’s important to get the travel aspects right. When the journey is uncomfortable or inadequate, your enthusiasm will fade. In addition to feeling drained, you’ll be left dreading the return journey.
If travelling long distances, breaking up the journey can be highly beneficial. In fact, you may even want to turn the stop-off into a short adventure in itself. Alternatively, though, you could like a private chartered plane for the truly luxurious feel. Whichever option you take, the time of day you fly is crucial.
Packing a few travel essentials to make the time fly on those long journeys is pivotal too, especially if you have internal legs to consider.
#2. Hire A Car
The quality of public transport infrastructures can fluctuate from one destination to the next. Still, if you wish to enjoy a slice of the good life, you’ll want to avoid it where possible. After all, the luxurious atmosphere is soon lost when you’re stuck on a hot and sweaty bus that turned up an hour late.
Finding a luxury holiday rental car is easy, and will leave you prepared for short stays in new locations. When planning to spend a little longer in a destination, you may wish to lease a car for a few months. In either scenario, a good quality vehicle is essential.
It’s always worth downloading Uber or similar Apps too for when you’re out without the car. This mode of transport is far quicker and more comfortable.
#3. Opt For Hot Climates
Let’s face it; working from a beachside bar with the backdrop of sea and sand will be very calming indeed. Better still, once work is finished, you’ll be ready to enjoy the sun. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a friend, or as a family doesn’t matter. This will always be far more enjoyable than sitting indoors after work due to the rain.
Days off will be far more enjoyable when you have water parks and similar amusements to enjoy. Besides, this it’s often easier to meet new people when the weather is nice. For starters, there are more people around. Secondly, everyone will be in a far happier mood.
Simply spending your days in shorts and a t-shirt will be put a smile on your face. If this doesn’t help you appreciate the benefits of not being stuck in your old job, what will?
#4. Stay In Luxury
Accommodation choices are crucial for any adventure, even when it’s only a weekend city break. As a digital nomad, it’s even more significant as failure to get this right will inevitably start to take its toll after a few weeks. In truth, the longer you plan to stay in a specific location, the more important this element becomes.
Luxury doesn’t always have to come at a premium cost. While staying in a hotel may seem great at the start, nothing beats the homely vibe. Whether it’s finding a flat for rent in Singapore or a rental villa in Spain, the privacy is vital. In many cases, the location will be far more suitable too, especially if you want to see the authentic culture.
When your daily home life is comfortable, you’ll be more productive at work and happier during leisure activities. Frankly, that won’t change regardless of where you live.
#5. Plan Day Trips
As the old cliché states; all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. Wherever you decide to base your new adventures, there will be plenty of things to see and do. Unfortunately, enjoying an extended amount of time in this destination makes it easier to keep putting those visits off.
However, getting out there to enjoy everything this location has to offer is essential. Guidebooks and travel sites can inform you about the local tourist attractions. Online resources like Time Out can teach you about all the various ongoings, and cultural events. Of course, the exact research tools will depend largely on your temporary city. Local people will provide great insight too.
Creating magical memories is the most important part of any trip, luxurious or otherwise. Do not forget it for a second.
#6. Seek Financial Benefits
One of the best things about being a digital nomad is that you can charge clients the same cost irrespective of where you are temporarily based. Therefore, to make the most of this, you should aim to find a location where the cost of living is less than back home.
When you spend less money in day-to-day life, you’ll be able to enjoy greater luxury. Moreover, funds can be saved to help you buy a house whenever you eventually find the place to settle. With bank balances increasing in spite of enjoying the perfect life, you’ll feel a massive sense of grandeur. Besides, removing those financial fears can only have a positive impact on your world.
You might do this for every destination, but keeping it in mind for the majority of your adventures will serve you well.
#7. Eat Well
Even if your bank balance can afford it, you probably won’t want to eat out every night. Besides, those travel adventures are an excellent opportunity to learn new culinary skills. Nonetheless, nothing screams luxury like a Michelin star meal in a venue that takes your breath away.
A meal cooked by online sensation Salt Bae or other famous chefs is a moment you won’t forget. Meanwhile, underwater restaurants in the Maldives and other exotic locations provide stunning experiences. As long as you don’t go OTT on the frequency of eating out at classy places, you’ll be sure to enjoy the luxury vibes again and again.
It may seem like a simple gesture of luxury. But, like many things in life, the small ideas often make the most significant impact.
#8. Find A Sky Bar
On a similar theme, finding a sky bar can be a great way to feel like you’re getting the VIP treatment. Many hotels have sky bars overlooking the surrounding area. Better still, you don’t always need to be a guest to gain access. After all, they’ll be making money off of your bar bill.
Aside from being the perfect way to enjoy the weather and the backdrops, this can be the ideal place for work. Most good hotels are blessed with good Wi-Fi signals, although you can always tether your MacBook to your iPhone. Just make sure you’ve told your service provider about your plans or buy a local SIM. Otherwise, roaming charges could be huge.
It really is difficult to beat the luxury of being up on the roof while sipping a cold drink and casually completing your work. Nevertheless, we may have found one solution.
#9. Enjoy Luxury Excursions & Tours
When you picture the A-list celebs or the millionaire entrepreneurs living in luxury, what do you see? If your answer included them sitting on a yacht, you’re not alone. This is the ultimate vision of luxury, and you enjoy it for yourself. Even if it’s only for a few hours, this will provide the luxury experiences you crave. And the photographs to back it up.
It’s unlikely that you are going to rent a luxury boat all to yourself, but you can still enjoy various cruises at sea. If this isn’t your cup of tea, then why not consider helicopter rides to overlook the city. Depending on the location luxury 4×4 cruises to the desert can be another popular option. The possibilities are almost endless.
This slice of luxury needn’t cost as much as you might fear, especially if you’re a master of haggling. Aim to do it at least once in each location.
#10. Do Things Your Way
Above all else, you should do things your way. It doesn’t matter how stylish a particular idea may seem. If it fails to put a smile on your face, it is a waste of time and money. You could be spending this time doing something productive (work) or enjoyable.
The whole point of being a digital nomad is that you can have life on your terms. Cherish it at every moment.
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How to Stay Happy and Balanced while Studying for a College Degree
Millions of people go to college to study for a degree or higher degree. A college education is seen as the best way to boost your earning potential and unlock doors into a career where you can potentially enjoy a job for life. Colleges tell prospective students how much fun they are going to have and the whole college experience is a non-stop party. They also tell them that although the work may be tough, the college years are the best years of your life!
All of these things are true for some students, but as many students subsequently find out, going to college is not always as easy as colleges make out. The combination of being away from home, trying to make new friends, and learning tough new material proves to be toxic for some students. Most settle within a month or two, but some can’t cope and end up dropping out.
Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you or your child. Here are a few things we recommend that you do to make the transition from school to college a bit easier.
Choose the Right Degree Course
College is hard enough, so you really need to love your major if the experience is to be a positive one. Do not rush into choosing a major without giving the matter some serious thought. Just because someone else thinks the course is perfect for you, it doesn’t mean they are right. Study a subject you are happy with and if it turns out to be a bad choice, look at switching to a different major.
Study Online
There is no law that says you have to enroll on a traditional campus-based university. Online courses are just as good these days, so if you want to be a counselor, look into studying for an online masters in counseling. A masters of counseling online is flexible, and you can continue living at home and enjoying extra support with your studies. Online degrees are also cheaper, which in this day and age makes a big difference.
Try Extra Curricular Activities
It can be hard to make friends if you are shy and introverted, but unless you make an effort to put yourself out there, you will struggle to make connections. Colleges have plenty of clubs and groups for people with similar interests. You could even try finding some school trips to London, and make suggestions for your societies and classes to travel. This will help to bring you all as you can share some wonderful experiences abroad as a class. Try and join at least two when you start college, even if you are shy. And remember, everyone else is in the same boat as you, so just because they look super confident, it doesn’t mean they aren’t faking it!
Eat a Healthy Diet
You won’t have much money, but nevertheless, try to eat healthy food while you are at college. The better your diet is, the easier it will be to keep your weight under control and your immune system in good working order.
Lastly, make sure you get enough sleep, as a lack of sleep could adversely affect your mental health.
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How to bring fun back to travel
As a travel blogger, I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world. But, like most travel bloggers, I’ve struggled with travel burnout. When you’re constantly dealing with jetlag, airport security, and packing and unpacking your clothes, it can be easy to feel like travel is a chore.
This doesn’t mean I’m complaining- I still have one of the best jobs in the world. But if you can relate to this, I’ve got some tips to help you bring the fun back to travel:
Plan ahead
If you’re someone who likes to fly by the seat of your pants while travelling, this may sound rather boring. And I used to be like this too. But then I discovered that the best way to take a large portion of the stress out of travel was to do the hard yards. That meant figuring out how I would get from the airport to my hotel at my new destination, arranging accommodation in advance if I knew I would be in an area for a while, and looking up some of the top attractions in the area so I already knew what kinds of things I’d like to do once I arrived. All of a sudden, travel was less stressful and more fun. Who knew?
Take travel insurance
You know what’s not fun? Worrying about your electronics when you’re in a public place as you can’t afford to have them stolen and you don’t have any insurance. You know what’s even less fun? Getting sick and wondering if you can afford to see a local doctor, or whether you should just tough it out.
Once I made travel insurance a non-negotiable, I enjoyed way more peace of mind. All of a sudden I had a back-up plan, and I knew I would always be ok if I was seriously sick or injured overseas. Do yourself a favour and compare travel insurance with Webjet before your next flight.
Choose your trip
While I’m a big fan of getting off the beaten path, sometimes you just want to lie in the sun with a good book. These days, if you’re not hiking the Inca Trail or getting food poisoning in Cambodia, you’re not truly “travelling.” Once I stopped caring what others thought about my travel plans, I began to book trips that I was truly looking forward to. One of these was a 10-day trip in Mexico where I consumed far too many margaritas and put my back out while reaching for my drink. Another is a cruise I’ll be going on later this year. If this sounds like you, check out Webjet cruise deals.
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Three Top Tips to Keep Your Home Safe and Secure whilst You’re Travelling
The start of the year is when a lot of us like to book our holidays. With the grey days of winter hanging over us like a dark cloud, the soft drizzle of rain wetting our cheeks whenever we step outside the house, and the anti-climax that always follows Christmas and New Year, it’s nice to give yourself something to look forward to, and some time away is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Once you have your holiday booked, it’s never too early to start planning your time away, from your wardrobe choices through to who you’ll entrust with the care of your pets. One of your most important considerations will be how to keep your house safe and secure, and you can organise this in advance too.
If you need to keep your home protected whilst you’re away, whether you’re travelling in the dreary days of March or the blazing sunshine of June, here are three top tips to help you…
#1: Organise Someone to Visit Your Property
There will always be opportunists who strike when the time is right, but most career thieves are a little more cautious. Crime prevention surveys have shown that the majority of offenders perform some surveillance before committing a burglary, so one of the best ways to deter them is to leave behind subtle signs that your home is occupied. The simplest way to do this is to have someone visiting daily. Ask them to open or close a different set of curtains each time they stop by, or else to move your bins from one location to another. Provided that it looks like there is someone in residence, your home should be no more at risk than it is when you’re around. If you are going away for an extended period of time, you could try and find some vacant property security. This will put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy your holiday a lot more.
#2: Create Deterrents
As we explained above, most burglaries are not opportunistic, so if you can make your home seem like it’s more effort than it’s worth to break into, then this should act as a fantastic deterrent. The longer it would take a thief to gain access, the better, so take the time to ensure that all of your doors and windows are fitted with strong locks, along with your garage doors and garden gates. Floodlights and visible alarm systems will also make your home much harder to sneak into, so it may be a good idea to invest in these before you go. You might want to take a look at this article from HomeLet for some more in-depth ideas.
#3: Ensure that Your Insurance Will Cover You
As a closing precaution, you ought to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover in place should the worst happen. It’s a good idea to look for a comprehensive policy, preferably one that will cover you for contents too. Be sure to read the small print before you make any final decisions, so that you can fly away knowing that you have a backup plan in place in the event of your home being burgled.
Make sure that you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest by following these three top tips today, and ensuring that your home will be safe and secure whilst you’re living it up abroad.
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Becoming a landlord? Here are some tips
If you’ll soon become a landlord, congratulations! Even if you have bad credit it may help getting a mortgage with bad credit, as this will help you get on the property ladder. Property is an excellent investment, and while there are a lot of things to think about, having tenants paying off our mortgage is a great feeling.
HomeLet has created an ebook which deals with many of the recent changes to the rental market, including tips for both landlords and tenants.
Here are a few things to think about:
Think about your ideal tenant
While it’s easy to look at your property and imagine whether you would like to live there, you’ll need to decide who your ideal tenants are, and put yourselves in their shoes.
if you’re aiming to let to students, the property will need to be comfortable and easy to clean. They also often expect the property to at least have basic furniture as they may not have bought this themselves yet.
If you’re aiming for young professionals, they’re likely to like it to be stylish and modern, but they also won’t want it to quickly date.
Families will have their own furniture and belongings and are more likely to want a blank canvas.
Screen your tenants
This can seem unnecessary, particularly if you’ve met your potential tenants and they seem great. Unfortunately, though, failing to screen tenants is something that costs landlords the most money. You should definitely be asking for references so you can see that they’ve paid their rent and haven’t caused problems in the past.
Get landlords insurance
Landlords insurance will cover you for a number of things, including if the tenants stop paying rent, they damage the property, or you have a fire or flood in the house. It’s easy to compare landlord insurance to see how much you would need to pay and what would be covered, and the peace of mind you’ll have will be well worth it.
Be responsive
If you’re not using a company to manage your tenants, it’s your job to be responsive. If you lose tenants because you haven’t looked after them, you may find yourself floundering as you try to fill the gap. This can also mean that your yearly returns disappear. Your tenants need to know that if they have a problem it will quickly be resolved and they can pick up a phone and speak with someone who will help them get sorted.
Have a tenancy agreement
Your tenancy agreement will need to comply with all recent legislation, and should set out all of the obligations for your tenants, along with your rights and responsibilities. Your tenants need to sign this before moving in, and should also be provided with a copy.
Know your tenants
It’s a good idea to ask your tenants their goals before you sign with them. We learned this the hard way when our tenants moved out to buy their own property- something we weren’t expecting. By getting a feel for how long your tenants will be staying you can then plan accordingly.
Renting can be a difficult challenge, but check out Flybyblog for more tips on how to make the most of your investment property.
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Interior design to create a perfect woodland retreat vacation home
Where better to go when you need to escape, than to a woodland retreat? A place to embrace silence, fresh air and nature in comfortable surroundings makes the woodland retreat one of the favorite vacation home options.
You can understand why
Immersing yourself in Mother Nature, surrendering to the natural rhythms of the earth, climbing out of bed at sunrise, falling back in at sunset – on vacation, the simple life can be the perfect antidote to the stressful, urban grind.
If your vacation home requires a woodland retreat makeover, take inspiration from these ideas for achieving a look that echoes rustic surroundings while retaining real elegance and style.
Wood works
Whether it’s Scandinavian log cabin chic you’re aiming for, or a Scottish Highland escape, a successful woodland retreat interior draws heavily on wood. The warmth and acoustic advantages of this versatile material mean that an interior with timber floorboards, paneled walls and sleek wooden shutters has the perfect atmosphere for a vacation hideaway.
Alternative woodland cues
As well as wall-to-wall wood, there are other ways of introducing a magical, woodland atmosphere into your vacation home. An entrance lobby with forest-themed wallpaper featuring trees or foliage, or a digital photographic mural, pulls you straight into a woodland world. You could even use different coloured acrylic from a Perspex supplier. This can add a range of different textures and make your rooms feel extra cosy! Using earthy shades such as mossy greens, browns and creams reinforces the natural feel and creates a relaxing, soothing interior.
Warm hearth
A warming wood burner accompanied by a basket full of logs makes a wonderful focal point in the main living area. Sofas and armchairs in seasoned leather, draped with blankets and throws in complementary colors will make you want to linger. A library stocked with books about the local flora and fauna enables guests to look up and identify what they see on their day hikes. Consider also a pair of binoculars and a telescope for stargazing on those clear, dark nights.
Sleep soundly
In bedrooms, try wooden canopy beds with silk vines and greenery entwined up the posts. A welcoming bed layered with blankets, throws, furs and cushions allows you to keep cozy and warm on cold nights. A wooden mirror draped with greenery and fairy lights turns a dull bedroom into a magical, woodland den.
It’s in the detail
The accessories in a woodland retreat themed interior should take their cues from the outside environment. Objects such as feathers, pebbles, leaves, pinecones and small tree branches look great arranged as a still life on a windowsill. Feathers, flowers and leaves can be framed and mounted on walls for decorative effect. Taxidermy, either real or fake, brings the outdoors inside in a truly unique way. You could even look for some lovely worktops to add a feature point in a room. You can look into worktops near you and select some beautiful ones.
Woodland creatures such as owls, foxes, rabbits and deer can be referenced in motifs on cushions, crockery, table linens, textiles and more. Look out for interesting items such as twig-handled flatware, candleholders, lamp-stands and picture frames with woodland detailing that fits your theme.
Vacation time spent close to nature is always worthwhile – and when you can do that in a stylish and comfortable woodland retreat, what could be better?
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Top Travel Destinations for the Perfect Proposal
Planning to propose to your other half? Want to make sure it’s the most romantic moment you’ve had together so far? Then here are some of the world’s most jaw-dropping locations that are perfect for getting down on one knee at.
All you need to do is plan your trip in advance, set the mood and most importantly of all – don’t forget to pack the engagement ring!
The Trevi Fountain in Rome
Rome is known as a city of romance, and the Trevi Fountain is one of its most iconic landmarks. This beautiful fountain will create the most stunning backdrop for your proposal. You could even get the perfect vintage engagement ring from Berganza.com, making the moment extra special. Just make sure you’ve got someone on standby to take a photo and don’t forget to throw a coin in the fountain too. Folklore suggests that anyone who throws a coin in the Trevi Fountain (with their right hand and over their left shoulder) will return to Rome again one day. On your honeymoon perhaps?
The Grand Canyon in Arizona
If you’ve got your sights set on a breath-taking location for your proposal, it doesn’t get much better than America’s Grand Canyon. This sensational gorge was crafted by the Colorado River over six million years ago and is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. With the vast landscape behind you, your partner is sure to say “yes” when you pop the question – just make sure you aren’t teetering too close to the edge when you make the move!
Maya Beach in Thailand
For those amongst you who are looking for a tranquil, idyllic location, Thailand’s Maya Beach could be the destination you’ve been looking for. With its white sandy beaches, clear blue water, stunning cliff faces and tropical climate, this location has got it all. Choose between a sun-kissed proposal on a secluded part of the beach or a sunset proposal as the sun goes down.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris
As one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower has been home to many proposals, including some celebrity ones (i.e. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes). Nestled amongst the bustling streets of Paris with warm cosy cafes, stunning architecture and rich history, this is the perfect destination if you’re looking to combine your proposal with a romantic city break. And, the beauty of Paris is it isn’t too far to travel to, providing you with the ideal opportunity to whisk your partner away on the holiday of a lifetime.
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How to file your tax on worldwide income
If you’re an American living abroad, your tax obligations are a little bit more complicated than most other nationalities.
You may assume that if you’re not earning money in the United States, you have no obligation to file a tax return each year. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Luckily, Taxes for Expats can help get you sorted. The service will do all the hard work for you so you can make sure you meet all your tax obligations and don’t end up with a hefty bill (or fines).
This isn’t just a digital solution. These are human experts who have been working in the industry for at least 10 years (half of them have more than 20 years of industry experience). They’re also well-versed in US tax law, and since work is completed in the United States by US citizens, you can rest assured that your information is in safe hands.
Taxes for Expats double checks all of your data. At least two professionals check your tax return to make sure the best solutions are found for you. One of the great things about this service? The pricing. Many people may be hesitant to try a service like this for the first time since no one wants to feel like they’re at risk of getting a big bill. But with Taxes for Expats, all of the fees are agreed to beforehand, and you can easily see how much you’ll be paying for the service. You may also want to check out the FBAR form which is often overlooked. Taxes for Expats only charge $75 for this form.
One of the things that make the system so easy to use? The client portal. Check it out below:
As you can see it’s super user-friendly and intuitive.
In this day and age, most of us are also concerned about who our data is being shared with. Taxes for Expats keeps all data strictly to itself- it doesn’t share any of it with third parties- even on the cloud.
When you’re completing the questionnaire, you’ll find it super easy to do, with no Excel spreadsheets or Word files making life difficult.
Taxes for Expats also have excellent support, including live chat and 18-hour phone support. If you’d like to get started, you can register on the Taxes for Expats website to get started. You’ll just complete a questionnaire and sign a letter. Once the team have completed your tax return you’ll pay and then review the return.
If you’re an American living abroad, you really can’t go wrong with a service like Taxes for Expats. Make life easy for yourself and use this service next time you need to file your taxes.
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Love Traveling? Why Not Try Something More Permanent?
There are plenty of us who would be more than happy to live in one place where their entire lives, never leaving the town, they were born in or seeking out new experiences any further afield. Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, as the old saying goes, different strokes for different folks, but for many other people, there’s always there’s that pull. The call to adventure from some far off place that makes them want to pack their bags and experience something new. Of course, even for those who do hear that call, the idea of actually doing it can be incredibly scary, especially if you’re thinking about going somewhere new permanently. However, if you’re the kind of person who can’t resist the call to adventure then here are a few reasons why living abroad might well be the perfect thing for you.
It allows you to broaden your mind
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to some home comforts every now and again. However, if you spend all of your time within your comfort zone, then you’re never really going to get the chance to grow or develop as a person. This is why so many people who never leave their hometown don’t seem quite as plugged into the world around them as those who’ve tried to branch out and experience new things, cultures, people, and places. Being able to immerse yourself in someone else’s culture and learn about it can not only give you a better appreciation for them and their country, but it can also help to give you a greater understanding of the world around you as a whole. It can stop you from taking things for granted or making assumptions that might be based on things that you should perhaps be questioning. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should reject your home and claim that everything about it is bad, but rather that learning about another culture can teach you to see your own much more clearly.
You can learn who you really are
A lot of us are quite heavily defined by the context that we’re in. If that sounds a little bit odd don’t worry, it’s actually pretty simple. The truth is that we all have a lot of personal history that surrounds us all of the time. Old friends, parents, the sites of breakups, makeups, first kisses, and parties gone too far. Because of this, it can be very easy to build up an image of yourself that is entirely based on these things. You imagine that you know who you are because of all the things that you’ve done and how they colour how other people see you. However, if you move to a totally new country, then that’s not really possible anymore. Moving somewhere new puts you in the position where you can’t rely on people’s perceptions of you in order to define yourself. You’ve got to figure out who you really are completely removed from your personal history and baggage. This can be pretty scary for a lot of people, but it can also be incredibly freeing. After all, not only can you get to know yourself but you even have the chance to completely reinvent yourself. Any mistakes that you’ve made in the past don’t need to follow you there. You can be a whole new person, and who you want to be is entirely up to you!
It offers new career opportunities
It really is amazing to think about just how interconnected the world really is these days. There was a time when many people were limited to careers exclusively in their immediate vicinity. But now, thanks to the internet, you can search for career opportunities all across the globe. Whether you’re a creative type, you have a business brain, or you want to teach and share knowledge with other people, the fact that you can now search for jobs among thousands upon thousands of different companies means that you’re almost guaranteed to find something that’s absolutely perfect for you. And that can help you take that next, crucial step towards your ultimate career goals that you might never have found if you were forced to only look within your home country.
It’s a surprisingly good way to save money
When people think of travelling to new places they often think first about the costs involved. However, travelling to a new country and actually working and living there are two extremely different things. Getting into the world and renting a studio apartment in a new country can be one of the best things you can do if you’re looking to save money on your monthly expenses! Plenty of countries both in Europe and Asia are incredibly inexpensive, and you can live a much more luxurious life there without spending half of what you would for the same things, or worse, back home.
You only live once!
As obnoxious as the term “YOLO” might be, it’s hard to deny that it doesn’t have at least a little grain of wisdom behind it. After all, the idea that “you only live once” has a lot of value as a personal philosophy. If you really do only live once then why shouldn’t you try to squeeze every last drop out of your life? Shouldn’t you be willing to try something brave and new, rather than staying in the same old bubble day in and day out? Living in another country might not change you as a person or find you your perfect career, but no matter what you get out of it, it’s sure to be an experience!
Of course, it’s important to remember that moving to the other side of the world can be a seriously big decision and not only that you should take without giving it some serious thought. However, if you’ve done your research and you’ve given it a good amount of thought, then the worst thing that you can do is to let fear hold you back from something that you really want. If it’s what you really want, then you shouldn’t let anything stand between you and being able to explore that brave new world!
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My top travel tips after years of wandering the globe
If you’re planning to travel sometime soon, a few smart travel tips can make your holiday go much more smoothly. Here are some of my top travel tips:
Get up early
If you’re hoping to beat the crowds and the heat, get up at sunrise to get the best photos and avoid hundreds of tourists in your space. You’ll also be able to be the first in line for attractions- saving you hours spent waiting in peak season. You can always take a nap later on in the afternoon and avoid the hottest part of the day before going out to explore when the temperature is cooler.
Take extra cash
You never know when an ATM will decide to eat your card, run out of money, or worse- deduct money from your account but not pay you out the cash. Pickpockets are also everywhere, and it’s easy to lose your wallet or credit card while you’re travelling. For this reason, you should always have some extra cash available. Stash a few hundred dollars but split it up and put it in different places. One of my friends likes to keep a $50 note in her (closed) shoe. Another friend keeps cash in an empty can of deodorant she cut open.
Back it up
These days, backing up your important documents is easier than ever before. I use Dropbox and Google Drive, but you can also use an external hard drive if necessary. Keep digital copies of your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, travel insurance policies, visas, and receipts for any electronics you have insured.
Shop around
I like to begin comparing flights weeks before I need to buy them. That way, I can get an idea of how much my flight will cost, which airlines I have to choose from, common stopover destinations, and flight times. By keeping an eye on my flights, I was recently able to grab some Webjet cheap flights from London to Washington DC when prices fell by more than a third.
Be open to new experiences
For many long-term travellers, being uncomfortable becomes a source of pride. I always stayed in hostels, would take a bus for 30 hours instead of paying for a flight, and always had to be doing activites once I was on the ground. This all changed after a holiday in Mexico where I laid on the beach with a margarita in my hand, ate delicious meals out, and went scuba diving in Playa Del Carmen. We stayed in an all-inclusive hotel and it was bliss. While I still like to take active holidays, I always keep an eye on Webjet travel packages to see if there’s a chance for me to take a truly relaxing holiday.
