Mar
The Economics of the Modern Nomadic Lifestyle
If you've read enough travel blogs, chances are that you've encountered stories and articles about one very specific type of traveller: the modern nomad. For many of us, the nomadic lifestyle is thought of as something that died out with the agricultural revolution some 7,000 years ago. The truth, however, is very, very different. The modern world, with its vast economic opportunities, has produced an entirely new breed of nomad, one that lives for the thrill of seeing new places and having new experiences. In this article, we'll take a look at the economic trends that have produced the modern nomad and allow him or her to travel the world without a permanent place of residence or a traditional job.
How the Modern Nomad Lives
This is a difficult aspect of the nomadic lifestyle to define, as it will be slightly different for each individual person who adopts it. As a general rule, however, the modern nomad lives a life in which he or she travels to a given destination for a period of several weeks or a few months before moving on to the next location. During this time, he or she will usually take advantage of low-cost housing options, such as hostels or temporary room shares. This not only provides the constant traveller with an inexpensive place to briefly call home, but also gives him or her a better chance to mingle with locals than life in a hotel would provide.
Travel options for the modern nomad are many. Of course, airplanes will become involved from time to time, but backpacking and trains are usually much more economical. Both in this and in arranging housing, the wonders of modern technology enable someone living the nomadic lifestyle to arrange his or her travels in advance. Hostels can be found and reserved, trains can be booked and local customs can be learned all from a laptop or Smartphone, the one essential tool of someone who chooses to become nomadic in the modern world.
The Modern Nomad and Money
For many people, money is the biggest obstacle that prevents long-term travel. As we've already discussed, someone living as a nomad tends to live fairly cheaply, but income is still needed. This is where the opportunities of the modern global economy come in. With even a simple laptop, the modern nomad with a few skills can make a full time living from anywhere in the world where a Wi-Fi connection can be found. Opportunities such as freelance writing and web/graphic design, independent marketing, e-book sales and even mobile consulting allow a nomad to make money on the go. Another very popular option in this arena is online trading. For a traveller with a good understanding of financial markets, online Forex and binary options trading can provide a steady stream of income, though it is generally wise to have a back-up option for making money in down markets.
Nomadic Volunteer Opportunities
We've already discussed the ways in which the modern global economy and technology have helped to make the nomadic lifestyle possible. However, the nomad can also give economic value back through volunteer work. It is a singular and interesting fact that many of the most beautiful places in the world are also the poorest and least developed. For this reason, many nomadic travellers find that they can cheaply travel to exotic locations and find fulfilling volunteer opportunities helping those who are less fortunate than themselves. Among the most popular destinations for this type of philanthropic travel are South and Central America, where there are both amazing natural wonders to see and many opportunities to help impoverished communities through various humanitarian projects.
