One of the biggest advantages of my job is that I can do it from anywhere on earth. Give me a ride to the moon and an internet connection, and I could make my living up there for eternity. I never set out to make it happen for myself, as every job I have had since college (until 4 years ago) was a 9-5, Monday-Friday job, but somehow it worked out that I can now make a living on my own time and from anywhere I want. Some months bring in great money while other months are painfully slow, but somehow it all evens out in the end. I would not be averse to working a part time job somewhere just to get out of the house sometimes, but I am not really keen on giving up self-employment in order to put my entire fate in the hands of someone else. I enjoy being my own boss and making my own money. Besides, it lets me do things like I am about to do, without any worries…
I am going on a month-long road trip.
With a suitcase and my laptop computer, I am going to hit the road and visit friends, family, and attend my brother’s wedding. I will be crisscrossing the states from west to east and north to south, while continuing to do my work, get paid, and pay my bills. A key to more simple living, at least for me, is to set everything up so that I no longer have to worry about it. Less worry = less stress = a simpler life. All my income, from all sources, is automatically deposited in either my checking account or my Paypal account, depending on who it is from. All my bills are automatically charged to my Amtrak miles credit card, which is automatically paid off with a sizeable chunk sent to the credit card company every Monday. Whether at home or somewhere in Iowa, my life operates the same way, which makes being a self-employed online nomad pretty damn cool. I could never have taken an entire month off from a “real” job to travel around the country, but I can now – and it would take an awful lot of something to make me give that up.
This is my Simple. Organized. Life. – making money on my own terms, traveling when I want (and for how long), and forgoing some of the extras in life in order to be able to afford self-employment during the “bad” months throughout the year. Want a simpler life with less worry and more freedom? Figure out what you love to do and make a living at it. You may never get rich, and sure, it could take a few years to get there, but being self-employed is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself. I know it has been for me.
Well, maybe other than a chocolate donut…
Ah! If wishes were horses. I like your idea. Maybe someday I will do it if my health allows it. have a great month on the road.
Have a good time. Give a shout if you make it as far south as Florida.
Is your self employment your blog and other online writing or is it another industry?
My writing for various sites pays 99% of my bills, yes.
It is so fabulous that you have been able to set your life up this way. I’m sure that it took a lot of time “putting in your dues” doing other things to get to the point where you can live this lifestyle. Kudos!
Good for you! I’m in the same position with my small online business but I do work 2 days a week at a simple job with great people just to get away from the desk although the work is still there waiting for me when I get home so I do it at night. My goal in a few years is to travel to Japan every year and conduct my business from there for a couple of months while living there as I’m currently doing a degree part-time learning Japanese and Asian Culture. I could never go back to working in an office! Been there, done that. Hate it. Enjoy your road trip, hope it proceeds with ease and don’t work too hard!
Jennifer
Australia
That is great that you can live and pay bills like that. I hope you have a great wedding trip and meeting your family.
Enjoy your road trip.
In terms of getting out of the house, it’s definitely a worthwhile idea to set up another income stream through a part-time job to mix things up and gain new skills, although you might also consider bringing people INTO the house. For instance, I’ll be setting up a drum teaching studio over the next month and inviting students into my home for lessons.
Wonderful, have a great time. I would say don’t you wish everyone could enjoy this lifestyle but I got to thinking that if they did then the highways would begin to get awfully crowded (like the thrift stores did when everyone began to embrace thrift)… so maybe we should start keeping this our little secret after all.