6 Things To Do ~ 6 Months Before Travelling
- Vittoria
- Aug 25, 2017
- 5 min read
6 months until we officially begin our adventure! There is so much to do that I don't know where to start...almost. To stay on top of all the things I need to research and all the bits I need to do I have compiled a list in priority order. I thought it could be helpful to share and give an idea of the things you should do around 6 months before travelling.
1. Check Passport
The most important document in your arsenal is your passport, as you can't travel without it. When is the last time you used it? Do you know where it is? Go and dig it out of that drawer and make sure it has a few years before the expiring date so you can travel in full serenity, and that the picture is up to date and not ruined as it might be invalidated on your arrival.
UK citizens can request an application form for renewing or obtaining a passport online on the Identity and Passport Service's website here. Many post offices also carry application forms and there is a pilot scheme that helps you fill in the form here.
However any official government website will have online application containing detailed information to help you renew your passport. You can find the list of all the government websites by country here.
Do you want to discover how powerful is your passport and all the countries you can visit without visa? Click here.
2. Remote Jobs
When you are a Digital Nomad your income comes from some sort of business or job online. That is what we plan to achieve so that we can be location independent and do what we love the most which is travelling the world. So for the next 142 days we will do our best to find a remote job online that will generate some income so that when we start our adventure we won't have to use our savings, but keep earning money day by day.
The Internet has created a vast array of positions that can be worked from anywhere with a dependable Internet connection. From crowd-sourcing to ghostwriting, translating to customer service management, you might be surprised how many different types of jobs are available on a remote basis. Here's a list of some of the best job areas to work remotely:
~ Consulting: data analysis, business strategy, system specialist
~ Customer Service: customer service support, online customer assistance
~ Design: graphic designer, product designer, web designer
~ Development: coding, software, analysis, programming
~ Education: online language teaching, tutoring, course leader
~ Finance: tax expert, book-keeper, accountant, claim consultant
~ Human Resources: recruiter, interviews, staff coordinator
~ Legal: counselling, attorney, real estate
~ Management: project management, team leader
~ Marketing: digital marketing, affiliate marketing, SEO, eCommerce, social media management
~ Sales: sales director, B2B representative, sales consultant
~ System Administration: network engineering, IT
~ Writing: freelance writing, editor, content creator
Here are the 25 best websites for remote jobs.
While Adam will focus on Graphic Design, animation, freelance motion graphics, I am will monetize my blog, work on some online marketing and freelance writing. Also, if finding a remote job doesn't seem appealing you could always take your business online, ask your current employer if you could do your job remotely, or find a job when you arrive at your destination to raise some funds to keep travelling.
3. Save Money
Even if you don't intend to travel using your savings, it's good to have a financial pillow you can use in case of emergencies, in between jobs or payments, and if you need to give deposits.
Here are some tips to save money:
Reduce your expenditures, like alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, shopping
Track your spending using an app or a spreadsheet
Cancel your monthly payments, subscriptions and memberships
Pack your lunch instead of eating out
Use cash only so you can see the money leaving your wallet instead of tapping a debit card
Set a weekly budget and stick to it
Move all the money you save into a savings account you can't touch
Sell your stuff
Earn some extra income with freelance jobs
Move back to your parents to cut on rent
Saving money is a pain, but anyone can do it if they set their mind to it; so remember why you’re doing this!
Put a picture on your wall to remind yourself every day and to stay committed to the plan.
4. Downsize Your Possessions
You only have 6 months to go! I would definitely start downsizing your possession, organising what you think you will bring with you, making boxes of sentimental objects you want your parents to store for you, and pinpoint those objects you think you can sell to make some money.
Do not throw away your things: they have already been produced, resources have been lost in making that object and you have invested money on it! So ask around because someone might need it, or donate it to charity so that someone else might enjoy it and money will go to a good cause of your choice.
Check out my blog on "How to De-clutter Your Life" where you can find great practical tips on how to downsize your possessions; even if you are not going travelling!
5. Make A Backpacking List
Last but not least, your backpacking list (it even rhymes). This is the perfect time to put together a list of the things you will need to bring with you. Divide the list into categories so you can break it down and think about one thing at a time. Also don't forget to save the list online somewhere you can access it at all times because you will have a great idea and forget to write it down. My list is divided into 8 sections:
Technology: few key gadgets to stay connected
Shoes: depending on your destination and activities
Clothes: minimal, functional and for all eventualities
Accessories: few essentials for all seasons
Toiletries: one can be used as many, don't get carried away
Useful tools: you need to be prepared for any challenges
Medicines: not too many and as natural as possible
Packing objects: once you know what you will bring with you
This is probably the most strenuous challenge of the whole planning, because you will change your mind 100 times and find someone else's list and start adding and removing stuff! That is why I won't share my backpacking list till the day I am leaving, because I know it won't be final until I close the door behind me!
But a few tips I can give you is to do a ton of research into each object, because you want to make sure you have the best of the best with you! You want something that is:
Durable
Good quality
Good value
Multi-functional
Light-weight, this is definitely the most important!
Compact
With special qualities like: waterproof, warmth-retaining or anti-transpirant
And remember that most things might be cheaper and easier to buy when you arrive at your destination, plus you are not leaving for the moon (are you?), you will find anything you need along the way.
If in doubt ask yourself:
"I will have to carry this thing 200'000 km on my back taking up space I could use for something else.
Is it worth it?"
6. Blog/Social Media
Not everyone who travels need a blog, but if you have a creative side and want to share your experience with the world, you could consider setting up a blog, channel, or a social media page where you can upload your photographs, videos, thoughts, etc. You could also share it with all your loved ones and friends so that they can find out what you are up to. Plus it can become a source of income or a medium to advertise your skills.
Here you can find more ideas of how to make money with social media. It might inspire you!
I hope you found this list useful and that I haven't missed anything.
It is definitely a great starting point to organise the main logistical chunks of this planning phase.
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