Major Expenses Remote Workers Don't Talk About

Imagine this: you’re sitting at a deck, fruity drink in hand, listening to the waves crash as you complete your work for the day, before going for a dip in the water. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? Okay, working abroad isn’t always that glamourous, but it’s definitely something a lot of us strive towards.

With the rise of technology we’ve seen an increase in the ability, and the desire, to work from home or while on the go. And it’s not just those travel writers you hear about; employees from multiple industries, including retail trading, recruitment, IT and teaching, are all embracing freelance jobs with greater flexibility. We are striving towards that work-life balance and choosing our hours in a way that was never possible before. How popular and beneficial is it though? Take a look at these stats on Ciphr.

If you have decided to embrace the freelance lifestyle, or are considering it, here are some expenses to keep in mind to prepare.

Internet Connection

If you’re going to work abroad while exploring the world, one of the most important travel tips out there is to ensure you have reliable internet. After all, working remotely is only possible because of technology and our ability to connect with people and offices all over the world at any one time. Paying for the internet while travelling can quickly add up, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots when you can. Hotspots are available all over the world, and you’d be surprised how good the quality is. To get an idea, here are some countries with the fastest Wi-Fi. Internet hotspots aren’t just limited to cafés or McDonald’s either, so you have the freedom to move around and find a space that works for you.

To save even more money, there are some services that add Wi-Fi to other offerings. For example, get a travel card, and not only will it be needed if you’re moving around a lot, you’ll have access to their hotspots all over the world.

Membership Fees for Remote Working Tools

Depending on your line of work and the type of remote working jobs you’re doing, you may need to fork out extra money for platforms such as Upwork or other referral websites. Some websites may require a fee for professional membership like LinkedIn Premium.

Registering an Official Australian Business

In order to work as a freelancer, you need to ensure you are getting the work in the first place. To do that, you will need to put money towards marketing yourself. Whether that is getting a business name, a domain, creating a website, getting a designer to create a logo, printing business cards or even creating a portfolio, a lot of these will end up costing you a pretty penny before you start working abroad full-time.

Some remote workers may already have clients lined up without marketing; however, paying for some of these products or services is still a good idea to obtain new clients.

Travel Fees

No, we’re not talking about the public transport, Uber or cab fee to meet a client – although that does add up eventually too. In this instance, it’s travelling to other work destinations altogether.

The ultimate perk when it comes to working remotely is the fact you can do it from anywhere. While for some this just means the flexibility of choosing their hours and working from a home office, others choose this lifestyle so they can fulfil their passions for travel and adventure. While being able to work abroad sounds glorious, there are extra costs that will come into it – besides the whole airfare and accommodation thing.

Everyday living costs may be more expensive than they are at home. If you are only travelling for a short period (like a couple of months), you will be taking on these costs while also covering your rent or mortgage. You will need to set up each new space with everything you need to remain productive (internet, hardware etc.). Not to mention you may need to take on freelance jobs locally in your destination, which may not be at the rates you’re used to.

Maintaining a Work Space

Now, working in your casual clothes or pyjamas while sitting on the couch may be a novelty for the first couple of days, but very soon you are going to miss that office chair you used to hate so much. Having a space that is dedicated purely to work not only increases productivity, it will also help separate home life from work life. Keeping these separate is so important to achieve a balanced lifestyle and can be a little trickier for those working from home. In terms of expenses, there is more involved than just the hardware and software you need to complete your job. You’ll need a good desk, chair and organisational extras such as whiteboards or calendars etc. To make sure you’re comfortable and in a positive headspace, add some elements that really make it your own, such as plants or art.

While there are expenses we don’t usually consider when it comes to working abroad, the benefits are well worth it. A little less in your savings account is nothing compared to the flexibility and added perk of fulfilling your need to travel. Set up a good business plan, make sure you have work lined up, and keep some savings aside for emergencies to enjoy the freelance lifestyle in a gorgeous destination.