Can I Afford To Be A Digital Nomad As An Artist? My Income vs Expenses Breakdown
Being a digital nomad can be an appealing lifestyle choice for many artists. The freedom to travel, explore new places, and work remotely can provide inspiration and opportunities to connect with a global audience. However, a critical aspect to consider before embarking on this lifestyle is whether it is financially feasible. In this article, we will break down the income and expenses of being a digital nomad as an artist to help you determine if you can afford this lifestyle.
Income Sources
As a digital nomad artist, you have various income streams available to support your lifestyle. Here are a few common ways that artists generate income:
1. Freelancing: Many digital nomad artists take on freelance projects, selling their art skills and expertise to clients around the world. This can be in the form of graphic design, illustrations, website design, or any other art-related services.
2. Online Sales: Creating and selling artwork online through platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or your own website can be a lucrative source of income while being location-independent. This allows you to reach a broader audience and potentially sell your art globally.
3. Teaching: If you have knowledge or skills that can be taught, consider offering online art classes or tutorials. Many artists find success in providing art lessons, whether in person or through platforms like Skillshare or Udemy.
4. Commissions: Working on commissioned projects for clients can be a steady source of income. This could include custom portraits, illustrations, or even mural paintings.
Expenses Breakdown
While income opportunities can vary from artist to artist, it’s essential to consider the expenses that come with being a digital nomad. Here are some key expenses to consider:
1. Travel Costs: Digital nomads are always on the move, whether it’s traveling to new cities or countries. This includes transportation expenses such as flights, train tickets, or rental cars.
2. Accommodation: Renting apartments or staying in hotels, hostels, or Airbnb can comprise a significant portion of your expenses. The cost will vary depending on your preferred level of comfort and the location you choose to stay in.
3. Healthcare and Insurance: Ensuring you have proper health insurance coverage is crucial when living a nomadic lifestyle. Research and invest in insurance plans tailored for digital nomads or international travelers.
4. Art Supplies: As an artist, you will need to budget for art supplies such as paints, canvases, brushes, and other materials. Costs can vary depending on your medium and artistic preferences.
5. Technology and Software: Digital nomads rely heavily on technology and software to conduct their work. Consider the costs of a reliable laptop, software subscriptions, and any gear required (e.g., cameras, tablets).
6. Living Expenses: Don’t forget to account for daily living expenses such as groceries, dining out, entertainment, and other miscellaneous costs that come with daily life.
Income vs. Expenses
To determine if you can afford to be a digital nomad as an artist, it’s crucial to compare your projected income with your expected expenses. Analyze your potential earnings from freelancing, art sales, teaching, or commissions, and subtract that from the estimated costs of travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
To make an informed decision, consider engaging in thorough research and calculations. Explore different locations to identify regions where the cost of living may align with your desired lifestyle. Additionally, establish a strategy to secure a consistent income flow, such as building a strong online presence, networking with potential clients or patrons, and seeking collaborations within the digital art community.
Ultimately, whether you can afford to be a digital nomad as an artist will depend on your specific circumstances, financial goals, and risk tolerance. By carefully evaluating your income potential and expenses, you can make an informed decision and shape a lifestyle that allows you to pursue your artistic passion while exploring the world.
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Thanks for inspiring me and show me this lifestyle is totally possible for artist. It my dream to explore as an artist
yOU Are Truly AN inSPIiraTION!
Loved it congrats❤
But what about your house back in Australia? Don't you need to keep paying for the property you own/rent back in Australia?
Thanks for sharing so much info with us! Don't know if someone has already asked this, but when you said you sold most of your stuff before travelling, did this mean you also sold/vacated the place you lived in Australia, or are you still paying rent/mortgage while you're overseas? I feel like that would be another large expense that we would still have to consider while travelling, unless you literally sold everything at home – or you had somewhere else to store all your stuff! This is what I did in my early 20s – left my stuff at my mum's house while I travelled and worked, but now in my 30s I own a lot more stuff that it would be a lot more difficult to just get up and go elsewhere for a few months. Sounds like a dream though!
I LOVE THIS phrase as “digital nomad” it’s exactly what I would love to do in the future great idea!
The other comments are true – you're an inspiration. I really enjoy following your journey because you're SO different from all the creators I see on Twitter.
You always give me some refreshing perspective about showing my work – thank you. AND keep going 😀
Yaasss, thank you for sharing your journey Mimi. This is so informative. You are living my dream! Haha ❤ Sending all the good vibes your way and congratulations on all your accomplishments!
That's amazing, well done. This was really valuable information. Thank you
Lovely video, as usual, thank you for being so transparent with the numbers! And it's so good you have some money leftover for emergencies and such!
Congratulations!
Thank you so much for the really informative video! Do you also account for time spent working? Last tax season I filed with a tax specialist for the first time and they asked me how many hours I worked on my small business that year. I hadn't really kept thorough track of my hours since I have another full time job, so I'm always just stealing a couple hours here and a couple hours there on my side hustle. I'm also selling digital products so once the thing is made and listed it doesn't require any more time on my part, so I always felt keeping track of my hours wasn't as important as it would be if I were making physical products. Curious to hear your thoughts!
I really loved this video!! So inspiring ❤. I love your brushes as well!!!
Thank you for sharing this information in so much detail. Really appreciate it! Good luck with all your endeavours and looking forward to more such informative videos 🙂
Thank you. I really enjoy your videos.
Hi Mimi, first of all I love your videos! But I was wondering what your boyfriend does for work?
I really like that your voice seems more relaxed than other videos! It is much easier for me to listen to. Thank you for sharing your journey with us 🙂
Ohhhh you went to my side of the world !
I've been nomading since 2016, on and off from my country to others, with periods in mine (covid anyone?? LOL)
and in 2021 I came to Bansko and kinda stayed here… So many DNs here and expats move here .
If you ever wanna visit Bansko- let me know, would be happy to help out in any way 🙂 (it's extremely cheap here, you can get a 1 bedroom apartment for 500-600 australian dollars. – great place for me when I started my channel – since I could focus on income streams that make less money in the beginning)
This is amazing, I wish I could travel too especially in Australia where my cousins living.
I prefer to say here in my country for now and work for 200 subs special, I think simple then grow big!
I am glad you are having a great time and being able to visit so many places! Enjoy! 🙂 I am happy for you