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Don't be rich, Live rich

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Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#41
post #23
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And where do you need to file taxes?

If you are an American citizen, you always have to file taxes on wages, no matter where you earn them or who you work for (even if you steal things, you pay taxes on them).

This is distinctive for the US from what I understand. People in most western countries don't have to report to them once they've left other than to renew passports.

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#42

What are the best technologies to focus on in order to be mobile/remote? I've notice that nobody is interested in remote C++ development, and the few people I meet who are doing something like this are in some branch of web development.

Sure. The bottom line is that nobody is interested in any serious stuff being done remotely. So those type of stories you usually hear from someone like these folks who did "online communications" and "freelance web design/programming", which is not serious by definition. Projects involving something like C++ have significantly higher chances of having a bigger scope, impact and different set of responsibilities from…

Thank you 1000x for stating this. I've never heard of anyone doing anything significant and living this way. Before he made money selling books on how to design lifestyles, what did Chris Guillebeau do for money? Be a grad student, I think. (As in, live off his stipend.)

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#43
post #33

Not trying to take away from how fantastic and inspiring a story this is, what's with the "check for grants/subsidizing" bit? Is the ultimate advice "be from a wealthy country that lets you travel on welfare"? :)

Or even better,come to Canada and claim refugee status when you arrive, you get social assistance payments and free dental and health care while you are processed through the queue to determine if you are legitimate, takes about a year. Apparently its quite a popular vacation option for people from Mexico, there is even a "how to" guide online.

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#44
post #38

This looks like fun, but so many people have done this now, it's almost a cliche. It almost seems more unique to hear about a hacker from NYC documenting a summer working in New Paltz, rather than another story about social media experts working from cafes in Buenos Aires and Thailand.

True, but that doesn't make it a lesser experience for those who are doing it. I doubt many lifestyle designers do it because "it's the cool thing", they're doing it because it can be an amazing adventure and experience. It's only natural to want to talk about the great experiences you've had.

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#45
post #38

This looks like fun, but so many people have done this now, it's almost a cliche. It almost seems more unique to hear about a hacker from NYC documenting a summer working in New Paltz, rather than another story about social media experts working from cafes in Buenos Aires and Thailand.

Do it for yourself. Why do u care what the others are doing? Its for broadening ur horizon and put urself in uncomfortable position everyday

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#46
post #30

I've been doing the same for 9 months now. I've travelled round the whole world, had a fantastic time, and wrote a book for O'Reilly as I went. It's been the best year of my life. In fact, it turns out that writing books is one of the best ways to do this - as it's very flexible and a successful book will just about cover traveling costs. What most people don't realize, is how cheap it is to do this. As always though…

One thing I'm certain of is that my expenses for a trip like this when I was 21 would have been much lower than for a trip like this now. I've sadly grown accustomed to fancier meals (restaurants over ramen) and softer beds (hotels over hostels). It would be a lot of mental work to keep my expectations down and readjust them to what they were in my student days. It would be a very good exercise though.

I could stay in pretty nice hotels for the price of the rent I pay for the Helsinki flat. Most interesting cities are nowadays so expensive to have a home in, that hotels simply start sounding like an affordable alternative. And even more so if you want to stay in cheaper countries

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#47

What are the best technologies to focus on in order to be mobile/remote? I've notice that nobody is interested in remote C++ development, and the few people I meet who are doing something like this are in some branch of web development.

I've done a remote C++ work on decently sized projects (across us states and international one project taking 2 years to complete) it really depends on your skill set, reputation and who you know I guess

there is a lot more to the world then silly websites

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#48
post #30

I've been doing the same for 9 months now. I've travelled round the whole world, had a fantastic time, and wrote a book for O'Reilly as I went. It's been the best year of my life. In fact, it turns out that writing books is one of the best ways to do this - as it's very flexible and a successful book will just about cover traveling costs. What most people don't realize, is how cheap it is to do this. As always though…

One thing I'm certain of is that my expenses for a trip like this when I was 21 would have been much lower than for a trip like this now. I've sadly grown accustomed to fancier meals (restaurants over ramen) and softer beds (hotels over hostels). It would be a lot of mental work to keep my expectations down and readjust them to what they were in my student days. It would be a very good exercise though.

Yes, hostels through most countries, but hotels in Asia. I live pretty cheaply, but I've actually eaten out every night of the trip. I love the minimalistic lifestyle, having 100 things and living out my bag - I hope I never lose that.

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure. The bottom line is that nobody is interested in any serious stuff being done remotely. So those type of stories you usually hear from someone like these folks who did "online communications" and "freelance web design/programming", which is not serious by definition. Projects involving something like C++ have significantly higher chances of having a bigger scope, impact and different set of responsibilities from…

Thank you 1000x for stating this. I've never heard of anyone doing anything significant and living this way. Before he made money selling books on how to design lifestyles, what did Chris Guillebeau do for money? Be a grad student, I think. (As in, live off his stipend.)

He's not the only one to lead this lifestyle and write about it. Tim Ferris started a sports supplement company to fund his travels before writing "The 4-Hour Work Week."

One doesn't have to be a programmer or designer to lead a lifestyle like this, though those professions are more location independent by their nature.

Re: Don't be rich, Live rich

#50

What are the best technologies to focus on in order to be mobile/remote? I've notice that nobody is interested in remote C++ development, and the few people I meet who are doing something like this are in some branch of web development.

Sure. The bottom line is that nobody is interested in any serious stuff being done remotely. So those type of stories you usually hear from someone like these folks who did "online communications" and "freelance web design/programming", which is not serious by definition. Projects involving something like C++ have significantly higher chances of having a bigger scope, impact and different set of responsibilities from…

"The bottom line is that nobody is interested in any serious stuff being done remotely" I disagree. I've done "serious" engineering (performance engineering, etc.) remotely. The key is establishing a level of trust with the client PRIOR to working remote (or having the references which back you up)....and to be able to perform remotely (which takes a lot of discipline).
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