The Starter Pack: What You Need to Build a Global Life

The 5-part framework that took me from dreaming at a desk to thriving around the globe

Photo by Danila Instalook.ru on Unsplash

I'll never forget, it’s 2017 and I’m arriving at my office job. As I passed cubicles and spoke to my coworkers, I saw the same tired faces who'd been doing this for 10, 15, even 20 years. Their eyes told the whole story - that quiet resignation of dreams deferred, of "maybe someday" turning into "never."

I realized I'd been lying to myself, saying I'd wait until the time was right. But in that moment, I understood: the right time doesn't appear - you create it. I didn't have some grand master plan or big savings. What I had was far more powerful - the decision that my life would be different.

This Starter Pack wasn't born from some genius insight. It came from figuring things out as I went along. I made so many mistakes, learned through trial and error, and gradually built this framework that finally made global living possible.

Here's the truth no one tells you: You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

That's how I developed the Starter Pack - five simple building blocks that transformed me from an office-bound dreamer to a confident global traveler. These fundamentals work whether you want to be a digital nomad, take a career break, or just experience more freedom.

Here's a quick preview of what we'll cover:

1. Remote Income - How to fund your travels without being tied to one place

2. Language - Communicate effectively without fluency

3. Systems - Set up your life to run smoothly from anywhere

4. Network - Build connections that make travel easier

5. Tools - The essential apps and gear that save time and stress

The best part? You don't need to master everything at once. I certainly didn't.

---

1. Remote Income: The Freedom Foundation

Photo by lucas Favre on Unsplash

Let me be brutally honest - my journey to location independence began with saying “fuck it." I saved up a few thousands of dollars, quit my job with no real plan and booked a one-way ticket to Thailand. While this reckless freedom felt exhilarating at first, I don't recommend it. The lessons that followed were... educational, to say the least.

My Trial-by-Fire Remote Income Journey

Phase 1: The "What Was I Thinking?" Stage (Teaching English in China)

• Earned $1,500/month teaching English - enough to survive but not thrive

• Got trapped when COVID hit and schools closed

• Learned the hard way about contract scams

• Realized I needed skills that weren't tied to a physical location

Phase 2: The Freelance Hustle

• Invested my salary and took out student loans to complete an online Masters program. (I took classes from 6am-9am then went to work from 10am-5pm Beijing Time)

• Built a portfolio by creating sample work for imaginary clients

• Landed my first remote client 4 months after I started the Masters program.

Phase 3: Remote Work Stability

• Transitioned to higher-paying salaried roles

• Created systems to find roles consistently (no more feast-or-famine)

• Finally reached true location freedom after 1.5 years of experimentation

What I Wish I'd Done Differently

If I could start over, here's the smarter path I'd take:

1. Build Skills Before You Go

• Spend 3-6 months developing one marketable skill (writing, design, coding, etc.)

• Take advantage of free resources like Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy

• Test skills locally through freelancing or side gigs

2. The Safe Transition Plan
✔️ Start freelancing part-time while employed
✔️ Replace 30% of your income before quitting
✔️ Have 6+ months of living expenses saved

3. Best Beginner-Friendly Remote Options

• Teaching English Online (VIPKid, iTalki) - $15-25/hr

• Freelance Writing - Start at 20/article,scaleto20/article,scaleto100+

• Virtual Assistant - $15-30/hr managing emails/social media

The Bottom Line

While my "jump and figure it out" method eventually worked and the stress was kind of exciting. Most people should develop one solid income stream before you leave, then expand from there.

---

2. Language: Your Passport to Cultural Fluency

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

I'll never forget my first night in China. I landed at 2am jetlagged and starving, stumbling into the only open place - a KFC. When I tried to order, the cashier stared blankly as I:

• Pointed at menu pictures

• Attempted charades to explain food items

• Finally resorted to translating on my phone

Twenty minutes later, I walked away with two mystery sandwiches and a profound realization: English might be the world's language, but the local language is your lifeline.

Why Language Matters More Than You Think

In China, my broken Mandarin:

• Got me apartments for 30% less than "foreigner prices"

• Landed me private tutoring gigs that doubled my income

• Helped me spot visa scams before they happened

In Latin America, Spanish:

• Turned small talk into lifelong friendships

• Unlocked doors invisible to tourists

• Let me negotiate like a local at markets

Language Learning Journey (From Zero to Functional)

1. The 80/20 Language Method
Focus on the 20% of words used 80% of the time:

• 100 essential nouns (food, transport, money)

• 50 key verbs (want, need, go, buy)

• 10 magic phrases ("How much?" "Where is...?" "Help!")

2. Best Free/Cheap Tools:

• Speechling (perfect pronunciation via voice recording)

• Language Reactor (learn from Netflix shows)

• Tandem (free language exchange)

3. Professional Boosters:

• Industry-specific vocab lists (I learned "contract" and "invoice" in 5 languages)

• Local business meetups (forces real-world practice)

---

3. Systems: The Invisible Scaffolding of Location Freedom

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

I learned the hard way that no amount of wanderlust can compensate for chaotic logistics. My wake-up call came when I missed a critical client deadline because:

• My VPN failed during an outage

• My "unlimited" data plan throttled unexpectedly

• My files were scattered across multiple devices

That costly mistake birthed my system that now let me work reliably from anywhere in the world.

Why Systems Matter More Than You Think

Early in my journey, I discovered:

• Every minute spent fixing preventable problems is stolen from adventure

• Good systems create mental space for creativity and spontaneity

• The right setup means you're never "on vacation" from your responsibilities

My 5 Essential Global Systems

1. The Unbreakable Work Kit

• Always-on connectivity:

  • Primary VPN + backup VPN (different providers)

  • Local SIM card with data (purchased at airport)

  • Offline versions of critical documents

• Gear that travels well:

  • Universal power adapter with surge protection

  • Lightweight second monitor

  • Noise-cancelling headphones

2. The Stress-Free Money System

• Weekly 10-minute routine:

  1. Review automatic transfers to savings

  2. Log expenses in a simple app

  3. Check upcoming bills and subscriptions

• Tools I use:

  • Wise for multi-currency accounts

  • Google Sheets for tracking

  • Calendar alerts for tax deadlines

3. The Anywhere Productivity Engine

• Daily anchors:

  • Morning planning session (15 min)

  • Deep work blocks (2-3 hours)

  • Evening shutdown ritual

• My favorite tools:

  • Toggl for time tracking

  • Notion for project management

  • Focusmate for accountability

4. The Smarter Relocation Protocol

• Before moving:

  • Research visa requirements

  • Book temporary housing (3-7 days)

  • Identify coworking spaces

• First 48 hours in new location:

  • Get local SIM card

  • Set up transportation

  • Find grocery stores, gyms, malls and markets

5. The Digital Nomad Admin Vault

• Must-have documents:

  • Scanned passport/visas

  • Vaccination records

  • Emergency contacts

• Smart automations:

  • Cloud backups of important files

  • Password manager

  • Calendar reminders for renewals

3 Simple Systems to Start With

1. The Internet Safety Net

• Set up two VPNs from different providers

• Save offline maps of your area

• Bookmark nearby cafes with reliable WiFi

2. The 30-Minute Weekly Money Check

• Review account balances

• Track upcoming bills

• Log recent expenses

3. The Morning Anchor Routine

• Check calendar

• Set 1-3 priorities

• Message clients/team

The Freedom You Gain

When I perfected these systems, I discovered:

• I could relocate to a new country with just short notice

• Client work continued seamlessly across time zones

• I spent less time "managing my life" and more time living it

---

4. Network: Filtering for Quality Connections

Photo by Evangeline Shaw on Unsplash

The truth nobody tells you? Most digital nomad communities are full of:

• Instagram "entrepreneurs" with zero revenue

• Broke backpackers pretending to work remotely

• Time-wasters who'll drag you into unproductive drama

I learned this the hard way during my first Chiang Mai meetup - a cringefest of MLM pitches and "life coaches" with 3 whole clients. Then I met an Icelandic software engineer actually building a real business. That connection alone:
✓ Open doors to learn how to attract high-value clients
✓ Taught me how to spot serious professionals

Why Your Network Determines Your Success

After filtering through lots of connections across all my travels, I've learned:

• Your income will plateau at your network's average

• Time vampires will destroy your productivity

• The right 5 people can change your entire trajectory

How I Built a High-Value Network (Without the BS)

Phase 1: The Great Filter

• Stopped attending generic "digital nomad" meetups

• Created a 2-question vetting process:

  1. "What are you working on?"

  2. "How is it going?"

• Immediately ended conversations with vague answers

Phase 2: Targeted Relationship Building

• Engaged with people who:

  • Are executing real tangible plans

  • Could introduce me to their clients/vendors

  • Shared measurable results

Phase 3: The Global Inner Circle

• Now have trusted contacts

• Get personal introductions to professionals in new cities

5 Rules for Building an Elite Network

1. The "No Time Wasters" Policy
Immediately disengage from people who:

• Can't clearly explain anything

• Habitually complain about "haters" or "the system"

• Prioritize partying over productivity

2. Give Strategic Value

• Make targeted introductions between your best contacts

• Share specific opportunities (not generic advice)

• Exchange real resources

3. Only Join These Quality Communities:

• Paid professional groups (the fee filters out tourists)

• Industry-specific groups

• Private coworking spaces

4. The High-Value Follow Up
After meeting someone promising:

• Share a specific opportunity relevant to them

• Introduce them to one quality contact

Why This Matters

My filtered network has:

• Saved me from bad partnerships (through insider knowledge)

• Provided emergency support in 3 continents

---

5. Tools: The Only Gear That Actually Earns Its Space

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

I started my journey with:

• A 65L backpack bursting with "essentials"

• 1 pair of shoes (for "different occasions")

• A laptop

After 8 years of travel here's what most beginners get wrong:

Mistake 1: Packing for "what ifs"

• Dumped after 6 months:

  • Formal shoes (never used)

  • Backup hard drives (cloud exists)

  • Travel iron (laughable in hindsight)

Mistake 2: Over-optimizing

• Tried 17 task managers before realizing:

  • Simple beats "perfect"

  • Tools should serve you, not vice versa

Mistake 3: Gear FOMO

• My most used items cost <$100:

  • Anker 735 Charger (Nano II)

  • Nitecore NB10000 power bank

  • Sea to Summit clothesline

The Minimalist Starter Kit

For your first year, only invest in:

1. One great backpack

2. Reliable connectivity

3. 3 core apps:

   • Google Workspace (Docs/Drive)

   • Airtable (client tracking)

   • Revolut (no-FX spending)

Pro Tip: Before buying anything, ask:

• "Has this prevented a crisis 3+ times?"

• "Does it earn/save me >$100/year?"

• "Could I replace it locally in 2 hours?"

The Unexpected MVP

My most valuable "tool"? A cheap plastic document sleeve holding:

• Color copies of my passport

• Important records

• Emergency documents

• Backup credit card

It's saved me at borders, hospitals, and police checks across multiple countries.

---

Your Starter Stack Awaits – But Only If You're Built Differently

Let's cut the inspirational BS. I'm writing this from a Medellín café where the coffee costs less than my old office's parking fee—because I'm special. Not "lucky" special. "Willing-to-do-what-95%-won't" special.

Here's How You Prove You're Special Too:

1. Today's Test (Right Now)

   • Open a new browser tab and:
     → Secure your first $5 online (Fiverr gig, sell a photo, something)
     → Message someone in your target country on Nomad List
     → Cancel one pointless subscription (fund your escape)

2. The AM Protocol (Starting Tomorrow)

   • Skill-building (freeCodeCamp, Google Certifications)

   • Apply to 1 remote job (We Work Remotely)

   • Learn survival phrases (Memrise app)

The Special Person's Reality Check:

• My first "desk" was a dirty Chinese apartment

• I cold-emailed over 70 clients before getting my first "yes"

• The wifi here is slower than your excuses

The world doesn't need more dreamers. It needs doers who refuse to be ordinary.

---

Call to Action: Let’s Build Your Stack Together

You’ve just absorbed 8 years of trial, error and hard-won freedom. Now it’s your turn. What’s one element of your Starter Stack you’ll commit to this week?

Remember: The world’s most interesting people don’t just watch—they engage. Hit reply. Let’s get you unstuck.