I read this great article on something that has bothered me for a while now, the proliferation of rubbish websites about Location Independence.

Read it here – Why Location Independent Blogs Will Lead You To FAIL

I will break all the rules. I will write in the style I wish to write in, and damn the readers. I can’t get anything done writing to please everyone else.

On Friday, I watched a really good lecture on thinking differently. It was by one of the authors of a book aimed at thinking from different perspectives. It’s called Why Not.

The main consensus when blogging is catering for readers. I don’t have readers, so I’m gonna cater to myself. Why Not?

Its the old 80/20 principle again.

20% of blogs have 80% of the readers. I’ll admit, I subscribe to a few of those blogs, but I don’t really read any of them. What’s the point? If they have a good idea, the strength of it is diluted by the sheer volume of eyes and brains continually looking for that great inspiration.

My question is, are the inventors of the latest internet phenomenon actually reading these people? Or is it us wanabees, the hopefuls, that faithfully log on everyday hoping for that flash of inspiration?

Internet Entrepreneur.

This is the age of liberation. Internet has liberated us from the tyranny of the 9 to 5 job, reporting to a boss, and breaking one’s back for a pittance. We can choose our hours of work, our place of work and indeed our price of work. Sounds Utopian? Not quite. Consider this – the World Wide Web gives certain advantages, which make things relatively easier and smoother for somebody thinking of starting an online business venture. These are:

• Minimal start up costs.
• Access to an enormous, almost limitless market place.
• Seamless connectivity and instant feedback from customers around the world.
• No requirement to be a corporate hot-shot or a business genius. All one needs to know is how to work the internet.

However before beginning, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to ensure success. Some of the steps you can take include:

1. Although you want to obtain some degree of freedom from the constraints of your regular job, you must not assume success will come easily. You will need to be just as focused and dedicated, as you would be to an off-line business model. Success and reward will come, but not without your going through the initial learning curve.
2. Before you plunge headlong into an online business, it would be a good idea to try out skills at earning through the net. You need to get adept at HTML, scripts, building your online profile and generally finding your way around cyber space.
3. Do not get impressed by any of the get-rich-quickly schemes. Remember there are never any free lunches in life. Work and deal only with genuine people and enterprises. The money may be small and the returns modest, but these are your ticket to greater glory.
4. Be dedicated and persevere. No success was ever achieved without efforts. Keep working hard, stay focused, and you will learn how to smell out opportunity and capitalize on it. By and by you will grow, and sooner rather than later you will be happy you chose this path. No internet millionaire ever became that way without sweat, blood and tears.
5. It is good to be organised in any business and internet business is no exception. Maintain a log of all your business activities, and keep your documents filed correctly. Check your email daily, and reply to any queries promptly. A neat desktop will go a long way in keeping you on the top of the situation.
6. As in off line business adhere to a code of conduct and etiquette while engaging in online business, so that you have a reputation that is clean and professional More than in offline business, word gets around far quicker in the world wide web.

You have made the first steps, and you realise how much potential there is in being an online or internet entrepreneur, I wish you all the very best in your cyber endeavour.

As a the 2009 guide to the most expensive cities in the world is released, I thought it would be a good time to start another series, this time entitled “Living the Expat Life.”

Living as an expat is something a lot of people dream of, and although it is a big step to take, the rewards can be great. There are few issues to overcome however, which will be the main focus of this series.

Part One – Taking the Plunge

Young or old, single or married – everyone has a different reason for wanting to move abroad. However, the majority of people who make the decision to move abroad usually have one thing in common – the sudden anxiety regarding their decision, and the natural worries that they are doing the right thing.

The truth of the matter is there is no easy way to dispel these worries. Worrying about the unknown is perfectly natural and can actually help you.

The trick is to organise your worries. Spend an hour writing down all the things that are concerning you, and all the things that you would like to know about your choice of destination. After doing this, you will have a clear idea of what you need to know in order put your mind at ease. Thanks to the internet, you can then spend as much time as you need researching, looking for schools or golf clubs, reading expat forums and getting the answers to your specific questions. You can even spend time learning a new language!

Security

Security is always a major concern when deciding to move abroad. Nowadays, we are more exposed to the bad things that happen in the world. That is not to say more (or less) bad things are happening now than at any other point in time, it just means we are more likely to hear about terrorism or atrocities than we were 20 years ago. As one self proclaimed expert on expatriates claims “if you want to stop worrying about terrorists, turn off your TV!”

Getting Organised

Here is a check list of things you should organise before you sally forth;

TRAVEL
• Immigration documents (visa, work permits etc)
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the period of the assignment (including children); tickets and local currency
• Arrange transport of personal effects
• Insurance documents; emergency telephone numbers (including assignment location contacts)
• Immediate accommodation in assignment location
• Baggage within acceptable limits for travel; games/books for journey
• Compatibility of computers and electrical equipment

HOME
• Give adequate notice if leasing
• Ditto local utilities and services
• Check on security (alarms etc)
• Decision about home accommodation during assignment: Leave empty? Storage of furniture; maintenance; utility arrangements; check insurance cover; drain central heating; subscriptions cancelled or redirected; redirect mail
• If letting property, organise power of attorney in case the let is not finalised before you leave

PERSONAL
• Obtain copies of work references and details of willing referees; resolve any immigration queries
• Notify lawyers, accountants and financial advisers
• Ensure personal insurance set up for assignment
• Take: will; international driving licence; spare passport-sized photographs; original and photocopies of birth and marriage certificates
• Find out about facilities for pregnant women and giving birth
• Ditto language and/or familiarisation training

FINANCIAL
• Arrange and/or finalise tax arrangements in home location
• Notify bank; change direct debits, transfer standing orders etc
• Transfer of money and procedures; check credit card arrangements
• Seek advice on any modifications to personal insurance, pension or tax status

MEDICAL
• Obtain medical cover for yourself and family before leaving
• Immunisations; dental checks; supply of medical prescriptions; spare glasses

CHILDREN
• Take birth certificates; school search in assignment location; copies of home school reports
• Children to notify friends of departure and new address

OUT THERE
• Advise embassy/consulate of your presence in the assignment location in case of emergency

Coping with last minute doubts
My own personal last-minute experience came as I sat on an aeroplane waiting to leave Gatwick Airport one rainy January morning. Suddenly, as I looked out the window at the baggage handlers loading up the hold, I thought to myself “What the hell am I doing?” and I had a huge desire to get up and walk off the plane. The thing that finally convinced me to stay aboard and take the plunge was in knowing I could always get back onto the next aeroplane and be home within 24 hours.

In the end, you must accept that not all of your questions can be answered from internet forums. Eventually you will have to take the plunge and actually experience the expat lifestyle to know if it is for you.

Subscribe to the feed now and be notified when the following sections of the series “Living the Expat Life” are published.

1. Taking the Plunge
2. Arrival & Finding Accommodation
3. Staying in Touch with Home
4. Sorting out your Finances
5. Meeting People
6. Coping with Loneliness
7. Family Matters
8. Coping with life as an Expat Spouse

A new survey from the Happy Planet Index suggests that Latin American countries are the happiest in the world, filling 9 of the top 10 positions, with Costa Rica topping the list. According to happyplanetindex.org

The Happy Planet Index reveals the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered.

The index combines environmental impact with human well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which, country by country, people live long and happy lives.

The UK and the US come way down the list at 74th and 114th respectively.

Although this survey measures a happiness index, its authors state that it is not an indicator on the best place to live, or where the people are happiest.

I made a huge mistake when starting this blog.  The initial emphasis of the blog was put on me, and how I am trying to start my own empire.

follow my progress as I make the transition from wage slave to boss of my own empire…

Even the tagline to this blog focused on me. This isn’t the way to attract readers. We need to show people that they will benefit by reading this blog. How do we do that? We put the onus on what readers can achieve.

Therefore the logo has been updated to a more user friendly

make the transition from wage slave to boss of your own empire

Much better. This now gives readers a hint that this blog can help them in some way.

Why is all of this relevant? The simple fact of the matter is, people don’t care about me and what’s happening in my life. They care about how they can make $30,000 a week from blogging.

So you’re making $30,000 a week from blogging? Wonderful. Stop boasting and tell me how to do the same!

Think about it. When you surf the internet, you look for relevant information that can help you. In the vast majority of cases, when you look at, for example, a travel blog, you are thinking about taking a trip and are looking for information to help in your planning.

Sometimes, like in a travel blog, its impossible to write entirely about others. There has to be some focus on the person actually doing the travelling! However even if its not possible to shift the focus to others, don’t forget the details!

Which of these sentences would likely keep you reading?

1. I took an overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Santiago, the ticket price was reasonable, although I didn’t sleep very well!
2. I took the overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Santiago, which took about 15 hours. Not bad value for the $300 pesos ticket price. Sleep was hard to come by though, as the air conditioning was on full blast, and they didn’t have any blankets!

There isn’t much that can be gleaned from No. 1, however No. 2 gives a lot more info away. We now know the bus from Buenos Aires to Santiago takes about 15 hours. We know the ticket price. And we know to take a blanket if we are planning the same trip!

The point being, shift the focus of your writing from me to thee. And don’t forget the details.

The above statements, by the way, are not true. I don’t make $30,000 a week from blogging, and I made up the details of the bus from Buenos Aires to Santiago. So don’t go blasting me for my bad travel info! 

Thanks for reading, hope this post is of help, and please get involved, submit a comment, express your opinion!

I am writing my first commercial site at the moment, trying to attract some interest in the freelance service I plan to offer – a construction based cost consultancy. I have been working as a Quantity Surveyor (QS) since leaving university, mainly for large construction companies, however I had a short spell freelancing as a QS before I began my current job.

I will offer remote services such as bill of quantity preparation, cost estimation, settlement of final accounts and risk assessments – basically anything related to Quantity Surveying and construction cost controls that can be done over the internet.

The first step to becoming the boss of my empire is setting up this small consultancy and starting to advertise my services online. I have almost settled upon a name for the business, Mejia & Jones Cost Consultants, and am about half way through writing the website.

After that I’ll get some business cards printed and start giving them out to all and sundry, do a little twitter marketing and I also plan to implement some other little guerilla marketing tactics that I hope will bring some attention. Hopefully this will get the ball rolling and end up in a contract or two. I don’t plan to quit my day job just yet!

In case you are wondering, Mejia is my girlfriends surname!

The first step towards my itinerant lifestyle is de-cluttering. Getting rid of the things I’ve accumulated over the years. The majority of it is a hindrance.

When did we become so obsessed with owning things? The amount of stuff we each accumulate over the year’s borders on the ridiculous. We spend half our lives at work, bemoaning our fortune at having to be there, then as soon as the weekend arrives we go out and buy some of those things we don’t really need, or drink ourselves into a stupor in a vain attempt to forget how bored we are, thereby forcing the requirement to return to work to pay for the unnecessary things we bought or money we pissed up the wall.

It’s a vicious circle that doesn’t allow the majority of us to escape from its tangled web until we have reached a good old age, bought all the things we assume will let us live comfortably, and decided that 40 years of working for The Man is enough. Only then does society say

“Ok, you’ve paid your dues, done your time, now you can go enjoy yourself.”

But by then it’s too late. Our responsibilities won’t allow us to just up and leave. We’re stuck. We have our things. We’ve got the house, the car, the furniture, the clothes, maybe even the fancy boat that we use for three weekends during the summer.

What then? Do we really enjoy them? Are our lives really made better by the Audi in the driveway, or the 42” LCD flat screen television in the living room? Or is all just clutter?

This project is fundamentally based around the belief that life should be enjoyed. I am positive that in years to come I will look back upon moments, places, times and people as the fondest memories I have. While I may look back and think about a possession I liked, I highly doubt I’ll ever reminisce about a pair of shoes I bought, or a particular car I owned.

I’ve had some of my favourite experiences while travelling. I worked for a few years after university in order to pay off my overdraft and credit card debts and save enough to comfortably backpack for a year. It took me over two years to save the money which made my travels possible, so throughout the trip I was cautious about money, but I knew that if I spent my money wisely and didn’t waste it or buy unnecessary things, I could spend a full year seeing new things, learning new skills and growing as a person.

All told, that year cost me about £8,500 – roughly the price of a small car. If someone gave me option of a new car or another year of travelling, I wouldn’t have to think hard about my choice. I’d take travelling every time.

Why?

During that year I visited 14 countries, saw ruins from long-dead civilizations, swam in both Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, climbed volcanoes, felt the heat of molten lava, trekked in rainforests, worked as a Gaucho, white water rafted on a river in the Andes, experienced numerous UNESCO world heritage sites to name but a few. I also learnt Spanish and met a gorgeous girl who is now my fiancé.

Despite all this, I only have a few material mementos of my time in Latin America, and I gave the majority of these away as presents. No matter. I have my memories and the images in my head. That’s the most important thing.

To really make the most of my short time here on earth I need to de-clutter the way I live. I am announcing my intention to de-clutter here on Itinerant Lifestyle to provide impetus and focus to assist me in my quest for freedom from things.

To start planning the de-clutter process, I have discovered a nifty little tool that will help on the Good Housekeeping website.

I have commenced the de-clutter process and I’ll keep you informed of progress.

Hello and welcome to the inaugural post from itinerant lifestyle, the website that will chronicle my progress in achieving my dream of living and working however, whenever and wherever I choose.

The majority struggle through life waiting until retirement to enjoy the fruits of their labours. Itinerant lifestyle is about my attempt to enjoy life now, not in 40 years when I am old and grey.

As time goes on and the website matures, I will cover topics that may help you in your own quest to enjoy life now, topics such as reducing dependence on money, living more frugally, work-life balance, lifestyle design, travel, entrepreneurship, freelancing, and creativity.

Modern itinerants, or technomads, are among a growing number of people who have said goodbye to the 9 to 5 routine and embarked on new lives by using their own creativity and entrepreneurship to earn a living.

Over the coming months I will publish a series of articles focusing on how I’m making the transition to an itinerant, the stages and processes I’m undertaking, how I’m developing my inner entrepreneur, as well as all the updates of my progress as I focus on becoming one of the growing population of technomads.

The itinerant lifestyle project is here to alter your perceptions and open your eyes to the choices available. By using my imagination, being a little creative and also harbouring my inner entrepreneur, follow my progress as I make the transition from wage slave to boss of my own empire.

So thanks for reading. See you again soon.