I’ve been on the road for almost two years now, and “nomadic” in how I do business for almost three years. In 2020 I traveled the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and finished off where I am currently in Mexico.
Here are some tools that are essential to my day to day, they reduce stress and save me a lot of time.
None of the links below are affiliate links, they go straight to the website and I don’t make any money off of any of the recommendations.
- Revolut – A bank account/card that allows you to pay in local currency and manage your finances. If you’re going to be international you need a bank/card that will help you have access to your money no matter where you are in the world. This card has an option for traveling insurance, “burnable” virtual cards, Crypto and currency purchasing, and 100 other amazing features that will blow your mind.
- Recharge – I usually buy a SIM card in whatever country I go to but “topping off” is sometimes a pain/confusing/irritating. With Recharge you can simply put in your phone number, pick your top off, and within seconds it’s all handled. Your current cell provider will claim you have roaming data but you’ll find purchasing a local SIM card for data will be your best bet for speed and price.
- Traveling Mailbox – Have one central mailbox where all of your mail, from bills to checks and everything in between goes and then is scanned and you have access to it. You can deposit checks, save the images to your drive, shred the mail, and even forward physical mail that you need in hand. I was recently able to receive a debit card, scan both sides, enter it into my phone and computer, and use it right away without needing the physical card. I also deposit checks from clients that mail them right into my bank using this service.
- SayHi Translate App – This app is fantastic! You simply choose the language you want to speak in, click the microphone button, and then the app will text out as well as sound out what you are trying to communicate to whomever is there with you. If they want to respond you simply click the other microphone and they speak into your phone, and your phone speaks it to you in your language.
- Whatsapp – Outside of the US a lot of people us WhatsApp. It’s an encrypted app from Facebook that allows you to call, video, and send texts to people. Taxis, restaurants, people you meet, most of the people out there are using WhatsApp.
- Google Translate – When you are using WhatsApp I find copy and pasting the texts into and out of Google Translate is the easiest way to go. I have texted complicated directions and requests and held long conversations like a local using the Google translate app. I have to admit it makes me a little lazy to learn another language though.
I have some other tools that are worth mentioning but don’t make the grade as “essential”, here they are:
Skyscanner – I used the “Everywhere” as a destination from wherever I was to see where I could go around the world.
Life360 – Great app to let your traveling partners (and people at home) know where you are at all times.
AirBNB – One of the go to apps for finding accommodations. Choose month long time frames and see how much of a discount you can get. It might be a cheap flight to Tokyo, but if the accommodations when you get there are too high (or vice versa) you may want to choose a different location.
Booking.com – I’ve found that this app, especially if you search prices the day before or the day of, iOS one of the best places to find deals on hotels. Sign up to become a member and use their service to book and you’ll find the prices drop significantly. I used to be a Priceline fan but my Fiancé’ beat me with this app every time.
Grab App – Taxi, Food and Delivery service in the following countries:
- Singapore
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Rappi App – Taxi, Food and Delivery service in Mexico.
Happy travels this year or the next, take the leap after you do some research and check these services out. If you have another service or app you’d suggest let me know I’d love to try it out!
