Alright, time to be Mr. Economist about this. (That’s what I got my super duper diploma in after all.)
Yes, becoming a digital nomad and moving to South Africa sounds fine and dandy, but there’s the inevitable fact that the world is driven by money. For three months in South Africa, my number right now is $3,300.
(We have already bought the plane tickets, so that amount isn’t baked into the above number.)
Not only that, we also have a one-week trip to New York two weeks before the three month escapade, adding another $500 needed for food, entertainment, and a metro pass.
Here is the breakdown for just myself (my significant other and I are splitting costs right down the middle):
New York (1 week)
- Food = $320 ($40 per day)
- Entertainment = $150 (The Guggenheim, the MET, the Empire State Building, a NY Yankees baseball game, and as many souvenirs as our bags can carry)
- A one-week metro pass = $31
Cape Town (3 months)
- Apartment = $1,500 ($500 per month; a slight overestimate, seeing as rent in South Africa is incredibly cheap)
- Food = $900 ($300 per month, essentially what I pay for food now, except it should be inexpensive in South Africa)
- Uber = $200 (this is based on 12–13 trips per month for around $10-$15 each)
- Utilities = $105 ($35 per month, cost-friendly)
- Health/Traveler’s Insurance = $300 (one-time payment for coverage)
- Phone = $30 (SIM card for a set amount of minutes in case of emergency)
- Flight to Durban, South Africa = $100 (My significant other has friends there. Lodging and food will be virtually free there.)
- Entertainment = $200 (Most of our activities will be free; Christmas is right around the corner though…)
Grand Total: $501 + $3,335 = $3,836
My goal is to reach this number before we take off in August. That way, if everything goes wrong and me and my significant other don’t capitalize on this opportunity, we still made it out of South Africa alive and back to the United States with a wonderful experience under our belt. This is the security within the risk.
So, how do I reach this lofty goal? Back to being Mr. Economics, there’s give and take. Basically, I have to make sacrifices.
No More Coffee Out
This one stings. A few weeks ago I was getting a $4 coffee almost daily. At work, once 3 PM hit, I would get sluggish and crave a sweet combination of sugar and caffeine. Seeing as I live in a city in Oregon, it isn’t that hard to find delicious “fancy coffee.”
If I do some quick math, I’m here for another 60ish work days:
60 days X $4 = $240
That’s half my trip to New York right there!
Besides, this helps my I-want-to-look-good-for-my-travel-Instagram goal. In short, coffee is out of the picture. (Except for Saturdays — that’s my cheat day.)
Canceling My Gym Membership
Wait, hold up, what? Didn’t I just say I wanted to become really really ridiculously good-looking? How is not going to the gym helping that?
Well, once I am in New York and South Africa, it will be tough to frequent a gym anyways. Now, the world is my gym! The summers in Oregon are warm — almost like a South African teaser — and I am surrounded by parks where I can do my simplified regimen of push-ups, air squats, pull-ups at the bars, and hanging knee-raises.
I was only using LA Fitness for the basketball court and lifting twice a week anyways. I have had the membership for over three years now, but it’s value has expired for me.
Time to trim the fat, which will yield me another $80.
Food Out Once a Week
At this point can you tell which part of my budget I have a hard time following every month?
Food is tough, especially when split among two roommates and myself. This is the one I have to be careful to budget myself on. I gave myself around $300 to spend on food and gas this month, and I’m already at $180 left! It’s June 8th for crying out loud!
So I have to remain committed to the grocery store and only going there once a week.
Also once a week I can eat out for lunch. (Lucky guess: Today is that day for me! Chipotle here I come!)
Adding My Sister to the Mix
Okay, I’m back. (Chipotle was really tasty by the way.)
Another bright idea of mine was taking in my only sibling. She has been living with us at our apartment for two weeks now.
The reason for this is twofold: One, this helps my significant other and I with rent, utilities, and food for the household; two, my sister gets to live in a space where creativity is encouraged and the city holds endless opportunities.
With savings that will amount to roughly $750 each, this was definitely worth it. Plus, one of my goals is to spend more time with family…so boom.
Of course, there are certain things that I cannot cut out until a later date, like auto and renter’s insurance. And there are things that I’ll never escape. (Hello, college debt, how’s your obese butt doing?)
In a nutshell, I try my very best to cut costs in the main three: shelter, food, and transportation. Less road trips and visits back home, only the essential Saturday morning mocha, and going three-way on rent are some of the simple yet arduous practices I have implemented in my day to day.
For the month of May, I made $2,533.11 after taxes. I saved $1,600 of that, a rate of 63%. Early retirees would be extremely proud of me.
This all goes to show that I am irrevocably dedicated to this process. What an amazing feeling it will be to have it all come to fruition in September. To stand in Cape Town, smell the ocean breeze, taste the local cappuccinos, see and hear the wild animals and humans coexisting as one ecosystem of awesome. It will be one spectacular ride, I can tell you that much.
I’ve budgeted for a life of adventure.
How about you? What part of your budget do you get hung up on? What expense is choking out the possibility of being a digital nomad or world traveler? Let me know in the comments below!
Money is a means to an end. Hopefully it ends with you sipping an ice cold drink on a warm sunny beach.
“There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.” -Marlene Dietrich
I’m Here to Help…
What’s holding you back from packing everything up and leaving? Comment and share throughout this article. I’ll try to respond to everybody. My goal is to help those on the edge of doing something bold act on their intuition and live the life they’ve been dreaming of!
Adventure Awaits…
Thank you for reading my Journey Journal. If you found value in this post, please hit the heart-shaped share. To join our adventure to Cape Town, South Africa and beyond, follow me on Medium. More content coming, so stay tuned! #vagaBOND
