In our journey to become self-employed digital nomads (perpetually traveling and working online) we’re constantly researching and learning new things. The resources below are tried and tested winners that we couldn’t keep to ourselves. We hope this ever-growing list of tricks and tools will help you in your own travels, blogs, and work.

Scroll down for:
– Budget Travel Resources
– Travel Gear Resources
– Travel Hacking Resources
– Digital Nomad Resources
– Blogging Resources


Budget Travel


Unconventional Budget Accommodations (Book)
Learn the creative methods we’ve used to travel around the world without spending a dime on rent or hotels. Our money-saving strategies not only make travel cheaper but deeper as well.

All our budget secrets are in this book – now available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook on Amazon.

ITA Matrix
We use this high-powered search tool to research flights because it has highly customizable search options and covers just about every flight out there.

Kayak Explore
For simple travel itineraries, we like Kayak. And their Explore page is a fun way to find the cheap fares from your local airport when you don’t have a particular destination in mind.

Want to go somewhere sunny in December? You can search by month and by weather on Kayak Explore.

Rome2Rio
When traveling in unfamiliar areas, Rome2Rio is super helpful with finding the best method of transit from one place to another.

It aggregates flights, trains, bus, subway, and taxi options by price, duration, and number of transfers.

TrustedHouseSitters
Stay for free around the world by house-sitting and caring for pets. Create a free profile and browse house-sit opportunities around the world. You don’t have to pay for membership until you want to start contacting homeowners.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
We started insuring our trips through SafetyWing in case something bad happens abroad. It covers emergency medical (including Covid) and other travel-related emergencies.

For long-term travelers, SafetyWing tends to be more affordable and more practical than other options on the market. Read our full review here.

Sign up to get our best intentional, budget travel tips through our e-newsletter series.


 

Travel Gear

Having the right gear can make a huge difference in your travel experience. All of the gear below are things we actually own and things we LOVE because they have enhanced our travel experience. 

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes The best way to organize and pack clothing for any travel adventure. These sets offer the best value and versatility. We’ve also used them to organize electronics and other random items. We also use the Pack It Cube set, which is a bit sturdier.

Sony RX100 III Most photos on our site are taken using this awesome point and shoot camera. It’s not the most technically advanced camera on the market but it’s perfect for travel because of it’s size and the images and video our outstanding, even in poorly lit conditions.

Kindle Paperwhite For avid readers who are frequently on the road, having all your books (and even PDFs or other documents) in one place saves a lot of space in the suitcase.

Michelle got a Kindle with hardcover while in Peace Corps and still uses it daily. The long battery life and wifi capability are key.

Osprey Farpoint 55 Backpack This is a two-in-one bag. There’s a big compartment in the main bag and a smaller backpack that can easily be zipped on or off as needed. The shoulder straps can easily be zipped up and hidden so it looks like a duffle bag.

Big enough for month-long trips but small enough to fit as a carry-on if needed. Full review + video here.

Flipbelt We use this runner’s belt as an alternative, hidden travel wallet. It blends in smoothly around your belt line, with room to slide in credit cards, money, even your passport and phone.

Belkin Travel Swivel Surge Protector and Charger An essential travel tool for digital nomads. Small, easy to use and features two usb chargers for phones, tablets, and cameras.

Bestek Portable Charger Universal Adapter Travel Converter Heading to another country and not sure what their electrical systems are like? This is a great tool and comes with several plug adapters.

This also converts electricity to work with American electronics. It comes with a warranty to protect your gear should it fail.

 

 

Tiger Stainless Water Bottle We wanted a water bottle that had a protected lip and something that would keep water cold. In Jamaica when temperatures where extremely hot and humid, this bottle could be filled with water and ice in the morning and still have ice in the evening.

 

Totes Umbrella It’s compact and can dry quicker than jackets.

Exofficio Underwear These undies are made with high-tech, quick drying fabric which is especially helpful when you’re traveling and have to hang-dry laundry overnight. They also last a lot longer than your typical cotton variety.

Our Gear-Related Blog Posts:

For comprehensive nomad travel gear recommendations – including clothing, electronics, and our best packing hacks – download our free Nomad Gear Guide


Travel Hacking

Travel Hacking posts on Intentional Travelers
A small collection of blog posts from our own experiences getting started with travel hacking. In our first year, we earned enough miles for two round-trip international trips (for two) and then we just kept going…


Digital Nomads


Digital Nomad posts on Intentional Travelers


 

Blogging

ConvertKit We switched to this e-mail newsletter platform after using MailChimp, and we’d recommend it to anyone serious about blogging as a business. Convertkit is better designed for building your list and serving your audience.

Many of our other blogging tools can be found in this post: Our Top Freelance Remote Work Business Tools


Disclosure: This page includes affiliate links. That means if you click and proceed to buy something, we can get a commission at no additional cost to you. We’re committed to only recommending things that we absolutely love and truly believe in.

Budget travel websites and tools we love - sign up for even more in depth tips on budget accommodations, flights, tours, etc. with our free Intentional Travelers e-mail series