Hi all,

I’m an American living in Brazil. I work in AI at a Brazilian firm on a Brazilian contract.

So here’s the thing: Before I accepted this current work contract it was a real struggle for me. I was thinking to myself, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if I was earning in US Dollars down here, that would surely give me an advantage.” I tried applying for US jobs but there simply not a lot of firms that want to hire an employee living in Brazil. I tried following a bunch of digital nomads on Instagram and they keep talking about how easy it is to make passive income digital marketing or on PInterest, or some other site, I just can’t understand how I could get involved with something like that. I tried freelancing on Upwork in my area and couldn’t find many opportunities. I tried looking on remoteok and other digital nomad sites where programmers could get hired. There were barely any postings that went to AI. And most of them went to very senior front end developers with LOTS of years if experience. Finally I applied to local jobs down here and got an offer.

Which brings me to my question, how exactly do you guys make money as digital nomads? It seems like everyone but me has a get rich quick scheme going on or some digitial marketing thing and I just can’t get it. Are people lying and just getting some money on the side from their parents or something?

  • high_elbow@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    It’s hard.

    Most successful digital nomads I know ($150k+) are US-based and in software or corporate accounting/finance. I’ve seen quite a few marketers, freelancers etc., but they always seem preoccupied with cost whereas the SWE/finance guys will casually drop $100 on a meal and not think twice about it while hostel hopping.

      • high_elbow@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        They’re probably just flying by under the radar. Personally, as a corporate finance type, the stereotypes are more applicable to investment banking/private equity (who generally are not remote and work 60 to 100 hours).

        On a related note, why would anyone spend $4k a month on lodging when they can spend $800 if they’re only going to sleep in the room.

    • ricky_storch@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Corporate finance/accounting executives bouncing around hostels? Don’t believe it for a second.