Can I Afford To Be A Digital Nomad As An Artist? My Income vs Expenses Breakdown

[@elliebe2548]

I’m a Belgian illustrator living the digital nomad life. I’ve been on the road non-stop traveling solo since the fall of 2021. First 11 months in Portugal and a month in Spain, then 5 months Bali, a month back home, now 2 months in Sri Lanka and I’ll be flying to Vietnam in 10 days. I personally think it’s possible to spend less while traveling than if I would live back home! I do not have an apartment or house back in Belgium so I’m not paying rent/electricity/… for that. And I choose countries that are cheap, stay in low budget accommodation (though I don’t stay in hostel dorms 😅 - I also want my own space to work) and often eat cheap local food, though occasionally I splurge on a fancy meal. Of course it’s very easy to spend much more money on traveling if you stay in more fancy accommodation, do lots of organised daytrips, … but it is definitely possible to travel with a low budget. Staying in a place for at least a month often brings down the price of accommodation and it will prevent you from getting travel burnout. And it’s easier to be able to focus on my illustration work when staying in a place for a bit longer. Though a location does need to feel right and have the right amenities to stay that long - here in Sri Lanka I never wanted to stay in a location longer than a week, though I still recommend it as a great place to visit, I just never found a place I could actually see myself stay longer. At the moment my income has dropped a bit because a big client has reduced the amount of work they buy from me and this is a bit scary. I have a good amount of money saved up though so this gives me a buffer and it makes me aware to stick to my travel budget as much as possible. So now I’m working on some new personal projects related to travel illustration that are so much fun to work on but it will take some time to grow them and make them profitable… For now it’s working out very well to live this digital nomad life. Obviously if I’d be traveling in Europe, the US or other more expensive countries I’d be spending much more and would probably not be able to make it work financially. But it’s easy enough to choose countries that are more affordable. By the way a great option to save some money while traveling in these more expensive countries could be to volunteer on an organic farm. I did that in Portugal, usually they will make you work for 5 hrs in the morning, but it will leave your afternoons and weekends free for you to do what you want so you could still work on your own projects and they will provide you with basic accommodation and food. I did this in Portugal for 3 months. Mind you, it is very physically intense work to work on a farm but usually the surroundings are very beautiful and it is very satisfying work. Anyway, just wanted to say to everybody here it’s totally doable!

[@Manifesting_Secret_Sketchbook]

WOW 😊

[@poppyMia-rl8bl]

My dream is to live in a cottage some day:) I live in the UK so there is quite a lot of opportunities to live in the country side!!Your art is beautiful and you inspire me to create art. Your videos are so relaxing as well:)

[@valkiriART]

It's amazing to see how far you've come with your art!!! I love seeing you be a digital nomad with your own art bussiness, I hope to be able to do that some day. Thank you for sharing your journey and being so open with your numbers and finances ❤

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's so nice of you - I really appreciate it 😊🩷

[@velekai437]

Such an inspiration. I'm in the process of starting to switch to digital art from acrylic and Watercolor. Some day I hope to ditch my daily job and travel across the USA. Glad to see that it can be done if I just invest my time and energy.

[@MimimooIllustration]

That sounds like a great goal to have!

[@amaatelier]

Thank you so much for your transparency, that really help !

[@Questionablexfun]

i love these videos. they're so helpful and transparent and it helped me to show my partner and family my goals and the real steps to get there through your journey. it's really helped my family and even my friends understands what i want to do and where i want to be with my art

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh that is so lovely to hear!

[@rondyart]

I just wanted to let you know you’re a real inspiration to me! Thanks for making this channel with all your amazing videos! 😊 P.S. I LOVE your illustrations!

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw that is so lovely to hear 🩷

[@AnggiSahamCantik]

Thank you for sharing your number Mimi 🎉 your story excite to keep building my freelance writing business 🎉

[@BlackHayateTheThird]

Thank you for sharing! It's always great to see your journey, and you approach it with such a good and balanced mindset. Wishing you lots of adventures and relaxing days and successes during your digital nomad travels!

[@MimimooIllustration]

Aw thank you so much! 🩷

[@MeyTribe]

Ohhhh you went to my side of the world ! I've been nomading since 2016, on and off from my country to others, with periods in mine (covid anyone?? LOL) and in 2021 I came to Bansko and kinda stayed here... So many DNs here and expats move here . If you ever wanna visit Bansko- let me know, would be happy to help out in any way :) (it's extremely cheap here, you can get a 1 bedroom apartment for 500-600 australian dollars. - great place for me when I started my channel - since I could focus on income streams that make less money in the beginning)

[@mieke_illustration]

This is amazing, congrats Mimi! So happy to see all of your hard work paying off! Definitely a source of inspiration for all who are on a similar path 😊

[@WedgyBlue]

This is amazing, I wish I could travel too especially in Australia where my cousins living. I prefer to say here in my country for now and work for 200 subs special, I think simple then grow big!

[@lifeofdanie]

This is fascinating! Im currently a digital nomad, and have always wished to include more of my art as a way to continue funding the lifestyle, really enjoyed watching your breakdown!

[@tofugoob]

Never been so early to a vid! Thank you so much for showing it is possible to live as an artist. I am hoping to make the leap to quit my job and pursue art full time and these videos are SO helpful

[@MimimooIllustration]

Ooh that's so exciting!

[@yelowme.design]

Thanks for sharing your journey. It's a huge inspiration! I hope I can become a digital nomad someday. I'm curious about how you track your expenses and incomes. Do you use an app, excel sheet, notion?

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I'd want to spend too much time exploring and soaking up everything I could. I didn't know you could get that close to the ceilings in Rome. I would love to do that! I was able to go see original Disney artwork at a museum in New Orleans once, it was so incredible being able to see the original Disney artists pencil marks. Thank you so much for this video!

[@aidaisabelgonzales3685]

Such an inspiration 🫶 I really enjoy your KZbin contents, showing the scenes behind beautiful your arts and crafts, and what it's like being a digital nomad with your arts business. Please continue making videos like this! Im an avid fan 😊

[@introvertspeakers]

Hello mimimoo, do you represented by agencies to get a picture book project? Illustration agency or literary agency ? US agency or Australia agency, i hope i can tget information from you, best luck for you, TYIA ❤

[@jonr6680]

I'm inclined to hate you for the relentless rationality you are displaying! I thought artists were meant to be flakey, tortured souls prone to cutting off their ears?? Actually good luck and have a great time. Anyone who has the focus to break down their entire budget on KZbin is clearly exceptional. (Maybe it's genetic, this Aussie does Europe thing? Did you decide, or were you compelled to, like salmon swimming upstream??)

[@mosugi]

Thanks for sharing so much info with us! Don't know if someone has already asked this, but when you said you sold most of your stuff before travelling, did this mean you also sold/vacated the place you lived in Australia, or are you still paying rent/mortgage while you're overseas? I feel like that would be another large expense that we would still have to consider while travelling, unless you literally sold everything at home - or you had somewhere else to store all your stuff! This is what I did in my early 20s - left my stuff at my mum's house while I travelled and worked, but now in my 30s I own a lot more stuff that it would be a lot more difficult to just get up and go elsewhere for a few months. Sounds like a dream though!

[@amandacasey1946]

That's amazing, well done. This was really valuable information. Thank you

[@kathrynmccarthy]

Thank you so much for the really informative video! Do you also account for time spent working? Last tax season I filed with a tax specialist for the first time and they asked me how many hours I worked on my small business that year. I hadn't really kept thorough track of my hours since I have another full time job, so I'm always just stealing a couple hours here and a couple hours there on my side hustle. I'm also selling digital products so once the thing is made and listed it doesn't require any more time on my part, so I always felt keeping track of my hours wasn't as important as it would be if I were making physical products. Curious to hear your thoughts!

[@aimeecreative]

I LOVE THIS phrase as “digital nomad” it’s exactly what I would love to do in the future great idea!

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

I'm like number 400 exactly 😁 This was a very valuable video, it's interesting to see how possible a digital nomad lifestyle can be! Thank you for sharing this 😊❤️

[@ArtByFerpero]

I am glad you are having a great time and being able to visit so many places! Enjoy! :) I am happy for you

[@SpiritMari]

Thank you for sharing this video! It’s my dream to live as a digital nomad for a period of time before settling somewhere in the countryside. I’m very happy and inspired to hear that it’s doable ❤❤❤😊

[@thinnmarmoody]

But what about your house back in Australia? Don't you need to keep paying for the property you own/rent back in Australia?

[@CreativeOnTheRoad]

Hi Mimi, first of all I love your videos! But I was wondering what your boyfriend does for work?

[@Ruti3131]

🎉🎉 you have inspired me in so many ways and I thank you for your honesty and humbleness, I will become a Patreon next month

[@MeetKevon]

The other comments are true - you're an inspiration. I really enjoy following your journey because you're SO different from all the creators I see on Twitter. You always give me some refreshing perspective about showing my work - thank you. AND keep going :D

[@chloebrownart]

Hi minimoo, fellow full time creative here 😄 I’m sure you may know but wanted to leave you a comment anyway. I would suggest you get an accountant as from what I can tell a lot of travel, accommodation costs can be expensed for example the book fair, the flight to, food for trip and accommodation, the places you recorded in whilst travelling etc. I am not a financial advisor 😂 however I do think it would be great for you to check on this if you have not already done so.

[@m.pravin4503]

Thanks for inspiring me and show me this lifestyle is totally possible for artist. It my dream to explore as an artist

[@KaresTimelessTreats]

Yaasss, thank you for sharing your journey Mimi. This is so informative. You are living my dream! Haha ❤ Sending all the good vibes your way and congratulations on all your accomplishments!

[@MonsterMaker]

I really like that your voice seems more relaxed than other videos! It is much easier for me to listen to. Thank you for sharing your journey with us :)

[@shkhan84]

Thank you for sharing this information in so much detail. Really appreciate it! Good luck with all your endeavours and looking forward to more such informative videos :)

[@bettyszwagierczak4062]

Lovely video, as usual, thank you for being so transparent with the numbers! And it's so good you have some money leftover for emergencies and such!

[@paulinaacosta8748]

I really loved this video!! So inspiring ❤. I love your brushes as well!!!

[@dpcaw]

happy your are living your best life mimi:) congrats

[@ilkaschulze644]

Hey Mimi! Thanks for sharing your numbers. I feel so happy for you, that you're living your dreamlife. It's very inspiring. Enjoy it - and good luck for the cottage! 🧡 (THAT would be really nice!🤩)

[@quitagulley6512]

Thank you. I really enjoy your videos.

[@zhorien]

Thank you for sharing. Love to see the breakdown. It's scary honestly to be freelance in this economy, I hope you can strive for the future.

[@Uniacoty]

Marvelous! I wanted to adopt a digital nomad lifestyle as well, but think it will not be possible if I am to sell physical products. I think I will settle for being able to travel for a few weeks every 6 months.

[@nathanieljohnodi2884]

I am learning so much from your experience as a digital nomad, hopefully I could do the same thing, I just don't any idea how to start.

[@ckmoore]

Thank you for sharing this! Does this already include taking out medical expenses? I'm not sure how it is where you live, but in the USA we have required insurance, which would be separate from taxes. I'm just trying to put the earnings/expenses in the context of required medical insurance, which can be quite expensive.

[@Uniacoty]

Insurance itself isn't required. The money taken from your check through Medicare taxes is used for providing "low cost" Medicare for other people. In reality, you still have to pay an additional hefty fee every month if you want medical insurance for yourself. Anyway, find the gross amount you make vs how much you take home to find the percentage of taxes you pay. Just of course keep in mind that the percentage will continue to increase the more you make.

[@sabrinahuebscher]

Wow 🤩 You are living my dream 😊 So nice to see that this is possible ❤ Thank you for this awesome video and the view in your business and livestyle! All the best from Germany! 😊

[@hannahminnickart]

You give me so much hope! I'm super excited to see where my creative journey takes me within the next two to three years! 😊

[@user-mf1rz9mn3l]

Loved it congrats❤

[@savannahlazo]

Congrats on reaching this point! I want to do this too someday 😊

[@MacaUrzuaHorn]

You are an inspiration!!😃

[@fr3agy]

Soooo inspiring 😭😭😭

[@barbarael]

Congratulations!

[@artbyjennifers]

You are literally living my dream life 😍 Thank you for making all these inspiring videos ❤

[@KasExplorers]

Go girl 👍💜

[@idle_NPC]

I am on my way and hoping that I become the same as you where I have stable income

[@sophiaisabelle01]

You're great at handling art and business. We will always support you.

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's so kind of you!

[@jennymhulla]

AAA you're so close to 100k subscribers 😍 I bet you'll be nomading around the mountains once you hit the milestone hehe

[@MimimooIllustration]

Yess so close now!

[@FutileGrief]

Mimi, this is seriously inspiring, thank you for sharing with us. Makes me feel like my dreams are possible, specially in this really weird and anxiety inducing reality we’re living in, right at the advent of artificial intelligence. I would love to know your thoughts on this and if you’ve experienced an impact on your business and overall outlook on your career. Kinda feeling defeated rn a bit 🫠

[@MimimooIllustration]

So far I've not noticed any impacts from AI, because a lot of what I do is quite personal and shows me as a person 😊 I think there will always be opportunities for artists, even in an AI world!

[@HeatherLewis1700]

It's so amazing to me!!! ❤❤❤

[@liyilivylim6174]

yOU Are Truly AN inSPIiraTION!