How to Become a Digital Nomad With a Pet in Tow

Written by Ed Carter – Featured “black cat” photo by Ruca Souza (Pexels)

Editor’s Note: We welcome yet another blog by guest author Ed Carter on a subject near and dear to my heart. It was not until I retired before I discovered the joy, responsibilities (and challenges) of pet ownership. I have two little doggies (one bichon frise named “Gracie” and a yorkie-poo named “Brewster”) who keep me engaged and occupied throughout the day. “Daddy, I’m hungry.” “Can I have a bone?” “It’s time to go out…” Those frequent walks are good for me and part of this retiree’s long term wellness plan! But, pets may also restrict the flexibility of your schedule and limit travel. You cannot necessarily “drop everything” at the last minute and take a cruise or long car trip. (I’m not putting my “kids” in a pet jail, aka a kennel!) Planning is essential. Ed shares new perspectives on merging the demands of your digital job (encore career, business or retirement pursuit) with the needs of your sometimes fussy furry family members. PKF

Deciding to pack up and chase the digital nomad dream isn’t as easy when you have a pet depending on you. But it’s not impossible. You’ll just need a different kind of strategy—one that balances your professional goals with your animal companion’s comfort and safety. If you’re ready to take your work on the road without leaving your dog, cat, or other furry friend behind, here’s how to make it happen and thrive.

You Are the Brand—Market Like It

You’ve probably heard this before, but now it’s even more true: your personal brand matters. When your lifestyle is non-traditional, clients and employers want reassurance that you’re still professional and reliable. Build an online presence that highlights your experience, your skills, and the unique flavor you bring to the table. Whether it’s a clean portfolio website, a LinkedIn page with testimonials, or social proof via Twitter threads or TikToks, you’ll want your digital footprint to reflect someone who gets the job done—dog barking in the background or not.

How Education Can Reboot Your Career Path

If you’re feeling stuck in your current role or ready to transition into something more dynamic, going back to school can be the smartest move you make. For instance, by exploring a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, you’ll open the door to new opportunities in tech, where the demand for problem-solvers and creative thinkers never slows down. Also, learning online means you’ll have the flexibility to pursue your degree at your own pace, so you can continue working while you build your future.

Pick a Job That Gives You Breathing Room

Not all remote jobs are built equally, especially when you’ve got a pup tugging at your sleeve or a cat trying to walk across your laptop. Jobs with flexible hours or asynchronous communication are a goldmine here. Think virtual assistance, freelance writing, UI/UX design, social media management, or coding—anything that lets you pause when you need to and doesn’t expect you to be online at 9:00 a.m. sharp in someone else’s time zone. It’s also worth considering pet-focused work like blogging about your travels together or offering online pet training consultations if you’ve got the skillset.

Stretching the Budget Is an Art

Moving around with a pet in tow doesn’t just cost more—it requires creative budgeting. Flights often come with extra fees for animals, and not every country has affordable vet care. To save, consider slow travel, staying in each spot for at least a month to cut down on housing costs. Sign up for loyalty programs, travel with collapsible gear to avoid bulky luggage fees, and always build an emergency buffer for unexpected pet expenses.

Downtime for You, Uptime for Them

You’ve got Zoom calls and deadlines, but your pet doesn’t care. Their boredom can quickly become your stress. To keep them occupied, build routines they can count on—morning walks, midday playtime, and evening snuggles. Fun pet toys, lick mats, and interactive feeders are your new best friends. If you’re in a location for a while, look into local pet daycare options or even trusted pet-sitters who can help when your calendar’s packed.

Communication Is Still the Currency

When your lifestyle is flexible, your communication needs to be rock solid. Clients shouldn’t have to guess if you’re off-grid or just ignoring their messages. Use tools like Slack, Notion, or Trello to keep everyone aligned. Set expectations upfront about your availability, stick to response time windows, and always double-check your time zone math before scheduling meetings. Transparency builds trust, and it’s the one thing you can’t afford to fumble when you’re juggling time zones, Wi-Fi hiccups, and a restless Labrador.

Get Paid Without the Headache

No matter where you’re working from, you still need to get paid like a pro. Skip the international wire transfer chaos and set yourself up with services like Wise, Payoneer, or Deel that cater to global freelancers. These platforms help cut down on currency conversion fees, and many now offer debit cards linked to your earnings. Just make sure you’re still handling taxes back home—yes, even if you’re on a beach in Bali.

Plug Into the Right Tools

Your tech stack can make or break your setup, especially when your “office” might be a hammock or a hostel lounge. A reliable VPN keeps your data secure on public Wi-Fi, while apps like Clockify help you track billable hours. Backup power banks and a universal adapter are non-negotiables, and a noise-canceling headset can turn a chaotic café into a client-ready zone. For pet tracking, consider a GPS collar if your dog has wanderlust, or a camera you can check from your phone to ease any separation anxiety.

Taking your life and career on the road with a pet isn’t going to be flawless. There’ll be missed trains, barking during meetings, and that one time your cat jumped on your keyboard mid-presentation. But with some intentional planning, the right tools, and a healthy dose of flexibility, the rewards far outweigh the bumps. You’re not just choosing freedom for yourself—you’re creating a life where your companion gets to come along for the adventure.

Check out other articles by Guest Author Ed Carter at this blog site:

4 Tips for Artists Seeking an Extra Income Stream

by Ed Carter

Editor’s Note: This month’s blog will feature guest writer Ed Carter, a retired financial planner. (See his website here.) His piece intrigued me, and also made me reflect on the numerous music educators who do freelance work. Even for retired music educators, it is important to continue our active involvement in the field of “creative self-expression” – (what inspired us to go into music in the first place?) – regardless of whether it is for pay or pro bono and now part-time: private teaching, church directing or accompanying, performing in or conducting music ensembles or musical theater, adjudicating festivals, coaching, composing, or arranging for school groups, teaching in higher education, or serving in the music industry. How are you “making music” today?

Research shows that about 45 percent of Americans have a side gig, and they do this for many reasons. It’s obviously a great way to ease financial strain, but it’s also a chance to delve deeper into something that you enjoy, hone skills, and change up your network.

Artists, who often experience economic instability, are one party that might find themselves supplementing revenue from their artwork with a secondary job. On the flip side, you might be considering flexing your creative muscles by engaging in an artistic moonlighting opportunity.

If you need or are interested in earning extra cash while pursuing art, a side hustle may be the way to go. Here are four tips to help you get started.

1. Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis

There are many profitable avenues you can pursue on the side, from blogging and data entry to making balloon animals at parties and walking dogs. A number of gigs even allow you to express your creative side while making a profit and leaving time for you to practice the art that is your main passion, such as selling items on Etsy. You need to pick a job that meets three criteria:

You get what you need from it
You can do it, and
You have what you need to do it.

List the options that appeal to you the most. Research startup costs, competition and markets. Look at each potential gig and ask yourself a few questions:

Does this give you enough flexibility?
Is the initial time and money investment something you can afford?
Do you have the skills and ability to keep doing the work long enough for it to pay off?
Is there enough profit potential to justify the effort, not just physically but emotionally and mentally?
What are the risks?

Tally up the costs and benefits and decide if the side gig is worth it.

2. Start With a Trial Run

If you are still inclined to take a chance on a side hustle after reviewing the above-mentioned aspects, don’t immediately throw everything you have into it. Do a test run instead; offer services for a limited period or only produce a set amount of product to see if your plan is feasible and if you enjoy it enough to stick with it.

3. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Organization

Keep your side gig details separate from other parts of your life. Use a different email, different files, and possibly even a different bank account. As the source Company Bug points out, the latter helps with filing taxes and looking professional.

Check out automation for bookkeeping and invoicing purposes. Keep detailed records with online backups, and consider adding an app that makes it easy to stay on top of your finances and share data with your accountant.

4. Manage Your Energy Efficiently

Everyone has a finite amount of energy. Managing your time and energy carefully helps you be more effective and happier as you go about your daily tasks. As Todoist recommends, write down a to-do list each morning and schedule out blocks of time so that you can stay abreast of your obligations. Consider planning ahead by weeks and months as well. If you need a break, though, be sure to take it to avoid burnout and waning motivation.

Doing your art for art’s sake is one thing, and doing it as a business is another. When starting a side gig, it is important to make sure you understand what you are getting into and that you have the resources to do it. Being aware of the risks and costs, organizing and doling out energy cautiously can help you secure success.

Photo from Pexels by MART PRODUCTION
Images from Pixabay by Brenda Geisse (flute), artesitalia (conductor), Vlad Vasnetsov (guitar teaching), and Светлана Бердник (dance lesson)

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