PN 167: 7 ways to f*ck up your nomad life (before you even start)

The essential checklist most nomads learn the hard way (usually while crying in a foreign airport)...

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Today’s PrideNomad™ Quiz:

Which European city once had a clandestine “Lesbian Parliament” during the early 20th century, attended by women writers, artists, and aristocrats under the guise of a literary club?

Take a guess before scrolling to the bottom!

In Today’s Email:

Reality Check: The Changing Economic Requirements of PrideNomading

Mindset Moment: What’s YOUR Inner OS?

Strategy Talk: he 7 Things You Must Setup Before You Leave

We love Mercury. It’s totally free banking! Perfect for nomads who need borderless business solutions. I've used them for years - they're a game-changer for nomads.

REALITY CHECK

🧭 Income Thresholds Are Rising—And So Is the Cost of Nomad Freedom

If you’ve been dreaming of Mediterranean mornings and café-laptop afternoons in Europe, it’s time to check your numbers—because the gatekeepers just raised the bar.

Croatia and Spain are the latest countries to update their digital nomad visa requirements, and the message is clear: remote freedom is still possible, but it’s going to cost you more than it did last year.

🇭🇷 Croatia: A Steep Climb

As of May 2025, Croatia now requires digital nomads to earn at least €3,295/month to qualify. That’s a sharp increase from the previous requirement of approximately €2,539/month—a 30%+ jump. For a country that once welcomed budget-conscious creatives, the bar has been significantly raised.
📍 PrideNomad Index Rank: #17

🇪🇸 Spain: Keeping Pace with Wage Growth

Spain has adjusted its digital nomad thresholds based on a national minimum wage increase. New minimums are:

  • €2,762/month for individuals

  • €3,797/month for couples

  • Additional for dependents

    All figures are gross (pre-tax), and enforcement is expected to tighten.

    📍 PrideNomad Index Rank: #5

💼 Why It Matters

This isn’t just about income—it’s about access. Countries are repositioning their nomad programs to attract higher-earning residents, quietly shifting from “come explore” to “prove you can afford it.”

For PrideNomads—especially freelancers, early-stage entrepreneurs, or those rebuilding after burnout—this recalibration can feel like a door quietly closing. It’s not the end of the road, but it is a reminder to stay informed, strategic, and a few steps ahead.

🌍 Lower-Barrier Alternatives (With Caveats)

If Spain or Croatia just slipped out of reach, here are four countries with more accessible financial entry points—and what you need to know:

  • 🇧🇷 Brazil

    💸 $1,500/month income or $18,000 in savings

    ✅ PrideNomad Index Rank: #16

    ✨ Vibrant queer scenes in Rio and São Paulo—but safety varies by region.

  • 🇺🇾 Uruguay

    💸 No fixed requirement (just proof of income)

    ✅ PrideNomad Index Rank: #9

    ✨ One of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in Latin America.

  • 🇦🇲 Armenia

    💸 No minimum; register as a freelancer

    ❌ Not yet ranked on the PrideNomad Index

    ⚠️ LGBTQ+ rights are limited. Culturally conservative with low queer visibility.

  • 🇨🇻 Cape Verde

    💸 $1,500/month bank balance for 6 months

    ❌ Not yet ranked on the PrideNomad Index

    ⚠️ Generally safe and friendly but lacks clear LGBTQ+ legal protections.

These options won’t work for everyone. But for those building toward financial stability—or seeking a temporary base—they can offer breathing room while you plan your next move.

Bottom Line: Nomad life is still possible. But in 2025, it’s no longer “just book the ticket.” It’s “show the paperwork.”

We’ll keep tracking every shift—so you don’t have to.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

Get Your Insider’s Guide to Puerto Vallarta

Wondering what daily life might really look like as a digital nomad in Puerto Vallarta?

Let’s paint you a little picture...

You wake up to the sound of waves or birds in the jungle hills.

After a smoothie from the local fruit stand, you head to a breezy café or co-working space with fibre internet and sea views.

Lunchtime? Tacos and cold coconut water from a street vendor who knows your name.

Evenings mean beach walks, art shows, salsa classes, or queer-friendly happy hours where locals and expats mix effortlessly.

It’s not a fantasy — it’s what many of my clients now call normal.

🏡 Ready to turn daydreams into plans?

MINDSET MOMENT:

🧠 Rebooting Your Inner Operating System

If you’re like me, you’ve spent years collecting travel hacks, income streams, and location tips…

But no one ever hands us a manual for our mind.

And let’s be real:

The biggest thing that holds us back isn’t the logistics.

It’s the mental static.

The overthinking. The self-doubt. The demons.

Recently, I started using a new tool called Zenith—and it’s been a total game-changer.

It’s like having your own personal operating system—but one designed to help you live freer, think clearer, and actually enjoy the life you’re building.

My friend Shannon and I started using it this past week, and the shift in clarity, focus, and inner peace has been… fast.

Like, soul-level fast.

And tomorrow (Wednesday), the creator (Rich Schefren) is walking through how it works.

If your brain’s been running outdated code—or if you just want less crazy in your carry-on—I’d highly recommend checking it out.

Because if you want to travel lighter—start with your mind.

🏳️‍🌈 PRE-RELEASE: No Closets. No Borders.

We finally giving our subscribers an exclusive first-look at the new PrideNomad book — and we’re doing it pay what you want (with a $9 minimum). 

Why? There’s a strategy behind that — and I’ll spill it next week.

For now, just know: this isn’t a polished bestseller (yet)
The resource section isn’t even finished.

This is the insider edition — raw, real, and written from the edge of the world.

It’s called:

“No Closets. No Borders. How LGBTQ+ Digital Nomads Can Travel the World,
Find Acceptance, and Create a Life of Freedom”

And it’s everything I wish someone had handed me before I hit the road solo.

Stories. Strategies. Hard truths. Heart.

One early reader called it “a shot of espresso for queer dreamers with wanderlust and Wi-Fi.” 

📖 Download your copy here — and pay what feels right (starting at $9).

Let’s make this movement real for you!

STRATEGY TALK:

🌈 ✈️ The 7 Things You Must Set Up Before You Start Nomading

(Otherwise, you’re not a nomad—you’re a sitting duck with a dead debit card.)

Before you pack your bags or quit your lease, read this. Because being a PrideNomad isn’t just about freedom. It’s about foolproof systems—so the world stays open while you roam.

Every week, I talk to someone who’s ready to go—but paralyzed by one question: “What if I screw this up?”

Not emotionally. Logistically. Like “my bank flagged my account,” “My client’s insurance stopped working,” or “I got locked out of Netflix and now my husband’s crying.”

So if you’re in the “Do I go?” or “How do I go?” phase of your nomad journey, here are the 7 non-negotiables to get in place before you cross that border.

1️⃣ Lock in a Local Mailing Address (Not Your Mom’s)

You need a stable, legal local (home) address. • Why? Banks, government forms, your email footer (CAN-SPAM law, anyone?). • Don’t burden family. Use a service like PhysicalAddress.com. They scan your stuff. You control it remotely. If you need any of that mail actually forwarded to you, they can do that as well.

Pro Tip: Pick a “reputable” zip code. Some virtual addresses get flagged for fraud.

2️⃣ Keep Your U.S. (or local) Bank Account and Credit Cards Active

Never cancel these. Ever. Banks love to shut things down when you log in from a “weird” country. NEVER tell your bank you’ve relocated long-term. ‘On vacation’ = fine. ‘I’ve moved to Uruguay’ = account flagged, card frozen, assets in limbo.

Solution: Use a VPN to make it look like you’re still in Kansas, Dorothy.

3️⃣ Get a Global-Friendly Phone Number

I’m originally from the USA, and have used T-Mobile for over a decade. Their international calling plan is terrific for us. • One number. • International text + roaming. • Keeps you reachable without swapping SIMs like a drug dealer.

You can also go full VoIP with apps like Google Voice or OpenPhone. Of course you’ll use your other standbys like WhatsApp and Facetime.

4️⃣ Set Up a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Yes, even if you’re “not techy.” It hides your actual location, protects your data, and helps you watch Drag Race on Netflix when abroad.

Look on AppSumo.com for lifetime deals, or grab NordVPN or Surfshark and move on with your life.

5️⃣ Sort Out Prescriptions + Health Coverage

Many countries don’t require prescriptions. Thailand, Portugal, Spain? Walk into the pharmacy. Australia? You’ll need a prescription, but easy to get. USA? A maze of co-pays and prayers.

Travel insurance is essential, especially for older nomads. But double-check your existing plan’s out-of-country rules (and coverage limitations). The fine print matters.

6️⃣ Know Where Your Stuff Goes (Hint: Not Into a $500 Storage Unit)

If you’re slowmadding or trying things out, use crate-style storage (like a pod). It’s much more affordable. Pack smart. Put the ‘maybe’ items in an accessible box your cousin can ship when you inevitably scream, ‘Where’s my damn teleprompter?!’ (Ask me how I know.)

You may discover, as I did, that it's just easier to buy a new one.

7️⃣ Create a “Nomad Resilience Plan”

• Who’s your emergency contact?
• Where do you go if your visa expires?
• What happens if a client stops paying?

Freedom = responsibility. Have a Plan B (and C) so your life doesn’t collapse the moment your Airbnb host ghosts you.

👊 Final Thought:

Being a PrideNomad isn’t about being spontaneous—it’s about being so well-prepared you can say yes to anything. Because if your money, meds, mail, and mindset are sorted… you’re not running.

You’re flying.

(And the world is your runway).

P.S. Hey — quick personal note, just between us nomads…

I just released the pre-release edition of my book, No Closets. No Borders.

It’s not fully polished yet — but it’s real. And raw.
And maybe the most honest thing I’ve ever written.

I made it pay what you want (with a $9 minimum), not because I don’t think it’s worth more…
But because I wanted this to reach the people who need it most.

There’s a reason for that — and I’ll share the full story next week.

If you’ve ever felt like the world wasn’t quite made for people like us…

This book might just remind you you’re not alone.

📖 Download your pay-what-you-want copy here before the final version drops.

With pride & wanderlust,

Ken

Answer to Today’s Quiz

Paris, France.

In the 1920s, Paris was a secret haven for lesbian intellectuals like Natalie Clifford Barney and Djuna Barnes, who gathered in hidden salons that quietly shaped queer literary history.

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