Amy Scott working

The Tools I Use to Work from Anywhere

February 3, 2017 | ,

It can take a lot of different systems, services, and tools to successfully work from anywhere, but the technology available today makes it totally doable and relatively stress-free. (Things have come a long way since I first started out in 2005!)

Here’s as close as I can get to a comprehensive list of all the tools I use to keep Nomadtopia and Nomad Editorial running no matter where I go. Last updated March 2023.

(Note: Links with an * are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission or other credit/benefit—and you may also get free credits or access to special deals. There is no extra cost to you, and every little bit helps support Nomadtopia.)

Online Tools and Services

Task Management: ClickUp*, Asana

Password Management: LastPass*

Mail: My parents (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and Traveling Mailbox*

Invoicing and Bookkeeping: Xero

Payment Processing: PayPal, Stripe, ThriveCart

International Transfers: Xoom, Wise* (formerly TransferWise)

Budgeting: You Need a Budget*

Tax Advice and Preparation: Gracefully Expat

Banking: Capital One Spark Business Checking and Savings, Chase credit cards

Email Marketing: ConvertKit*, Mailchimp

Signing PDFs and Sending Client Contracts: DocHub, HelloSign*

Sharing Documents and Collaborating: Google Drive, Dropbox*

File Back-ups: Sync*, Dropbox*, Backblaze*, Time Machine (Mac only)

PKM, Note-Taking, Collecting Information, etc.: Obsidian (here’s a video showing some of my process for managing content creation using link-based note-making), Fleeting Notes, Readwise

Scanning: CamScanner*, Rocketbook*

Editing and Writing: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Mind-Mapping: Mindmeister*, MindNode

VPN: NordVPN*

Website Hosting: SiteGround*

Domain Registration: NameSilo*

WordPress Themes: Beaver Builder* (Nomadtopia), Divi* (Nomad Editorial)

Site Backups: UpdraftPlus

Online Community/Membership Site/Courses: Mighty Networks*

Webinars/Video Calls: Zoom, Crowdcast

Hosting Video/Audio Files: YouTube, Vimeo* (get up to 25% off with that link!), Dropbox*

Communication: Google Voice, WhatsApp, Zoom

CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Streak*

Hotspot & Data Usage Monitoring: TripMode, My Data Manager

Productivity: Alfred (Mac keyboard shortcuts, search, etc.), f.lux and Twilight (reduce blue light on screens as night falls), RescueTime (track app usage), Zapier (for automation and integrations)

Productivity + more for Mac and iOS: Setapp (get a free month with this link*)

Time Tracking: OfficeTime

Scheduling Appointments: Google Calendar, Acuity Scheduling, TidyCal, World Time Buddy to sort out time differences, Doodle for scheduling with multiple people

Scheduling/Posting to Social Media: SmarterQueue*

Surveys/Forms: Tally, Typeform, Wufoo

Email Management: Gmail, Boomerang*

Podcasting: Audacity, GarageBand, Libsyn, Zoom, QuickTime

Transcription: Otter*, Noota

Tracking Missing Devices: Prey

Health Insurance: SafetyWing*, plus local insurance in Mexico where we spend most of our time

Checking Wi-Fi Speeds: Speedtest.net

Finding Places to Work: Workfrom, LiquidSpace

 

Physical Items

Links with an * are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission or other credit/benefit—and you may also get free credits or access to special deals. There is no extra cost to you, and every little bit helps support Nomadtopia.

13-inch MacBook Air (2022, M2)

Western Digital My Passport* 2 TB external hard drive

USB flash drive

Logitech wireless mouse*

Apple wireless keyboard

Roost* laptop stand

Apple battery charger + batteries

Audio-Technica ATR-2100* microphone and tripod (for Nomadtopia Radio!)

Audio-Technica ATR-3350* lavalier microphone

Get the Top 10 Logistical Things You Need to do before becoming a nomad

(That Aren't What You Think)

When you download the guide, you’ll also be subscribed to the Nomadtopia newsletter. Your email is safe with me and you can unsubscribe anytime. View our Privacy Policy.

Get the Top 10 Logistical Things You Need to do before becoming a nomad