Trading And Traveling For A Living
My passion for travel combine with my love for the financial market. But I’m not a jet setter flashing million dollar life style. I'm a conscious traveler and a low profile person. I rather get myself immerse in the local life, eat street foods and discover the country, rather than doing the usual tourist attractions. I'm a "slow traveler", which means I like to take time when traveling, to really absorb myself with what the country I'm visiting has to offer.
For independent traders, like myself, there is no such thing as paid vacation. When I travel, I'm bringing my "office" with me, trading remotely. That means I have to adapt my travel around my trading strategy, the time frames I use, the market hours ...etc.
Being a "Nomad Trader" is not as glamorous as people may think. In order to make money, and sustain my activity, I have to be consistent with my daily routine, to follow my trading plan, to be one with my process. Its far from the parties, the night life, the get rich quick schemes some of the internet "gurus" are selling.
My Trading Hardware
Macbook Air (I will update soon to the new MBP)
Asus USB Portable Monitor 15.6″ (helpful but not always needed)
iPad Pro with Duet app to use as my 3rd monitor when needed.
Portable HD to backup my trade journal and edit my videos
Tumi Backpack (pricey but very reliable and build like a tank)
A good internet connection is key to your trading journey. It can be really annoying when wifi connection is unreliable, which was the case when I was in Bangkok earlier this month, the internet was horrible and made it impossible to trade from my hotel room. I had to trade from coffee shop (not a good idea, too many distractions) or from co-working spaces (Thailand has some of the most cozy and friendly co-working spaces).
A good habit is to test your connection by placing, and cancelling orders, just to make sure everything is responding accordingly. Being a Swing trader, I'm less affected by the speed of the connection, unlike some of the Scalpers out there, but a reliable connection is a must.
Friends back home often tells me, "Hey VTL, you are so lucky, always on vacation!"...if only they knew how much hard work it is to travel and trade.
There's not easy way to make money, its just a matter of perspective and choice. I chose to be location independent, living a nomadic life , and trading as a way to be financially free. The grass is not greener on my side, but I'm sure happier than many 9 to 5 workers trapped in their "rat race".
VTL
