Part 1: The Realities of a Wannabe Digital Nomad.

Unraveling Digital Nomadism: My Journey from Side Hustles to Location Independence

How often have you come across a video or an ad claiming you can make hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a day from home, with no experience needed? If you’re anything like me, you’ve seen more than your fair share. For the longest time, I brushed them off, considering them nothing more than get-rich-quick schemes. But then, a video boasting about making $30,000 a month from home caught my eye. It felt too enticing to for me to ignore, leading me down the rabbit hole of “Side Hustles”.

Though I’ve learned a lot in my deep dive, I realize it’s just the tip of the iceberg. As I kept exploring, I stumbled upon the concept of “Digital Nomads”, and it got me thinking. Why not return to the countries I visited years ago while in the military? How could I make this happen? Could side hustles be the answer? What even is a digital nomad, and is it any different from having a side hustle?

I invite you to join me on my journey, where I try to unravel these mysteries. Along the way, I hope to show you a thing or two, inspire you, and perhaps even provoke you to question the norms and explore for yourself. I believe in calling out the BS when I see it, so expect nothing but raw, unfiltered insights from my experience. Let’s embark on this adventure together.

The Side Hustle Misconception: High Earnings or High Hopes?

So, what exactly is a Side Hustle? It is generally defined as additional work or a job you get paid for doing on top of your primary job—in other words, a part-time gig to earn some extra money. This, however, is far from the claims of making thousands of dollars a month I’d initially encountered. Why the discrepancy? Well, some ‘gurus’ conveniently leave out details like necessary experience or the degrees required for these jobs, while others paint a more complete, accurate picture.

Let’s delve into an example. You might have heard about earning $10-$30 an hour simply by typing. Is it true? Technically, yes. The catch, however, is that this typically refers to transcribing videos, with compensation ranging from 2-5 cents every five minutes, depending on quality and accuracy. Doing the math, that’s about 42 videos an hour on the low end (2 cents) and about 18 videos an hour on the high end (5 cents) just to scrape by. How does one reach the dreamy figure of $30 an hour, which would imply around 10 videos an hour? Well, that requires building a solid client base and establishing a strong reputation through high-quality work.

I, personally, am not the fastest typist, and the prospect of watching videos for a living doesn’t really appeal to me. There are options like YouTube’s auto-transcription, but that’s time-consuming and may not be viable if a client needs their video transcribed quickly. While there are other methods I haven’t explored yet, at this point, transcription doesn’t seem to be a viable side hustle for me.

Now let’s talk about data entry. Advertisements claim you can make $35 an hour, no experience necessary. I thought to myself, ‘I can type, and I can input data. What’s the catch?’ Upon investigating, I found that these jobs do indeed exist, but here is the rub—a degree was required. Why would I need a degree for data entry? It turns out, data entry often involves more than simply inputting information into a database. It can involve analytics and creating data models for specific purposes—skills I don’t currently possess. While there are jobs that solely involve inputting data, they certainly don’t pay $35 an hour.

The take-home message here? The side hustle market is not as straightforward as it initially appears.

A.I. Side Hustle: The Reality Behind the Dream

What is an A.I. side hustle? There isn’t a textbook definition, but in the realm of YouTube videos, it’s depicted as a savvy computer doing all the work while you merely instruct it on what to do. The perfect solution for a lazy person like me who’s in love with the idea of easy money. After all, that’s the whole point of this journey, right? To make extra cash with minimal effort.

But wait, let’s back up. ‘No experience necessary,’ they said. ‘So simple you could do it in your sleep,’ they promised. They sold me dreams of an A.I. that writes term papers, passes the bar exam, and even codes. What’s not to love? Sign me up!

However, as I soon discovered, there’s a catch. It’s not enough to merely ask the A.I. for something; you need to know how to ask correctly. In the beginning, quality YouTubers offering clear guides were as rare as hen’s teeth. Nevertheless, I experimented, improved, and my responses became better. Now, there are hundreds of YouTubers explaining how to use A.I., and their videos, combined with my trial and error, have significantly boosted my skills.

So, what about the story-writing capabilities of A.I.? ‘Whip out hundreds of stories,’ they said. Simple, right? Not quite. I’ve penned five stories I’m proud of, regardless of their initial quality. Imagine feeding 100 pages of a story you’ve labored over for years to an A.I. and having it condensed to a crisp 20 pages. Filler words and irrelevant sections, all gone. It was a harsh but necessary lesson, one that’s transformed my writing approach significantly.

What’s the connection between all this and making easy money, you ask? It’s simple: while A.I. can indeed make the process easier, it doesn’t make it entirely effortless. You need to invest time and work to reap the rewards. The promise of ‘easy money’ may have lured me into the world of A.I., but it’s the reality of hard work and consistent learning that’s keeping me here. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s continue the journey.

Small Spaces, Big Dreams: My Journey to a Functional Home Workspace

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, constantly churning with ideas and aspirations. Suddenly, it struck me – why not create a YouTube channel sharing my journey on making money with A.I.? After all, I began with no prior experience; surely, others might appreciate my insights and learn from my journey.

However, the idea of conducting this venture from my coffee table, lounging on my couch, and typing on a TV screen simply wouldn’t do. I live in a small apartment, and space is a premium commodity. The solution? Transforming an unused corner into a functional workspace!

With a bit of rearranging and decluttering, I found the perfect spot for a desk. I envisioned a workspace that would enhance my focus, provide comfort, and allow me to enjoy my music through headphones – something I couldn’t do from my couch due to distance.

So, I took the plunge and invested in a compact L-shaped desk and a comfortable chair. The cable management was a bit of a nightmare, but the result? A neat, stylish desk that even accommodates my gaming gear. With a cool LED light strip for that added ‘wow’ factor, the workspace finally felt complete. And the best part? It was all on sale, amounting to about $500 in total.

Having sorted out the workspace, it was time to turn my attention to the computer. While it handled a few of my favorite games adequately, I realized it wasn’t up to the mark for my upcoming A.I. ventures. Thankfully, with the new workspace ready, I had the perfect spot to house an upgraded machine.

Tech Upgrade: A Journey of Skill Acquisition

As an electrician by trade, fixing electronics comes naturally to me. I’d built just two computers at this point, and it was time for a significant upgrade. I’m not going to sugarcoat it – I splurged on my new computer rig. The impulsion? The need for a robust graphics card to run my editing software, something my previous rig just couldn’t handle.

The thought led me to an exciting idea: why not build a rig that could handle VR? This, of course, necessitated a larger case, a full-sized one to accommodate all the new components. Spotting a deal on dual monitors, I thought, ‘why not?’ and purchased them as a pair. With the addition of a quality microphone and high-grade computer speakers for an immersive gaming and music experience, the rig was shaping up nicely.
The total damage? A little under $3,000. As I tallied up the costs, I realized, to my dismay, that I’d overlooked one crucial detail: the software. I didn’t put any money aside for software. But, worst-case scenario? I’d just built a state-of-the-art gaming computer.

Assembling the hardware took only a couple of hours, but the cable management in the full-size case was far from the breeze I’d anticipated. It took hours of painstaking work, so much so that I became proficient at assembling and disassembling the rig. By the last attempt, I could do it in a matter of minutes. A recurring theme seemed to emerge – a journey of skill acquisition, learning, and fine-tuning.

Finding Resolve Amid Disappointment: My Struggle With AI

Life has a peculiar way of introducing obstacles when we least expect them. My plan was to launch a YouTube channel where I’d debunk myths about AI hustle schemes. I was eagerly honing my skills, meticulously planning my content, and researching AI side hustles.

Then came the blow – others had the same idea, and they were faster. Platforms like Etsy were awash with chat prompts similar to those I had envisioned. These weren’t the usual cheesy, generic prompts; they were sophisticated and meticulously crafted, much like my own work. AI-written books started flooding Google Play and Amazon, not even reaching my level of storytelling.

Just as I was grappling with this reality, Google Play banned AI-generated books. This was due to a program that could detect AI-written content, primarily aimed at preventing college students from using AI to cheat on term papers. Curious, I ran my own content through the program. The result: a 20% chance of being AI-generated, which was absurd as I hadn’t used AI on that work.

When I ran an AI-written short story and an AI-written e-book I’d purchased, they scored a 99% and a 90% chance, respectively. A section of my current work scored a 50%, which was puzzling. How should I proceed in the face of these obstacles?

Well, a YouTube dive led me to the revelation that using AI to improve my writing wasn’t similar to cheating. It’s more like a tool, an auto-tune for writers, aiding grammar checks, refining plot development, and maintaining the narrative tone. While workarounds existed, and my stories retained their uniqueness, I still felt unprepared to publish.

My curiosity was piqued when I stumbled upon several websites banning AI-generated content, with Google Play being the main culprit. An article, ‘Google is NOT against AI-generated content…’ published by SEO.ai in January 2023, left me flabbergasted. Just a month earlier, I’d watched three different videos discussing this very ban and potential workarounds. The initial video on the subject had been posted nine months back, and since then, several others had appeared discussing workarounds. Intriguingly, they even shared news about Google Play changing their stance on AI-generated content in January. Google Play’s motive seemed to be avoiding potential trouble. This left me questioning the validity of the other two videos I had watched.

In my attempts to make sense of this contradictory information, I fine-tuned my search, uncovering an April 2022 article: ‘Google says AI Generated Content is Against Guidelines.’ This discovery posed an interesting question – were those recent videos, barely a month old, just clickbait, exploiting a now irrelevant issue? Or, like me, had they hastily overreacted based on partial information? This ordeal taught me a valuable lesson about the critical importance of verifying content. It’s been a rollercoaster journey, indeed, but one that has honed my research skills and fostered a healthy dose of skepticism. On the bright side, I’ve acquired some handy new skills along the way!

Here’s what I learned from this experience: life presents us with a mountain to climb, filled with unexpected challenges. You can either ascend to the peak or retreat. I chose to continue the climb, only to find another mountain waiting for me at the summit. But guess what? I’m up for the challenge. I’m eager to explore e-commerce, to see what treasures lie atop this new mountain.

Outro

And there you have it, folks! My rollercoaster ride of a journey so far in this world of AI, side hustles, and digital nomad dreams. I hope you’ve enjoyed it, found it helpful, or at least got a chuckle out of my trials and tribulations. Hey, if you didn’t learn anything else, at least you’ve picked up some tips on how to navigate the wild world of AI detection and you’ve now got a solid plan for your next game of ‘Is It AI or Human?’

In my next blog, I’ll be dipping my toes into the enchanting sea of e-commerce. Oh, did I mention? It’s not as relaxing as dipping your toes into an actual sea. But worry not, dear readers, I’ll be here to share the good, the bad, and the utterly bewildering aspects of this new journey. I’m armed to the teeth with research, and I’ve got my explorer’s hat on, ready to learn hands-on. I promise it’ll be worth your while – or at the very least, you’ll get a good laugh at my expense!

So, stay tuned for the next installment of the ‘The Wannabe Digital Drifter Diaries,’ where your humble guide ventures forth into the wild unknown. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this. See you in the next blog post – unless I get lost in the e-commerce jungle, of course!

The Outro was written by only AI. Not bad…

Part 2: Tick Tock, Cash, and Chuckles: The Real Hours of a Scratch-Start E-commerce.

The Unvarnished Truth of Being Your Own Boss

My dreams were filled with shiny gold dollar signs and visions of a budding business empire, and they still are. Perhaps it’s just my ego talking. There’s a ton I’ve learned about myself throughout this journey – chief among them being, I am constantly exhausted. This was supposed to be simple. Spoiler alert: it’s anything but. That said, it’s not entirely a grim tale. Things are starting to get a bit easier, even though I haven’t officially started any business yet. I hope that by sharing my experiences thus far, I can help you set realistic expectations for your own journey.

As a total novice, I had no experience in the ventures I was about to undertake. Consequently, I’ve been binging on instructional videos and tinkering with various AI tools. Bing’s chatbot was my initial favorite, but after some changes, it now feels more like an overhyped search engine. However, I discovered ChatGPT and it’s been my go-to ever since. I’ve tried to meld different strategies into my method. For instance, writing a blog has a dual purpose for me and sets the groundwork for a third objective. I use ChatGPT to proofread my papers – this helps me improve my command of writing prompts. Concurrently, I use WordPress to delve into analytics, a skill I’m keen on mastering. The third purpose is to launch a YouTube channel. By writing a blog, I am effectively scripting my future videos.

Be Your Own Boss, They Said… You’ll Have All The Time In The World, They Said…

Well, let’s just say I’m still chuckling about that one. In retrospect, it’s mostly my own fault; I was the one who deluded myself. A few hours here, a sprinkle there, and voilà! I’d have my first business raking in thousands per week. That’s the dream, right? Here’s the reality: I work a full-time job, typically clocking almost 50 hours a week spread across four days. Then there’s my business – a seven-day-a-week commitment. Spare moments at work? I’m researching, brainstorming, and blogging. This past weekend, I barely had a chance to touch my side project due to my workload. When I finally got home, I spent the precious dinner hour multitasking on my business before going to bed.

Days off, you ask? They’re dedicated to mastering the tools of my future trade. So, in terms of hours, my business is practically a second full-time job. Yes, I am aware it is funny saying that when I haven’t even opened a business yet.

One day, while grinding away at work, I had an epiphany – and no, it wasn’t of the divine sort. I grasped how people transform from zeroes to heroes, even millionaires. It boils down to dedication and perseverance. No shortcuts. I need to learn the field, sharpen my skills, and put in the time. That’s step one. Step two… Well, I haven’t gotten that far yet.
If I truly want to live the life of a digital nomad, I need to create multiple income streams. Initially, I thought it was all hype, drummed up by blowhards hunting for views. Then I feared I’d bought into the hype, tumbling down an entrepreneurial rabbit hole. But once I scrutinized several platforms, the competition was undeniable. If one income stream dries up, I will need another one. Multiple incomes is going to be the way for me to go.
And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, I’ll join the ranks of those millionaires after all.

“Diving Deep: The Importance of Research in Starting Your Own Business”

Before you take the plunge, do your homework. It’s as simple as that. Don’t get swept up in the wave of excitement without understanding what you’re getting into. It’s vital to question, research, and probe any business or investment you’re considering. Utilize all the resources at your disposal – YouTube, blogs, forums, you name it. Leave no stone unturned and don’t make the same mistake I did – assuming that some sources like blogging were dead. Trust me, they are very much alive.

After you’ve gathered all the information, it’s time for some soul-searching. Ask yourself the critical question – why are you doing this? Is it out of boredom, job dissatisfaction, or a genuine desire to try something new? This self-interrogation is key because it fuels your motivation.

For instance, I’ve been delving into my business idea, researching, and honing my skills, for five months without opening a store. As an impatient person, this is an anomaly for me. I’ve overshot my own timeline not once but twice. But I see progress in the skills I’m acquiring and find myself resisting the urge to leap in unprepared.

I want my time and money to count, to lead to success rather than wasted efforts. So, I’m taking my time to develop and learn, reminding myself to be patient. Messing up is part of the process, and I’ve made peace with that. After all, it’s the best way to learn. Remember, in the journey of starting a business, rushing won’t get you far. But patience, research, and learning from your mistakes just might.

Investments and Returns: My Startup Capital Experience

I must admit, I didn’t intend for this to transform into a self-help post. My goal was to share some of my thoughts and experiences, especially on my startup expenses. Those who read my first blog will remember the costs I’ve incurred on my computer and my tiny workspace that I’ve fashioned out of my living space.

Would I advise someone to shell out the same amount on their computer as I did on mine? The answer is no. The reason? Well, I’m a bit of a geek who enjoys playing video games and chatting with friends online. Sadly, these activities have taken a back seat lately as my projects have commandeered my attention and time. And while my computer rig serves me well, offering comfort and fantastic sound for my music, I wouldn’t recommend it for someone starting out. A more affordable laptop will get the job done just fine.
However, investing in a dedicated home office setup is something I would recommend. It has given me the right mindset and the extra storage is a bonus. Thanks to the constant sales on Amazon and their Prime delivery, setting up your home office needn’t be a headache.

I also signed up for paid subscriptions on WordPress and Midjourney, which turned out to be necessary. While I tried to stick to free resources to keep costs low, these two required investments. The irony doesn’t escape me – I’ve never been one to worry about costs, yet here I am, doing just that. Perhaps it explains why I spent so many years living paycheck to paycheck. It’s funny how starting a business brings about changes in more ways than one!

My Simple-yet-Complex Game Plan

My game plan seems simple at a glance: open a WordPress account to blog, get on Midjourney to create images, decide on a mockup website, and then launch a store on Etsy. But, as I’ve come to learn, there’s nothing simple about this journey. It’s not about intelligence, it’s about gaining experience while navigating unfamiliar territory. And, for a moment, I’ve begun to question the wisdom of those YouTubers (just kidding… mostly).

WordPress

I opted for WordPress for a few reasons. Its free blog hosting feature, though lacking full access to all tools without a paid domain, was a big draw. Plus, every catchy name I came up with seemed to already exist elsewhere. I’ve concluded that truly original ideas are an endangered species! However, on WordPress, after some digging, I managed to secure a domain I liked, although I had to pay for it. But score! I got a two-for-one deal, securing two years of domain hosting for the price of one – a cool hundred bucks.
Despite its initially intimidating interface, WordPress is surprisingly one of the easiest sites I’ve had to learn. It’s user-friendly, and its advanced controls are intuitive. It turns out that the domain I purchased was someone else’s (inactive for three months). After cleaning the slate, I posted my blog, utilizing tags, keywords, and SEO-friendly phrases that I learned from various tutorials (a shout-out to note-taking!). While WordPress does offer instructional videos, be warned, they are sleep-inducing, despite their attempts at fun. On a high note, my initial strategy seems to be working as my first post saw a hundred views in less than a day. Key takeaway: mastering traffic-driving skills is vital. Now if only I could figure out how to edit the “ABOUT” section. Baby steps, I guess.

Midjourney

Midjourney, where should I start? Let’s just say, it’s not my favorite. It doesn’t offer a trial subscription, so I’m shelling out $8 a month just to learn the ropes. My early experiences were challenging, but as I improved my commands, the results improved. However, it froze when I asked for a “scary picture of the Men In Black” – an issue I never had with other platforms. Still, I’m getting the hang of it, even managing to request complex images with somewhat successful outcomes. Although there are other AI-generated graphic programs available, most are not yet commercialized, and the ones that are… well, they pale in comparison to Midjourney.
Choosing Mockup Programs – An Unsolved Mystery
Every time friends, all two of them, or my girlfriend, bring up mockup programs, I change the subject faster than you can say “Look! Aliens!” Even when I question myself, I don’t have a solid answer. Yes, it’s somewhat sad. The truth is, I’ve only examined four or five of these programs, and have watched a handful of tutorials. I’ve shortlisted three, each with their unique application relevant to the products I plan to sell. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and Adobe Pro, necessary for these mockups, also factors in. As the world of e-commerce moves quickly, I need to stay updated and make the right decision – especially since I’ll be selling commercially.

Etsy

As for Etsy, I’m nowhere near ready. I lack mockups but have some sale strategies in mind. There are a few more things that I have to learn. Interestingly, Etsy harbors its own dark side. I’ve seen videos and read blogs, where sellers recount being kicked off the platform, their stores closed without explanation. There are also a few who made their copies a little too similar to someone’s else’s product and got banned. In some stories there are a few that went straight up pirate, sellers claim their products were copied, and they were accused of infringement. So there a few sellers that do not care. While I am aware of the cutthroat nature of platforms like Etsy, these stories still shock me. Therefore, the golden rule reverberates don’t copy others’ mockups, ideas, or descriptions. I don’t know if any of these stories are true, but I am going to use a cautious approach. My cautious approach is why I plan to purchase mockups and utilize Midjourney for commercial selling. One key aspect that I am studying is the use of watermarks for product protection. And even when I own the rights, I’ll add an extra layer of protection with watermarks, which in creating seems simple enough, but I am wiser and know better. However, it’s crucial not to get ahead of myself, and to learn the basics first.

Wrapping Up – Patience is Paying Off

After a tireless five-month journey, my efforts are starting to bear fruit. The recent month, although physically draining, has been bountiful in terms of skills and knowledge acquisition. The once-daunting WordPress now feels like familiar terrain, and Midjourney, despite its early challenges, has evolved into a trusted ally in my quest. Delving into an array of mockup programs has expanded my perspective on product presentation possibilities.
On the cusp of entering the big leagues, I estimate my arrival could be as early as two weeks, but a month seems more realistic. As I stand on this exciting precipice, I’m grateful for your company on this exhilarating journey. Thank you for listening to my weekly recap and stay tuned for more updates on this voyage to success.