In this newsletter we feature two new articles, announcements from our partners, small quiz, new nomad directory listings, and of course our new edition updates.
We've just wrapped the first round of proofreading for our fourth edition and it's shaping up to be our strongest yet. The design steps away from Instagram trends (we listened to your feedback!) while keeping our signature feel, the stories go deeper, and the page count is the biggest we've ever had. For the first time, we're also publishing an original research piece - something we plan to include in every future edition. A preview of the topics ahead is waiting for you below, but if you can't wait, click here.
We've reached a milestone worth noting: our Nomad Directory has officially reached 100 companies building tools and services for digital nomads around the world.
How Tulum Became My Second Home: Learning to Live, Work, and Wander in Tulum
By Nishtha Dalal · Product Designer & Founder of Pearl Street Design
I didn't expect a moment of distraction on a Zoom call to change my life, but on my second day in Tulum, it did. I was working from the tiny desk of a swim-up condo in Aldea Zama, half listening to a meeting, when I glanced outside and saw my friend and partner floating in the pool, glistening in the early afternoon sun. They were laughing about something I couldn't hear. My next meeting was in an hour. I slammed my laptop shut, rolled straight into the water for forty-five stolen minutes, and returned to work with wet hair and a startling thought: Why don't we live like this more often?
We'd booked our COVID vaccine appointments and flights to Tulum in the same 24 hours – an impulsive chain reaction fueled by months of TikTok content and a FaceTime call with a friend who pushed us over the edge by joining in on the plan.
I expected a fun escape, maybe a few good tacos, and fruit-themed pool floats. I did not expect the trip to make me want to rearrange my life so I could come back for months, not days.
Tax Planning for Digital Nomads
A Guide for US & European Expats
Tax planning is one of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of living as a digital nomad. Whether you're a US citizen leveraging the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or a European expat navigating tax treaties, understanding your obligations can save you thousands and keep you compliant across borders.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the essentials of tax residency, double taxation agreements, and strategic planning for location-independent professionals. Learn how to structure your finances, track your days, and work with the right advisors to optimize your tax situation while staying fully compliant.
From understanding the 183-day rule to leveraging tax-friendly jurisdictions, this guide covers everything you need to know to make informed decisions about your nomadic tax strategy.
Sponsored Struggling to feel at home in a new country?
Every expat will tell you: meeting people who've already figured it out makes a huge difference.
That's why 5.7 million members in 420 cities trust InterNations — your shortcut to finding like-minded friends, fast. ✨
✅ Enjoy events designed for globally minded people
✅ Join activities you actually care about
✅ Build career or business contacts
✅ Make lasting friendships
✅ Get first-hand tips on life in your new city
"Once you find your people, you don't feel homesick anymore. And that happened for me because of InterNations — it's my expat family!"
—Sarah, InterNations member in Dubai
When did the term "Digital Nomad" first emerge?
A) Early 2000s with the rise of WiFi cafes
B) 1997 in the book "Digital Nomad" by Makimoto and Manners
C) 2010 when Tim Ferriss published "The 4-Hour Workweek"
Want to learn more about the history and evolution of digital nomadism?
Eight Million Ways to Happiness
Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan
By Hiroko Yoda · December 30, 2025
A Japanese cultural historian shares a path to joyful living drawn from her nation's unique approach to spirituality and nature, offering a "fascinating" blend of memoir, cultural reporting, and practical guidance for anyone struggling to find balance in our turbulent modern world.
📖 Get the BookSourced by Mindvalley Bookclub
