Insurance | RANDI GLAZER | INLAND MARINE INSURANCE AND MORE

The Digital Nomad Career Blueprint: Build the Work First, Then Take It Anywhere

January 21, 2026 by Randi Glazer

By Camille Bruner

Aspiring digital nomads are people who want a location-independent career while traveling and living in different places. That dream is totally doable, but it’s not “quit your job + buy a one-way ticket” doable for most people. The reliable path is simpler (and less romantic): build a portable income engine, reduce lifestyle friction, and then scale your freedom.

The gist (read this if you’re in a hurry)

A successful nomad career usually comes from one of two moves: you either take your current skill remote, or you deliberately train into a remote-friendly field. Expect a ramp-up period where your goal is consistency—not constant movement. When your work is predictable, the lifestyle feels light; when your work is fragile, the lifestyle feels expensive (financially and emotionally).

Work modes that travel well

Work mode	What it looks like	Why it works for nomads	Common downside
Remote employee	Full-time job with a distributed company	Stable income + fewer client headaches	Time zone constraints, meetings
Freelancer/consultant	You sell a specialized service	High flexibility, you control scope	Feast/famine if you don’t market
Productized service	One clear offer (fixed price + deliverables)	Easier sales + repeatable delivery	Requires tight process
Online business	Courses, templates, apps, e-commerce	Scale potential	Takes time to build traction

Leveling up through school (without putting your life on pause)

Sometimes the fastest way to become more marketable as a digital nomad is to go back to school strategically—especially if you want access to roles that screen heavily for credentials or technical depth. For example, earning a computer science degree can build a deeper understanding of big data and data analytics, which can open doors to higher-paying remote roles. And because earning an online degree makes it easier to balance work responsibilities while you learn, you can keep income flowing while you upgrade your skills. If you’re exploring this route, here are the benefits of an online computer science degree in more detail.

Choose a career lane you can explain in one sentence

If someone asks, “What do you do?” and you need a five-minute explanation, you’re still searching. Clarity sells.

Here are portable lanes that consistently translate across countries and time zones:

Web development / software engineering
UI/UX design
Performance marketing (paid search, paid social)
Copywriting and content strategy
Video editing and motion design
Customer success / support (for remote-first companies)
Data analytics / business intelligence
Project management / operations

Pick one lane, then pick one “customer type” you like working with (startups, creators, local service businesses, nonprofits, etc.). That pairing becomes your first stable identity.

The “don’t get stranded” checklist (a practical how-to)

Use this as a pre-departure system—whether you leave next month or next year.

Lock your baseline budget: rent/backups, insurance, subscriptions, debt payments, and a cushion.
Define your work hours: when you’re available, and when you’re not—write it down.
Build a portfolio proof: 3–5 examples of work (even if they’re self-initiated).
Create one simple offer: who you help, what you deliver, and how long it takes.
Set up your “admin day” ritual: invoicing, taxes tracking, client follow-ups, backups.
Make your travel pace boring at first: stay longer in one place so work can stabilize.
Create a plan for bad weeks: a list of actions you’ll take if leads dry up or motivation dips.

Small note: this list looks unglamorous because it’s effective.

A resource worth bookmarking before you leave

If you’re actively hunting for remote work, We Work Remotely is one of the longstanding job boards focused on remote-first roles. It’s useful because listings often specify location eligibility (anywhere vs. region-restricted) and the categories span engineering, design, marketing, customer support, and more. Even if you’re freelancing, scanning postings can show you what skills are in demand and how companies describe roles (which helps you phrase your own offer).

FAQ

Do I need to be an entrepreneur to be a digital nomad?
No. Many nomads are remote employees; the lifestyle is about location flexibility, not business ownership.

How much savings should I have before I go?
Enough to cover a few months of living expenses plus a buffer for surprises. The exact number depends on your obligations and risk tolerance, but “barely enough for a flight” is a stress recipe.

What’s the biggest mistake beginners make?
Moving too fast. Rapid travel is fun, but it can wreck sleep, work focus, and budgeting—especially early on.

How do I know if I’m ready to leave?
When your work output is consistent for a few months and your schedule isn’t constantly on fire.

Conclusion

A good digital nomad life is built on boring things done consistently: dependable work, repeatable routines, and clear boundaries. Start by stabilizing your career container, then widen your map. When you’re not fighting your income, travel stops feeling like a test. It starts feeling like your life.

The Cost of Personal Underwriting Fraud

June 21, 2016 by Randi Glazer

Underwriting fraud occurs when an individual provides false information to a company for the purpose of their own personal gain. It can be as simple as registering your automobile in a state that has lower rates in order to save some money on your premium. As for home and properties, arson is one of the most widespread tools for property fraud. Fraud occurs in the world of health coverage when a patient withholds information about a pre-existing condition. In most states, this type of fraud is considered a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the crime. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the total cost of fraud is more than $40 billion a year. This total number also does not factor in health fraud. The Coalition Against Fraud reports are higher, claiming that $80 billion is lost annually. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that the financial losses due to health care fraud are in the tens of billions of dollars each year. The Coalition Against Fraud also reports that Americans are tolerant of fraud however they shouldn’t be. Fraud inevitably translates into higher premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for consumers, as well as reduced benefits and coverage.

Avoiding Credit Card Debt As a Recent Graduate

October 10, 2014 by Randi Glazer

A recent article in the New York Times delves into the changing trends among the younger generations and their dissociation with credit cards and the crippling debt that follows. FICO, one of the largest analytic software companies in the US, conducted a study aimed at understanding the decline of credit card usage among the ages of 18-29. They found that from 2005-2099 there was a 7% decrease in credit card purchases. The study also recognized that older generations are relying less on credit cards, but not with such drastic numbers.

These changes in consumerism have contributed to reductions of the average credit card payments, which dropped from $3,073 to $2,087 in late October of 2013. Despite these changes in credit card debt, this generation is experiencing a devastating increase in loans, which have almost doubled in the past decade. Another reason this age group prefers to use debit cards which make it easier to face for them to face their debts and live comfortably.

There are a few reasons behind the declining trends of credit card usage. In 2009, the introduction of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act was introduced to the public, and it added amendments requiring applicants to have a stable income stream, which in turn made it more difficult for younger people to become approved for credit cards.

Spending habits among younger generations have also changed due to the Great Recession, and their inability to work full time after finishing school. Financial burdens, such as loans and increasing living standards across the US have made young consumers become aware of the overall economy struggles and their personal financial shortcomings.

Many financial analysts believe that without credit cards this age group will have a difficult time building credit and purchasing future big ticket items such as, a car or a home. However, for those who still cannot afford credit cards, there are other ways to acquire credit. For example, making your regular loan payments on time, and signing up for bills in your own name can help you slowly create a solid credit history. These simple exercises can place students and recent graduates in a good place with their future finances, without rushing into unnecessary credit card debt.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/randiglazerr for more details about Randi Glazer.

Choosing Your Car Insurance Made Easy

September 12, 2014 by Randi Glazer

Choosing your car is not an easy task. Where do you begin? Do you ask your friends for recommendations? Family? Do you go directly to the most well-known company according to recent TV ads? There are a plethora of options, all of which sound appealing in their own way. But with hindsight being 20/20, you won’t truly find out how well your car works (or doesn’t) until you have your first accident.

Luckily, a recent article featured on Usnews.com takes an in-depth look at exactly this situation and shares advice on how to tackle the dilemma.

To start, Jeanne Salvatore, an industry group spokeswoman for the Car Information states that”It always makes sense to first ask people who you respect who they have cars with, and if they were happy when they had a claim.”

Another helpful approach is to take to social media. People tend to be brutally honest when it comes to reviewing companies online, so search for posts on Twitter or Facebook using the applicable hashtag for the company in question.

The article goes on to recommend comparing similar policies in an effort to find out what factors may be causing higher rates; policies can vary by level of service, add-ons, as well as length of time. In the same vein, there’s no need to become obsessive and look for the best deal out there. When asked what percentage of magazine readers were able to get a better deal, Jeff Blyskal, senior writer at Consumer Reports, says that only 12 percent of the respondents were able to do so.

Once you have settled on a provider, you are tasked with choosing the various details of your policy. There are numerous add-ons to review but at the end of the day, the more you pay upfront, the greater your coverage will be. So make sure that you have considered all hypotheticals and are comfortable with the coverage your policy will offer in each possible event. For example, if you think of yourself as a careful driver, you may opt for a higher deductible in order to minimize your monthly rate.

Lastly, remember that policies do not fall under the one-size-fits-all umbrella; so whatever policy you end up choosing, make sure it meets all criteria that are paramount to your needs.

Visit https://about.me/randiglazer for more information about her.