orking remotely sounds dreamy — until the Wi-Fi drops during a call, your files won’t sync, and you’re refreshing a Google Doc on hotel internet that feels like dial-up. After years of trial, error, and near meltdowns, here are the tools that keep me sane, connected, and productive while bouncing around the world.
🔒 1. A VPN That Actually Works Abroad
NordVPN is what I use daily. It’s fast, works in countries that block stuff, and doesn’t randomly disconnect mid-upload like others I’ve tried. It also helps me access U.S. sites when I’m in places that love to geo-block everything.
If you prefer something open-source and privacy-focused,
ProtonVPN is a solid backup.
📶 2. A Cheap eSIM So I Always Have Internet
I used to depend on coffee shop Wi-Fi — big mistake. Now I preload an eSIM before I land.
- New user? Get 15% off Airalo
- Already a user? Here’s 10% off
It’s instant data in over 200 countries. No swapping SIM cards, no surprise roaming fees.
🧠 3. Notion for Staying Organized
Notion is my brain on the road. I use it to:
- Plan projects
- Track article drafts
- Log affiliate earnings
- Keep a running list of client deliverables
Works offline, syncs automatically, and keeps me from juggling a dozen Google Docs.
🔌 4. My Favorite Travel Router
I plug in the GL.iNet travel router when hotel Wi-Fi sucks (which is often). It lets me:
- Share one login across devices
- Encrypt all traffic through VPN
- Avoid logging in again every time I connect
This little thing has saved my remote workflow more times than I can count.
🛠️ 5. A Password Manager That Doesn’t Suck
Too many tabs open, and now you’ve locked yourself out of your bank. Again.
I use NordPass to generate, store, and autofill passwords across devices. It’s secure, fast, and doesn’t get in the way.
☕ Final Tip: Don’t Try to Use All the Tools
Start with just one or two — for me, that was a VPN and a budgeting tool. Everything else got added once I figured out what I needed.
Want to see what I use for budgeting or file storage too? Let me know — I’ve tried a lot of duds so you don’t have to.