9 Things Every Digital Citizen Should Buy (Total Cost: <$5.2K)
Tools to upgrade your life abroad without breaking the bank.
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After building businesses across multiple countries, one thing became clear:
Success isn’t tied to one system, one location, or one way of thinking.
In today’s world, you can design life on your terms - globally, intelligently, and with intention.
Digital Citizen is your guide to living smarter, working freely, and navigating a borderless world with clarity.
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The Setup
If you're constructing a location-independent lifestyle, your gear is important.
This collection has the basics: work, communication, health, and legal. Everything was selected with functionality, quality, and portability in mind.
The total price is below $5,200.
The items on the list won’t surprise you, and I could have written a post with 9 more easily. But if I would have to dial it down to 9 that I wouldn’t miss, those are it.
1. MacBook Air M4: $1.150
What it is
Apple’s latest ultralight laptop: quiet, portable, and powered by the new M4 chip. Ideal for remote work, content creation, and everything in between.
Why it’s in the list
This is the core of your mobile setup. It runs your calls, documents, apps, and creative tools with ease. Long battery life, quiet and super portable. Even though I’m used to work on the MacBook Pro, my next buy will be the air (in Apples fancy new light blue colour).
Bonus Tip
Watch out for the add-ons, as those can get quite pricey. The standard “no frills” model has a great price for what it is, but if you start adding on RAM or other features, it can quickly break the bank.
Good Alternatives
High-End: MacBook Pro M3 14": More power, ports, and display brightness. Great if you're editing video or using pro-grade apps. Around $1,800+.
Budget: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED: Solid Windows alternative with great screen and battery, priced under $800.
Watch: MKBHD’s review of the M4.
2. iPhone 16: $860
What it is
Apple's newest flagship phone, unlocked and dual SIM-capable.
Why it's in the list
Your phone is the center of everything, so do not cheap out on it. The battery lasts from morning until evening with constant use (the first time in my personal experience, since the 11 model). Together with your Mac and AirPods, it is a trouble-free trio that keeps your life and work flowing smoothly across time zones and borders.
Bonus Tip
Make sure to purchase the fully unlocked one from Apple or an authorized dealer, not a carrier. This provides complete flexibility with eSIMs and travel SIMs when crossing borders. It also retains resale value much better if you upgrade on a regular basis. And get Apple Care!
Good Alternatives
High-End: iPhone 16 Pro. Better camera, additional battery life, titanium design. Great if you're shooting a lot of material or want the high-end edge. Starts at $1,150.
Budget: Google Pixel 7a: Excellent Stock Android experience with good performance and camera for about ~$500. Factory unlocked with great eSIM support.
Watch: iPhone 16 Review (MKBHD).
3. AirPods Pro 2: $260
What it is
Compact wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and seamless pairing with your Apple devices.
Why it's on the list
You'll wear them all day. For phone calls, podcasts, flights, concentration work sessions, or simply strolling through a crowded city. Noise cancellation is robust enough to drown out distractions in cafes or co-working spaces, and transparency mode ensures you can easily tell when you should be.
Bonus Tip
Buy from Apple or an authorized reseller to make sure you're getting the newest USB-C model with better audio and battery. If you're using Mac and iPhone, auto-switching between them surprisingly just works wonderfully. Also, if you’re leaving voice messages, use transparency mode, since it something sounds clunky when using noise cancelling.
Good Alternatives
High-End: -
Budget: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Great performance for under $100 with good ANC and long battery life.
Watch: AirPods Pro 2 Review (MKBHD).
4. WeWork All Access: $1.800/year
What it is
A global coworking membership that provides access to hundreds of WeWork spaces in dozens of cities around the world.
Why it's on the list
This might sounds out of proportion, since there’s plenty of cafes to work from in major cities, and this membership isn’t cheap. But from my experience it matters a lot who you meet, and who you know. Do not underestimate the connections you are able to make, it the places where people with the biggest brainpower and bias towards taking action makes.
Bonus Tip
If you're located in Thailand or Southeast Asia, the price is particularly competitive. All Access is currently offered by WeWork Thailand for ฿5.250/month, which translates to around $1.800/year (way cheaper than in Europe or the US).
Good Alternatives
Depends on the region.
Check out: WeWork All-Access.
5. SafetyWing Insurance: $675/year
What it is
A specially designed global health and travel insurance policy for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers.
Why it's on the list
When you travel and work abroad, you should have adequate health insurance. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers for emergency medical care, hospitalisation, and travel-related benefits such as trip cancellation and luggage loss. It's a month-by-month payment plan that you can stop and restart at any time, and its coverage gives you peace of mind wherever you are.
Bonus Tip
The Essential plan is around $56 per 4 weeks for people ages 18–39, which is approximately $675 per year. You can enroll even if you are already abroad, and the policy covers travel to over 180 countries. Depending on prior conductions, coverage plan and age, the price varies.
Good Alternatives
High-End: Cigna Global Health Insurance: Provides worldwide health insurance with tailored plans, which are ideal for expats looking for extensive benefits.
Budget: not recommended.
Check it out: Safety Wings
6. Second Residency Card: (from) $100
What it is
A residence permit issued by a state that qualifies you to live, work, or stay long-term in a second country legally.
Why it's on the list
Residency unlocks doors. It provides legal presence, long-term stability, and access to banking, healthcare, and housing that short-term visas don't. Whether you apply for lifestyle, tax planning, or as a fall-back, a second residency enhances your freedom and choices. Some programs, such as the Taiwan Gold Card or Panama's Friendly Nations Visa, are simple to apply for and cost little to nothing.
Bonus Tip
The majority of digital citizens do not realize how affordable residency is. Taiwan's Gold Card, for example, costs around $100 and comes with a three-year residency with tax incentives, local services, and multiple entry.
Check out the in-depth post here
Good Alternatives: UAE, Panama, there are many, check them out here
7. Anker MagGo Power Bank: $50
What it is
A small, magnetic mobile power bank that sticks to the rear of your phone and also serves as a kickstand for video calls or watching media.
Why it's on the list
This power bank is a phone-life saver on long flights, border crossings, or when you're between coworking spaces and cafes. It's lightweight, charges wirelessly, and snaps in without wires. The fold-out stand is also a bonus when you need to prop your phone for a video or call.
Bonus Tip
Anker 622 MagGo is small, quick-charging, and compatible with every MagSafe iPhone. It's the kind of accessory that you'll forget you have in your bag.
Good Alternatives
High-End: Anker Prime Power Bank (20,000mAh): Greater capacity and quicker charging with USB-C ports for laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
Budget: Baseus Magnetic Mini Power Bank: A decent, more affordable MagSafe-compatible option for under $30.
8. Incase Daypack: $130
What it is
A sleek, durable backpack for daily wear, designed for technology and mobility.
Why it's on the list
You carry it with you nearly daily, so it must perform and look good. A great daypack safeguards your laptop, organizes your cords, and somehow navigates airports, coworking facilities, and weekend getaways.
Bonus Tip
The Incase A.R.C. is compact, weather-resistant, and features dedicated tech and travel sleeves. I bought this item 1 year ago, and it still looks as new. But nearly all of their products I can highly recommend (I got 3 of them).
Good Alternatives
High-End: Aer Day Pack 3: Premium materials with modern aesthetic, ideal for individuals who prefer minimal designs and intelligent pockets.
Budget: Xiaomi Mi City Backpack 2: A great minimalist backpack for less than $50, ideal for lighter setups.
9. ExpressVPN: $100/year
What it is
An excellent virtual private network that secures your connection, safeguards your data, and unblocks censored content while traveling.
Why it's in the list
A VPN isn't a luxury when you're on public Wi-Fi constantly, traveling across borders, or logging into sensitive accounts from new places. ExpressVPN is speedy, reliable, and syncs across devices without holding you back. It keeps your privacy safe, bypasses region-based blockades, and gives you ongoing access to services you depend on.
Bonus Tip
The annual plan gives you 15 months of coverage for $99.95. It includes apps for all major platforms and a browser extension for quick control. One subscription covers multiple devices.
Good Alternatives
High-End: ProtonVPN Plus: A good choice from a privacy-focused company, with sophisticated features and open-source transparency.
Budget: not recommended.
Summary
Here’s the full setup. 9 essential tools, services, and upgrades that support a mobile, professional life across borders.
MacBook Air M4 – Create
iPhone 16 – Connect
AirPods Pro 2 – Focus
WeWork All Access – Work
SafetyWing Insurance – Health
Second Residency Card – Belong
Anker MagGo Power Bank – Charge
Incase Daypack – Move
ExpressVPN – Secure
Total Cost: ~$5,200
With these nine pieces in place, you're not just traveling. You’re building a life that works from anywhere.
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