Resources and Tools I Use
(For Learning and Inspiration)
Ever since I started this travel blog I’ve been introduced to countless numbers of platforms, software applications, plug-ins, services, and more.
Many of these resources were required for building my websites, staying organized, remaining productive and even maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Through all of these online endeavors I’ve accumulated quite a lengthy list of tools and resources.
Everything from online training, freelancing, graphic design, or just increasing my productivity has required some investment and often a learning curve.
Here I’ve listed a number of products that I have experience using on a regular basis. Some of them I personally recommend or are highly recommended by mentors and influencers I follow.
Some of the links provided below are affiliate links and I may receive a small commission, but only if you make any purchases through those links.
Since my Resources List has become so extensive, I’ve decided to split it into different pages.
Below you’ll find resources for getting the information, support and training you need to succeed.
Online Courses I Use
Lynda.com
(Paid Subscription) with 30 Day Free Trial then $29.99/month
However, There is a chance you can find a FREE Subscription depending on where you live.
As far as I know if you are in the United States, there are many State or County funded programs that will pay for you to get the education you’d love to have. I found out about this in early 2017.
I live in Broward County, Florida and eligibility is based on what county you live in. Initially I could not find any Broward County Library program that would pay for my Lynda subscription. Free access to Lynda was only available in Miami-Dade County and West Palm Beach.
At the end of 2017, I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and in the process of searching for nearby libraries I found out that the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University provides free access to Lynda.com. But only if you are an NSU student or Broward County Library Cardholder.
So, where there is a will there is always a way.
Lynda.com is a great resource for learning just about anything from Photography Basics to Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, Programming in various languages and much much more.
I highly recommend that you find out if your local county or state offers this to its residents. I know it is also available in other countries because
CodeCademy
Online Interactive Training for Programming Code.
I think codecademy is a great source for beginners to dive right into coding. It provides an interface where you can immediately begin coding and receive positive feedback for entering correct code or errors until you enter the correct code. you aou how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure.
To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?”
CourseEra
Online Courses from Universities around the U.S.
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure.
To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?”
Udemy
Pay Per Course
Online Training Courses are plentiful here. You will find video courses on almost any topic you might be interested in learning.
I’ve taken a short E-Bay drop-shipping course from David Vu and also taken a few courses on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies.
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful.
Dropship Lifestyle
One Time Fee Covers Membership for Life
This is the course that got me into building my first E-Commerce store.
I highly recommend the course if you are interested in learning about drop shipping directly with manufacturers. There are many “drop-ship” courses out there that teach other forms of drop-shipping through E-Bay- Ali Baba, distributors or some form of retail arbitrage. I sincerely think this is the most legitimate way to build a scaleable business with the drop-ship model.
However, It isn’t easy and it will require a lot of your time and perseverance to reap any benefits from this model.
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Books I Listen To or Read
Audible
Audiobooks
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure.
To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?”
Kindle
Reading App for Kindle, Android, and iOS Devices.
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?”
Podcasts I Listen To:
ProBlogger
– With Darren Rowse
This is the podcast I have been listening to lately. I love it simply because he is so genuine and doesn’t waste a lot of time. No Fluff! He gets right down to actionable steps you can take right now to build, grow and improve your blog website.
Valuable indeed, and I highly recommend a listen. Just search for a topic you are curious to know more about and I am sure you will find his tips useful.
Darren’s website is also an amazing resource loaded with a comprehensive blog and a unique ProBlogger Job Board for finding remote work job opportunities.
Smart Passive Income
– With Pat Flynn
In February of 2014, after I returned to Florida from living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a friend introduced me to a podcast called Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn. This was the first time I had listened to anyone talk about so many different ways to make money online.
Smart Passive Income is a great place to start if you are researching ideas to making money online for yourself.
Only caveat is that I purchased plugins he recommended that were crap, later I realized, he wasn’t even using the plugins either. I still think Smart Passive Income is a great source of information, just be wary of his sponsored products.
Entrepreneur On Fire
-With John Lee Dumas
This is a great, inspiring podcast that is carefully outlined and direct to the point. Great for when you may have a short commute or short wait time.
You will hear interviews with popular and lesser known entrepreneurs, all of which have been successful.
JLD as he likes to call himself allows guests to share their strengths, weaknesses and how they’ve overcome difficult situations.
This podcast is a great motivator, when you’re feeling down or defeated. Last year I believe JLD moved to Puerto RIco and was living the Island Life and Location Independent Lifestyle, but was re-located because of Hurricane
Popular Quote:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
~ Jim Rohn
My Favorite Podcast
Travel Like A Boss
-With Johnny FD
Because of my interest in Smart Passive Income, my listening recommendations led me to Johnny FD and his Travel Like A Boss podcast which ironically was based in Chiang Mai, where I had just lived for 5 months during the second half of 2013.
I never heard of JohnnyFD, Dropshipping, or even the term Digital Nomad while I was living in Chiang Mai but he was doing exactly what I was trying to do. The exception was that I was an I.T. Professional, searching online every day for a remote work job, while teaching English in Thailand was just my backup plan.
The topics Johnny FD discusses regarding earning a semi-passive income online through building e-commerce stores, drop shipping and a lifestyle of travel, is what really got me inspired to take my own dreams more seriously.
No one in my circle of friends ever talked about the possibilities and the benefits of working for yourself as a location independent entrepreneur. I had a few friends and colleagues I worked with who were working remotely for large corporations in other countries, and in my previous position, I had worked from home on certain days of the week, so I knew that was possible.
However, finding a new 100% remote job in in my area of expertise was a lot more difficult than I imagined.
Listening to Johnny’s interviews with Digital Nomads from around the world is what inspired me to pursue my own online businesses and I am really grateful to him for sharing his story. I returned to Thailand in 2015 and met Johnny through a Dropship Lifestyle Retreat.
He still continues to encourage people to work for themselves and create passive income by sharing his success story and the success stories of the guests he interviews.
Invest Like A Boss
– Sam Marks
Johnny FD also co-hosts this podcast with Sam Marks, which is also a great resource for learning about ways to invest your money online. They share their experiences investing on different platforms such as Lending Club, Peer Street
