The New Rich Nomad: How to Use AI to Work Less and Travel More

Not too long ago, I was like most freelancers: busy, burned out, and stuck in the never-ending client grind. I had income, sure. But I had no real freedom.

That changed when I discovered a better formula — one that helped me build multiple six- and seven-figure businesses while spending most of my year traveling. I call it The New Rich approach.

At the core of it? AI.

Not just as a shiny tool — but as a leverage system to free your time, grow your income, and live the life most people only daydream about.

Step 1: Escape the Time Trap

Caption: The time trap of work

Most digital nomads unknowingly build themselves a remote job, not a business. They’re still trading time for money — just from a prettier location.

The first step I took was to stop thinking like a freelancer and start thinking like a business owner.

Instead of offering just “my time”, I built small systems around repeatable services, like:

• Content marketing packages
• Newsletter creation
• Lead generation funnels

Then I asked: Which parts of this can AI handle for me?

Step 2: Delegate to AI Like a Team

Caption: Working with AI

AI became my invisible team. Here’s what that looked like:

• Client onboarding? I used AI to generate customized welcome packs, contracts, and even explainer videos.
• Writing content? I fed ChatGPT my past client examples and tone — it gave me 80% of the output in minutes. I just polished the rest.
• Market research and offer building? Tools like Claude and Perplexity helped me craft better pitches faster.

By automating the boring stuff, I could focus on strategy — the only thing that really moves the needle.

Step 3: Build Systems That Don’t Need You

The real magic of The New Rich isn’t about making more money. It’s about building a business that runs without you at the center of everything.

Here’s how I used AI to create semi-passive systems:

• Created AI-powered lead magnets that collect emails, segment audiences, and follow up automatically.
• Built mini-digital products (like Notion templates and swipe files) and had AI help with design, landing page copy, and email sequences.
• Used AI to respond to common customer queries or summarize feedback, so I could improve my offers

One of my favorite automations? A content machine that takes one idea, spins it into a blog post, email, tweet thread, and LinkedIn carousel — with almost no human touch. That’s leverage.

Step 4: Travel More, Stress Less

Caption: Me (Will Slater) chilling in Thailand

Once my systems were in place, I stopped working 8-hour days. Sometimes I don’t work at all for a week — and revenue still comes in.

I’ve lived for months in Lisbon, Chiang Mai, and the south of France. I surf in the mornings, take long hikes mid-week, and only take on high-impact tasks.

That’s the power of combining AI + systems + mindset.

It’s not a hack. It’s a shift.

Quick Wins to Get You Started

Here are a few plug-and-play ways any nomad can use AI today:

• Proposal Writing: Use ChatGPT or Gemini to draft customized Upwork/Fiverr pitches based on client briefs.
• Client Reports: Feed data into Claude or ChatGPT and ask for concise, on-brand summaries.
• Passive Income Products: Let AI help you create eBooks, guides, or templates to sell on Gumroad or your own site.
• Workflow Automation: Use Zapier with AI integrations to automate email responses, content posting, or lead qualification.

Final Thoughts

The old model said: “Work hard now so you can retire later.”

The New Rich flips that: “Design your life now, and let smart systems support it.

AI is the single biggest opportunity I’ve seen to build a business that gives you time, income, and location freedom — all at once.

This isn’t about being a tech wizard. It’s about thinking differently.

If you’re a digital nomad who wants more life in your lifestyle, AI can get you there.

See you out there!

Will Slator

Founder, TheNewRich.com