I’m sitting in a bustling café in during my second month as a digital nomad. The Wi-Fi is decent, the coffee is incredible, and I’m feeling pretty good about this whole location-independent lifestyle thing.

A friendly local strikes up a conversation about my work setup. Before I know it, I’m enthusiastically sharing details about my monthly income, the exact amount I’m paying for my Airbnb, and even mentioning how much I’ve got saved up for the next few months of travel.

Big mistake.

Within days, word had spread through the community. Suddenly, I was the “rich American” who became a target for every overpriced service, inflated rent quote, and sob story in the neighborhood. What started as innocent conversation had completely shifted how people viewed and treated me.

That experience taught me a harsh but valuable lesson: as a digital nomad, some information is better kept close to your chest.

The freedom of nomadic life can make you feel like you’re living in a bubble where normal rules don’t apply. But the truth is, being strategic about what you share—and what you don’t—can make or break your experience in a new place.

Here are five things you should always keep private as a digital nomad, lessons I wish someone had shared with me before I made some costly mistakes.

1. Your exact income and financial situation

Money talk is tricky everywhere, but it’s especially dangerous when you’re the foreigner in town.

I learned this the hard way in that café, but the lesson stuck with me throughout my travels. Whether you’re making $200 or $20,000 a month, broadcasting your financial situation will only create problems.

Here’s what happens when you overshare about money: locals will adjust their prices accordingly, other nomads might start treating you differently, and you’ll become a walking target for every scam artist in the area.

In Bali, I watched a fellow nomad casually mention his six-figure online business income during a coworking session. Within a week, his landlord was trying to double his rent, citing “market changes.” Coincidence? I think not.

The key is learning to deflect these conversations gracefully. When someone asks about your income, try responses like “I do alright” or “enough to travel comfortably.” If they press further, redirect the conversation to something else.

Remember, discussing money rarely leads to anything positive. It either makes people uncomfortable, creates jealousy, or puts a target on your back. None of these outcomes will improve your nomadic experience.

2. Your detailed travel plans and timeline

“So where are you heading next?” seems like innocent small talk, but sharing your complete itinerary can be surprisingly risky.

During my time in Thailand, I met another nomad who loved posting his entire travel schedule on social media. He’d share when he was leaving, where he was going, and how long he’d be away. One day, he returned to find his temporary apartment had been broken into. The timing wasn’t coincidental.

But the risks go beyond theft. When you broadcast your exact timeline, you also open yourself up to people trying to influence your plans for their own benefit. I’ve seen nomads get guilt-tripped into extending stays, pressured into visiting specific places, or manipulated into arrangements that weren’t in their best interest.

There’s also the pressure factor. Once you’ve told everyone you’re leaving Bangkok on Tuesday for two months in Chiang Mai, you feel locked into that plan even if circumstances change. Travel should be flexible, not a public commitment.

Keep your plans general. “I’m thinking about heading north in a few weeks” is much better than “I’m flying to Chiang Mai on the 15th and staying until March.” This gives you flexibility and keeps you safer.

3. Your work clients and business relationships

Your professional network is your lifeline as a digital nomad, but it’s also information that should stay private.

Too many nomads get burned by oversharing about their clients. I watched a freelancer lose a major client after details about their working relationship spread through the local nomad community. Someone made an offhand comment to someone else, who mentioned it to another person, and eventually it reached the wrong ears.

The nomad community is smaller than you think. What you tell someone in a Bangkok coworking space might reach someone in Lisbon faster than you’d expect. And not everyone has your best interests at heart.

There’s also the competition factor. Share too much about your successful client relationships, and you might find other nomads trying to poach your business. I’ve seen it happen more times than I’d like to admit.

4. Your accommodation details and living situation

Your living situation might seem like harmless conversation fodder, but it’s actually sensitive information that’s better kept private.

I learned this lesson during a stay in Bali when I casually mentioned to a group of nomads that I was staying in a particular villa complex. I shared details about the security, the pricing, and even which unit I was in.

A week later, I started noticing people hanging around the area who seemed to know more about my routine than I was comfortable with. It turned out that information about my accommodation had spread beyond the original group, and some less savory characters had taken interest.

Beyond security concerns, sharing accommodation details can also lead to unwanted visits. Once people know where you live, they might start dropping by unannounced or expecting you to host them. This can quickly turn your sanctuary into a social hub when all you want is a quiet place to work.

The exact address, security details, rent prices, and layout of your place should all stay private. If someone asks where you’re staying, keep it general: “I’m in the Canggu area” or “I found a place in District 1.” That’s all anyone needs to know.

5. Your personal vulnerabilities and struggles

This one might seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re someone who values authentic connections. But being too open about your personal struggles can make you a target for manipulation.

The nomad lifestyle can be lonely, and it’s natural to want to connect with others who understand the challenges. But I’ve learned to be selective about who I share my vulnerabilities with.

Early in my nomad journey, I was going through a rough patch – dealing with family issues back home, struggling with isolation, and questioning whether this lifestyle was right for me. I opened up to someone I’d just met about these struggles, thinking it would help us bond.

Instead, this person used that information to manipulate me into staying longer in a place I wanted to leave, guilt-tripping me about my “commitment issues” and suggesting I was running away from problems. They positioned themselves as the solution to my loneliness while slowly becoming more controlling about my decisions.

Everyone has bad days, moments of doubt, and personal challenges. But sharing these with acquaintances or people you’ve just met can give them leverage over you. Save the deep conversations for people who have earned your trust over time.

The bottom line

Privacy as a digital nomad isn’t about being antisocial or secretive. It’s about being strategic with your information to protect your safety, your business, and your peace of mind.

The nomad community is generally welcoming and supportive, but like any community, it has its share of people who might not have your best interests at heart. Being selective about what you share doesn’t make you paranoid – it makes you smart.

After years of this lifestyle, I’ve found that the most successful and happy nomads are those who’ve learned to balance openness with discretion. They’re friendly and social, but they also understand that some information is better kept private.

You can build genuine connections and maintain your privacy at the same time. The key is being intentional about what you share and with whom you share it.