You clock out, you’re exhausted, and yet you still want to work on your own thing.

Maybe it’s a startup, a product, a course, whatever.

But most side projects fade out after the initial hype.

People get tired. Life gets in the way. Consistency fades.

So for those of you still doing the 9–5 (or worse, shift work):

How do you actually make progress without burning out or losing motivation?

What habits, mindset shifts, or setups helped you stick with it long enough to see results?

Would love to hear what’s actually worked for people here.

Hey everyone,

I currently live in Germany, and while I appreciate many things about the country, the high tax rates are really cutting into my earnings. With my SaaS pulling in a MRR of around $5000, the steep taxes and overall cost of living here are really high. I sometimes feel like I can’t even save up any money.

I’m thinking of relocating to a place that offers a cheaper lifestyle and lower taxes.

These are the countries I have been thinking about:

• Portugal: The NHR tax regime sounds appealing, and cities like Lisbon and Porto have a growing digital nomad scene, though I’ve heard there might be upcoming changes in tax benefits for foreigners.

• Dubai: With 0% income tax and a modern, business-friendly environment, it looks promising—but I’m a bit concerned about the cost of living and work-life balance.

• Georgia (Tbilisi/Batumi): Offering a 1% tax rate for small businesses, it seems almost too good to be true. Would love to hear from anyone who’s tried it.

• Malaysia (Penang/Kuala Lumpur): Known for a low cost of living, great food, and an emerging startup scene.

• Bali: A favorite among digital nomads. I’m interested in how the community there supports indie hackers and SaaS entrepreneurs, plus the overall lifestyle and cost-effectiveness.

• South America (Paraguay/Uruguay): I’ve seen some recommendations for these countries due to their affordable living costs and potential tax benefits.

What do you all think? If you’ve made a similar move from a high-tax country like Germany, where did you go, and how’s it working out for you? Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful as I weigh my options. Looking forward to your recommendations!