Lost in transaction

kyatOne of the most startling travel epiphanies I’ve had in recent years came on a trip to Burma, when I was counting out small change so I could buy a packet of toilet tissues. The Burmese kyat had recently suffered a jag of devaluation, and when I’d tallied up my toilet-tissue money, I noticed that it consisted of … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Lost in transaction  | February 7, 2015
Category: Asia, Money Management

5 Ways to finance your travel dreams

Money

One of the most interesting aspects of traveling is meeting the fascinating array of people who manage to make their travel dreams a reality.

We’ve met young people and retirees, couples, single parents and families of every sort you can imagine. One of the things that always strikes us is the resourcefulness of this community and the many ways that people find to create income … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | October 7, 2014
Category: Money Management, Vagabonding Life

Why we buy dumb souvenirs

souvenirmasksHere’s a curious trivia tidbit from U.S. history: In 1786, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams took leave from their Europe-based diplomatic duties and traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the home of William Shakespeare. Not much was recorded of the occasion, but one fact of their pilgrimage to the Bard’s birthplace stands out: At some point during the tour, … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | August 30, 2014
Category: Money Management, Travel Bargains, Travel Writing, Vagabonding Advice

How bank points can be the best for free flights.

Most people are somewhat familiar with the concept of collecting frequent flier miles. My husband and I have built our whole travel strategy around frequent flier miles in fact, but there’s another travel reward currency with huge benefits once you understand how it works.

Bank points.  Specifically I’m referring to “American Express Membership Rewards” and “Chase Ultimate Rewards.”

First lets go over what these points are and how to earn them.  Then, we’ll take a … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on How bank points can be the best for free flights.  | May 22, 2014
Category: Air Travel, Money Management, Travel Bargains

Have you ever run out of money while travelling?

Recently, I had my first experience, and it was a humbling, scary experience that challenged my fortitude and my creativity on a new level. We could have given up, defeated, but we held strong, kept the struggle to ourselves (because my Grandma would have been worried sick!), and we pushed through it.

I have only been broke once- right after my divorce. I made it out of that rut pretty quickly because A) My new … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | January 6, 2014
Category: Money Management

Bargaining in Asia: tips and tricks

It’s a well-worn practice the world over: customers and vendors talking price. CNNGo tackled this issue in a post titled How to bargain: the ultimate guide to scoring a deal in the markets of Asia.

Many of the tips will be familiar to experienced vagabonders: shop around, be polite, and be ready to walk away. What makes the article special is the little details about particular destinations. Some … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Bargaining in Asia: tips and tricks  | November 19, 2012
Category: Money Management, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Bargains