Pass Your Driver’s License Off as a Student ID

January 28, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In my early 20s, I would have probably done anything to save a buck.

Pass Your Driver’s License Off as a Student ID via @maphappy

Budget Money Travel Trip Planning

Now Is the Best Season to Travel for Savings

January 6, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

It’s that time of year again. The holiday travel season is winding down which actually means it’s time to do all the serious traveling.

Now Is the Best Season to Travel for Savings via @maphappy

Adventure Budget Bus Ground

Why It’s Smart To Take the Bus for Regional Travel

December 16, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 4 minute read

Just because something isn’t popular Stateside doesn’t mean it isn’t happening elsewhere. In other parts of the world, it’s bus or bust.

Why It’s Smart To Take the Bus for Regional Travel via @maphappy

Budget Money Student Travel Trip Planning

The Cold, Hard Truth About ISIC Card Benefits

December 15, 2014 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It’s been a few years since I’ve been eligible for discounted student flights but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten — those were my glory days.

The Cold, Hard Truth About ISIC Card Benefits via @maphappy

Budget Features Gear Money Trip Planning

The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

November 28, 2014 MH Staff 4 minute read

Just because it’s a “deal” doesn’t mean it’s a great deal. Each year we ditch the riffraff to cull the best list evar.

The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals via @maphappy

Budget Features Money Opinion Travel

How Tourists Cripple Local Economies by Overpaying

November 5, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 2 minute read

I always feel uncomfortable about how much I tip in impoverished countries. Should it be more, just because? That person was nice and attentive…

How Tourists Cripple Local Economies by Overpaying via @maphappy

Budget Money Plastic Trip Planning

The Best Credit and Debit Cards for Traveling

August 18, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 4 minute read

I think the time when Ben Franklin’s old adage “a penny saved is a penny earned” rings truest is when I’m traveling abroad. ATM and foreign transaction fees just add up too fast.

The Best Credit and Debit Cards for Traveling via @maphappy

Budget Gear Technology Trip Planning

The Poor Man’s Solution to Beach-Proofing Phones

August 5, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

This weekend, I was on the beach sipping a margarita when a volleyball knocked my drink down. I watched in horror as the liquid pooled around my $700 phone.

The Poor Man’s Solution to Beach-Proofing Phones via @maphappy

Budget Money Technology Travel Trip Planning

Splitwise Is the Best Group Travel Expense Calculator

July 31, 2014 Erica Ho 6 minute read

Heading to Colorado and renting out a house with a group of your friends is awesome. But figuring out who owes who what at the end is like entering the seventh circle of hell.

Splitwise Is the Best Group Travel Expense Calculator via @maphappy

Budget Leisure Misc. Money Travel

The Stats on Your Average Honeymoon

July 22, 2014 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

I guess I’m on the same page as everyone when it comes to my honeymoon. Meaning Fiiiiijiiii.

The Stats on Your Average Honeymoon via @maphappy

Adventure Budget Leisure Money Travel

The Actual Cost of an International Trip

June 24, 2014 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Is it really cheaper to take an international trip than vacation at home? To test my theory, I decided to put my money where my mouth was.

The Actual Cost of an International Trip via @maphappy

Adventure Budget Leisure Money Travel

Why Vacationing Overseas Is Sometimes Cheaper

May 21, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

It seems preposterous, but my trip to another continent will probably end up costing less than my trip to California — and that’s including airfare.

Why Vacationing Overseas Is Sometimes Cheaper via @maphappy

Budget Money Plastic Travel Trip Planning

Reader Q: What’s the Best Way To Get Foreign Cash?

May 19, 2014 Map Sherpa 2 minute read

There are so many options to get foreign cash that it can be confusing. Chris wants to know the best and cheapest way to exchange U.S. dollars.

Reader Q: What’s the Best Way To Get Foreign Cash? via @maphappy

Budget Lodging

The Rights of Every Couchsurfing Guest

April 28, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Just because someone has opened up their home to you doesn’t entitle them to make you uncomfortable.

The Rights of Every Couchsurfing Guest via @maphappy

Budget Flights Money Trip Planning

Is There a Magical Day To Book Your Plane Ticket?

March 10, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

The fact that people are obsessed with finding a magical day to book only proves buying airline tickets is a voodoo science. But here’s a number anyway.

Is There a Magical Day To Book Your Plane Ticket? via @maphappy

Budget Money Travel

Planning an Affordable Trip with the Big Mac Index

May 9, 2013 Erica Ho 1 minute read

I’m pretty sure I have an Excel sheet in the unfathomable depths of my computer’s hard drive somewhere, using the price of a Big Mac to figure out how expensive a country is.

Planning an Affordable Trip with the Big Mac Index via @maphappy

Budget Lodging Travel Trip Planning

The Basics to Couchsurfing Around the World for Free

May 8, 2013 Erica Ho 3 minute read

I know it’s a little bit off-putting sleeping at a stranger’s place, but hey, I’m still alive after surfing and hosting in five different countries.

The Basics to Couchsurfing Around the World for Free via @maphappy

Adventure Budget Hotels Lodging Travel

Keeping the Power on with Room Key Wall Slots

March 21, 2013 Erica Ho 1 minute read

In today’s blindingly obvious tip of the day, here’s how to keep the lights on when you’re gone. I’ve also been traveling for the past 48 hours, so you can cut me some slack for once.

Keeping the Power on with Room Key Wall Slots via @maphappy

Budget Money Tools Travel Trip Planning

Budget for Your Trip Using This Custom Google Doc

March 7, 2013 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Spreadsheet junkies, delight. I’ve gone all geeky for you and have taken all the guesswork out for you in trying to budget for a trip.

Budget for Your Trip Using This Custom Google Doc via @maphappy

Budget Money Travel

Is Japan Expensive? Expatistan Figures It Out

August 20, 2012 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

You probably don’t care about the cost of living in other countries — you just want to know how expensive things are so you can budget for your trip. Oh, right!

Is Japan Expensive? Expatistan Figures It Out via @maphappy

Airports Budget Flights Lodging

Your Guide to Sleeping (but not Snoring) in Airports

August 13, 2012 Erica Ho 2 minute read

In the name of sleep! Whether it’s for a couple of zzs or for a full snore-fest, just don’t take a nap on a baggage carousel.

Your Guide to Sleeping (but not Snoring) in Airports via @maphappy

Budget Money Technology Travel

Crowdtilt Plans Finances for Group Traveling

July 23, 2012 Erica Ho 1 minute read

This seems like pretty much a good option to make sure no one skimps out when it comes to paying the bill.

Crowdtilt Plans Finances for Group Traveling via @maphappy

Budget Luxury Money Travel Trip Planning

How to Prioritize Your Biggest Travel Expenses

June 20, 2012 Erica Ho 3 minute read

“Budgeting” isn’t an especially sexy word, in any context. But it can make the difference between paying $2,000 for two weeks in Europe or $700 for a three-day weekend in New York City. That’s including airfare.