Category: Travel Tips

The Debit Card Decision

Dealing with Debit Cards When Traveling Overseas

Posted on by Michael

Using debit cards when traveling overseas is not always the best option. In fact, I would go so far as to say using debit cards when traveling overseas is never the best option. While ATM’s are usually within hailing distance no matter where you are, there are plenty of factors you should take into account before using them to get cash, and you should definitely be wary about using them for purchases.

Using debit cards when traveling overseas
Using debit cards when traveling overseas might not be your best option

While shooting on location this spring in Australia and New Zealand, we seriously considered not taking Continue reading “Dealing with Debit Cards When Traveling Overseas” →

The Best Way To Travel With Money Overseas: Do’s and Don’ts

Posted on by Michael

There are important tips you should keep in mind when it comes to the best way to travel with money overseas. Getting the biggest bang for your travel buck should be a part of your planning, whether your heading out for a spontaneous weekend getaway or putting the final touches on a trip around the world that took a year to organize. It’s certainly a lot easier to manage your money, and your budget when your travels are limited to one country, but there are some guidelines that are fairly universal.

This week, I want to talk about cash… actual hold-in-your-hands cash, and the best way to travel with money. We’ll delve into debit and credit cards in later posts, but although we are moving towards a cashless society, you will almost certainly run into at least one situation where physical money does need to change hands.

Best way to travel with money overseas
Starting your travel with at least some cash on hand instead of relying on credit or debit cards can be the best way to travel with money.

I’m officially old enough to be able to use the phrase “back in the day” non-ironically. So… back in the day, money management for Continue reading “The Best Way To Travel With Money Overseas: Do’s and Don’ts” →

RFID Sleeve

Keeping Your Private Travel Materials Private

Posted on by Michael

There are three ways to look at the mindset of a reporter. It’s either the life of a professional pessimist, a cynic for hire or… and this is the way I chose to look at it, the continuing adventures of a Boy Scout. Don’t get me wrong, while I was in fact a Boy Scout – kerchief, socks, merit badges and all – I’m of course referring to the motto of being prepared.

You can be working on the most harmless story about how to avoid buying a Christmas tree worthy of a Charlie Brown holiday special, and that will be the day the Colorado branch of the DEA has the raw nerve to raid a secret marijuana farm east of Pueblo (granted, not a major priority today, but in 1998…), so you have to be prepared to Continue reading “Keeping Your Private Travel Materials Private” →

Tarmac in early morning

Jettisoning Jet Lag

Posted on by Michael

Jet lag is the many headed hydra of both domestic and international travel. It can take over your trip in as little as two time zones, and it can eat away at either your business or your leisure travel. Jet lag, though, is a beast that can be tamed.

I live in San Francisco, but most of my family is on the other side of the United States, so finding ways to deal with jet lag has been a major preoccupation over the years. Additionally, as a reporter for more than a decade, and then a traveling producer after that, business can hardly be restricted to one time zone. Sometimes you have to be on a plane. A lot of sometimes, actually. Now, with a Continue reading “Jettisoning Jet Lag” →

An Unintended Treasure Trove

Putting Scottsboro in Storage. How to Avoid Losing Your Luggage

Posted on by Michael

In a small Alabama town called Scottsboro, there is an enormous and very successful business built on the woes of travelers who have lost their luggage. Unclaimed and lost bags end up here, and the treasures inside are sold for fun and profit. You should check out their website, and then you should make it your ambition that your bags never see the inside of this place. Your goal as a traveler should be very simple – to put this business out of business.

Let’s talk about how to avoid losing your luggage, and keep your valuables out of pictures like this:

Lost luggage
The results of lost luggage. A thriving business built on misfortune.

Tempting fate is never wise, but I’m declaring in front of God, country and American Airlines it’s been almost thirty years since I’ve permanently lost a piece of luggage. For those of you keeping score at home, that dates back to when I was a teenager. My dad and I were Continue reading “Putting Scottsboro in Storage. How to Avoid Losing Your Luggage” →