The Candy Valentino Show: Summer Travel Tips for Any Budget with 'Nomadic Matt' Kepnes
Episode Release Date: May 29, 2025
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The Candy Valentino Show, host Candy Valentino welcomes Matthew Kepnes, widely known as Nomadic Matt, a New York Times bestselling author and renowned travel expert. Together, they delve into strategies for traveling smarter on a budget, making the most of summer travel opportunities regardless of financial constraints.
Saving Money on Travel
Candy kicks off the conversation by addressing listeners' common concerns about summer travel budgeting. Matt emphasizes the importance of flexibility in both travel dates and destinations to secure the best deals.
"The most important thing you can really do is just be flexible. The difference of a day can mean the difference of hundreds of dollars on flights, hotels, tours."
— Matthew Kepnes [03:01]
He suggests shifting travel dates or opting for less popular destinations to take advantage of significant savings. For example, flying on a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday could save up to $300, or choosing a smaller island over a high-demand location like Mykonos can drastically reduce costs.
Matt's Travel Background
Matthew shares his inspiring journey of becoming a travel guru. At 25, he left his corporate job to embark on a year-long adventure, which later evolved into the successful blog Nomadic Matt. His mission: proving that meaningful travel doesn't require a hefty budget.
"I quit my job when I was 25 to go back half the world for a year... I just kept traveling."
— Matthew Kepnes [04:26]
Favorite Destinations and Budget-Friendly Countries
Having traveled to over 100 countries, Matt highlights some of his favorite and most affordable destinations:
- Thailand: His top pick, where he lived for a couple of years, fueling his passion for travel.
- Cambodia: Surprising affordability and the exceptional hospitality of the locals.
- Eastern Europe: Countries like Albania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania offer rich experiences without breaking the bank.
- Peru and Mexico: Offering diverse experiences from vibrant cities to stunning natural landscapes.
"I've been to North of 100 countries... Thailand has a lot of good memories."
— Matthew Kepnes [05:59]
Maximizing Points and Miles
A significant portion of Matt's strategy revolves around leveraging credit card points and airline miles. He discusses how accumulating and strategically using these points can dramatically reduce travel costs.
"I use points, you know, especially if you're using like a multiplier... it's going to add up real quickly."
— Matthew Kepnes [11:00]
He recommends tools like Thrifty Traveler and Daily Drop to find optimal point deals and advises against hoarding points due to their potential devaluation.
Travel Credit Cards
When it comes to selecting the right travel credit card, Matt advises:
- Assess Your Spending Habits: Choose a card that aligns with your spending patterns and rewards.
- Consider Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs: Select cards that enhance your existing loyalty to specific brands.
- Avoid Debt: Only use travel credit cards if you can pay off the balance each month to avoid high-interest rates.
"There’s only the best card for you... think about what is your spending like and what's your airline loyalty."
— Matthew Kepnes [12:47]
Accommodation: Airbnb vs. Hotels
Candy and Matt explore the pros and cons of Airbnb and Hotels:
-
Airbnb/VRBO: Ideal for groups or families seeking larger spaces and potential cost savings.
"They are really good if you're traveling with a group or a family."
— Matthew Kepnes [17:57] -
Hotels: Preferable for solo travelers due to convenience, better security, and amenities like concierge services.
"I tend to use a hotel as just more convenient."
— Matthew Kepnes [18:19]
Matt also points out the negative impact of short-term rentals on local housing markets, particularly in European cities with limited new construction.
Updated Travel Strategies in the New Edition of the Book
Matt discusses the substantial updates in the latest edition of his book, How to Travel the World on $75 a Day, noting that 80% of the content has been rewritten to reflect the evolving travel landscape.
"When I stripped everything away that was outdated, I wasn't left with much. So I had to rebuild everything."
— Matthew Kepnes [20:18]
Key updates include the rise of points and miles strategies, new travel insurance options post-COVID, and the disappearance of round-the-world tickets and certain travel discounts.
Embracing Local and Smaller Travels
Addressing listeners who may be constrained by budgets or other factors, Matt advocates for local travel and staycations as valuable alternatives to international trips.
"Traveling is just going places you've never been before and learning and experiencing something new."
— Matthew Kepnes [22:35]
He encourages exploring nearby national parks, embarking on road trips, or even discovering hidden gems within one's own city to create meaningful travel experiences without extensive expenses.
Luxury and Exclusive Travel Options
For listeners with a more substantial budget, Matt outlines options for luxury and exclusive travel experiences:
- Luxury Safaris in Africa: High-end accommodations in Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania offer unique wildlife viewing combined with top-tier amenities.
- Exclusive Resorts in Southeast Asia: Places like the Mandarin Park Hyatt in Okinawa provide secluded luxury with stunning natural surroundings.
"If you have a banner year, you want to go spend some money, there's many places where you can go spend some money."
— Matthew Kepnes [25:00]
Bucket List and Destination Preferences
When asked about his bucket list, Matt expresses a keen interest in visiting Mongolia for its unique landscapes and cultural richness. Current plans include trips to China, Oman, and Antarctica, expanding his already extensive travel repertoire.
"Mongolia just kind of looks fun and beautiful and different."
— Matthew Kepnes [28:26]
Rapid Fire: Budget and Luxury Travel Tips
Candy Valentino poses quick scenarios to Matt for instant travel advice:
-
$2,500 Budget: Matt recommends destinations like Mexico, Eastern Europe, Peru, Colombia, and Belize, which offer rich experiences without exorbitant costs.
"Mexico, probably somewhere in Eastern Europe... Peru, Colombia, Belize."
— Matthew Kepnes [29:16] -
$25,000 Luxury Budget: With this generous budget, Matt suggests indulging in ultra-exclusive experiences such as luxury safaris or high-end cruises in French Polynesia.
"There is no place in the world you can't go for two weeks for 25,000 bucks."
— Matthew Kepnes [30:00]
Conclusion and Resources
As the episode concludes, Matt provides resources for listeners to continue their travel planning:
- Website: nomadicmat.com
- Social Media: @nomadicmatt on all platforms
- Book: How to Travel the World on $75 a Day available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores.
Candy encourages listeners to follow Matt for ongoing travel inspiration and tips, while also promoting her own book, The 9% Edge: Life Changing Secrets to Create More Revenue for Your Business and More Freedom for Yourself.
"Grab a copy of his New York Times bestselling book How to Travel the world on $75 a day. He is a resource worth bookmarking."
— Candy Valentino [31:10]
Final Thoughts
This episode is a treasure trove for anyone aspiring to explore the world without overshooting their budget. Matt Kepnes' practical advice, grounded in years of travel experience, coupled with Candy Valentino's insightful questions, make this a must-listen for founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and travel enthusiasts alike. Whether you're looking to embark on a grand adventure or simply rediscover your local surroundings, this discussion offers valuable strategies to enhance your travel experiences.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- "The most important thing you can really do is just be flexible." — Matthew Kepnes [03:01]
- "I quit my job when I was 25 to go back half the world for a year." — Matthew Kepnes [04:26]
- "Traveling is just going places you've never been before and learning and experiencing something new." — Matthew Kepnes [22:35]
- "There is no place in the world you can't go for two weeks for 25,000 bucks." — Matthew Kepnes [30:00]
Connect with Nomadic Matt
- Website: nomadicmat.com
- Social Media: @nomadicmatt
- Book: How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
Follow Matt to stay updated on his latest travel tips, destinations, and adventures, ensuring you make the most of your travel budget this summer!