Kepnes' first book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter, was published in 2013 by Penguin. Writers from the New York Times, National Geographic, and Outside Television blurbed the book. Matt Gross of the New York Times said, “Whether you’re a savvy backpacker or just dreaming of getting a passport and going overseas, Matt’s collection of easy-to-employ money-saving strategies will open your eyes to the near-infinite ways of seeing the world without busting your budget". The book outlines Kepnes' belief that travel can be inexpensive while still being extensive. It offers tips for getting free sky miles, avoiding overseas bank fees, and finding cheap accommodations