All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life - podcast cover

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

Chris Hutchinschrishutchins.com
Never leave money on the table. This is your shortcut to upgrading your life, money and travel—all while spending less and saving more. Get tactical moves and deep dives into designing a life you’re excited about. Host Chris Hutchins is a life hacker who has saved millions by breaking down every aspect of life and looking to maximize happiness at the lowest cost. Chris and guests like Tim Ferriss, Tony Hawk, Codie Sanchez and Gary Vaynerchuk are here to deliver smart strategies you can plug into your own life—from a money hack that increases your net worth, to a routine change that boosts your productivity.
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Episodes

How to Focus on What Matters and Let Go of the Rest with Ryan Holiday

#251: Discover why Stoicism matters more than ever and how to make it part of your daily life. We share practical ways to focus on what you can control, build resilience, and cultivate the four Stoic virtues: courage, self-discipline, justice, and wisdom. Ryan Holiday is a bestselling modern philosopher and author of The Daily Stoic , The Obstacle Is the Way , Ego Is the Enemy , and Stillness Is the Key . His books on Stoic virtues have sold over 10 million copies in 40+ languages. He’s also the...

Oct 22, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 251

Open Enrollment, Diversifying Investments, Buying Gold and More Listener Q&A

#250: Chris dives into listener questions, covering open enrollment, investing, buying gold, life and auto insurance, RSUs, practical ways to leverage AI tools and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/open-enrollment-AMA-2025 Partner Deals Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family Superhuman: Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Gusto: Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info fro...

Oct 15, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 250

Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai

#249: 3x your points and miles with a multiplayer strategy. We break down how to earn, manage, and maximize rewards with a partner, family, or friends. Plus learn how to handle the logistics, emotions, and systems that make it all work. Kai is the founder and host of The Daily Churn Podcast , where he shares his churning journey. In 2024, Kai and his partner earned a total of $40,000 and 5 million points. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/playing-the-points-game-with-player-2-ka...

Oct 08, 202550 minEp. 249

How to Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters with Tim Ferriss

#248: Learn to escape the trap of over-optimizing and design a more meaningful life. We explore setting boundaries, resetting priorities, and turning failure into fuel for success. We also dive into Tim’s creative process behind his new card game and the surprising value of play. Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show , one of the world’s most popular podcasts with over a billion downloads. He loves experimenting with productivity, health, storytelli...

Oct 01, 20251 hr 40 minEp. 248

Deep Dive on Bank of America Credit Cards (Up to 5.25% Cash Back)

#247: Chris dives into Bank of America’s credit card lineup and why he has 5 different BoA cards right now. He'll go over how the Preferred Rewards program can help you earn unlimited 3.3% back on everything. Finally, he also covers approval rules, credit limits, unique perks like free museum access, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/bank-of-america-preferred-rewards Partner Deals Gusto: Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personali...

Sep 24, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 247

Contrarian Takes on Money, Risk, and Retirement with Tyler Gardner

#246: Today we explore contrarian takes on budgeting, the 4% rule, retirement planning, and the risks of blindly investing in bonds. We also cover strategies for investing, spending, and rethinking how to use money with purpose. Tyler Gardner is a personal finance creator, educator, and former portfolio manager who’s built a following by challenging conventional money wisdom. He's also the host of Your Money Guide on the Side . Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/rethinking-person...

Sep 17, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 246

How Much Are Points and Miles Worth in 2025?

#245: Ever wonder what points are really worth? I'll break down the different types of points, how to calculate their value, and the biggest mistakes people make along the way. You’ll also learn when cash back might be the smarter choice and my personal card strategy for maximizing credit card rewards. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/what-are-your-points-worth Partner Deals Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Fabric: ⁠Affordable term l...

Sep 10, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 245

How I Saved $10,000+ on Luxury Hotels

#244: I'll explain how I saved over $10k on luxury hotels in Costa Rica and Carmel Valley using points, free nights, and elite perks. I’ll walk you through every step, from how to book with points, when to buy them on sale, how to stack hotel credits, which hotel programs give you upgrades and free breakfast, and more! Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/maximize-savings-costa-rica-carmel-valley Partner Deals Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice NetSuite: Free KPI...

Sep 03, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 244

Smarter Strategies for Retirement, Wealth Building, and Taxes with Michael Kitces

#243: Discover smarter strategies to grow your wealth and create financial flexibility. We dive into when it makes sense to invest beyond retirement accounts, how to access savings early through Roth conversions and 72(t) distributions, ways to reduce taxes with HSAs, tax-advantaged accounts, and charity, and so much more. Michael Kitces is the Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth , co-founder of XYPN and publisher of a continuing education blog for financial planners, Nerd’s Eye V...

Aug 27, 20251 hrEp. 243

Deep Dive on Capital One Credit Cards and Miles (+ Why I Love Them)

#242: Chris dives into the Capital One credit card lineup, breaking down earning structures for miles and cash back, exciting benefits, and redemption strategies. He also covers the best 2-card combo, transfer partners, important application rules, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/capital-one-credit-cards-miles-guide Partner Deals Superhuman: Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Tr...

Aug 20, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 242

Earn More Points with New Cards, Bonuses, and Challenges in 2025

#241: We cover new credit cards, increased welcome bonuses, and major changes to existing cards and their benefits. Plus, learn how to rack up thousands of points through airline and hotel challenges and giveaways. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-cards-increased-offers-points-challenges Partner Deals Copilot Money: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Gelt: Skip the waitlist on ...

Aug 13, 202556 minEp. 241

Top Airline & Hotel Transfer Partners to Maximize Your Points with Greg the Frequent Miler

#240: Transferring points is one of the best ways to maximize your points, so today we share the top airline and hotel transfer partners. We also cover strategies to get the most out of your points, including how to leverage transfer bonuses, identify sweet spots, avoid common mistakes, and more. Greg Davis-Kean is the founder of Frequent Miler , a blog dedicated to helping people maximize their travel rewards and loyalty programs, mostly without flying. He is also the host of the Frequent Miler...

Aug 06, 20251 hr 27 minEp. 240

Mini Retirements: How to Take a Break Sooner That Could Also Boost Your Career and Income with Jillian Johnsrud

#239: Why wait until you're 65? It's feasible for almost anyone to take a mini retirement and when done right, it can also fast-track your career and income. Learn how to plan one, negotiate time off, manage costs, avoid pitfalls, and make it work if you’re self-employed. Plus, we share tips for handling health insurance and other logistics during your mini-retirement. Jillian Johnsrud is the author and host of Retire Often . She’s taken more than a dozen mini-retirements and coaches people to p...

Jul 30, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 239

18 Tactics for Booking Travel with Points & Miles

#238: Chris shares 18 tactics he’s used to get the best deals booking flights and hotels with points. Learn how to leverage flexibility, navigate transfer partners, use the right tools, identify “sweet spots,” avoid high fees, position flights, and so much more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/18-tactics-for-booking-award-travel Partner Deals MasterClass: Learn from the world's best with 15% off Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans Vuori: 20...

Jul 23, 202555 minEp. 238

How to Design a Rich Life at Any Income with Ramit Sethi

#237: Start living your rich life today regardless of your income. Learn how to spend without guilt, track the four key financial numbers that matter most, harness the power of decisiveness, and avoid the common traps that hold people back as their income grows. Ramit Sethi is a personal finance expert and the NYT bestselling author of I Will Teach You to Be Rich . He hosts the popular Netflix show, How to Get Rich , and the Money for Couples podcast. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchi...

Jul 16, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 237

Deep Dive on Amex Credit Cards and Membership Rewards Points

#236: Chris reviews and ranks the full American Express lineup of 30+ cards. He also breaks down Membership Rewards, transfer partners, approval rules, card-linked offers, unique perks, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/amex-cards-membership-rewards-points Partner Deals Kick: 50% off your first year of self-driving bookkeeping w/ code CHRIS DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent NetSuite:...

Jul 09, 20251 hr 45 minEp. 236

Chris’ Money Allocation Framework: 10 Steps to Build Your Wealth

#235: Chris shares his personal 10-step money allocation framework to help prioritize savings, investments, and financial flexibility. He also dives into advanced strategies for tax optimization, liquidity, and real-world application through listener questions. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/10-step-money-allocation-framework Partner Deals Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize yo...

Jul 02, 202554 minEp. 235

Bonus Ep: Earn Points on Mortgage, 4x 100k+ Card Bonuses, New 4% Card, Devaluations and More

Chris Hutchins shares a bonus episode covering the latest news in credit cards and travel rewards. Topics include the innovative Mesa Homeowners Card for earning points on mortgages, new high welcome bonuses for Amex Platinum and Gold, and changes to the Capital One Venture X lounge access. He also discusses Hilton devaluations, Uber One benefits for Delta cardholders, Hyatt Peloton promo, using Plastiq for payments, and tips for free summer activities and saving on app subscriptions.

Jun 28, 202523 minEp. 234

Money: What Each Generation Gets Right (& Wrong) with Ben Carlson

#233: Explore how different generations approach money and what they get right (and wrong) about saving, investing, spending, and building wealth. We dig into the psychology of money across generations and share practical lessons on homeownership, retirement, automation, points inflation, and more. Ben Carlson is the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management . He runs the popular financial blog, A Wealth of Common Sense and is the author of four books on investing ...

Jun 25, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 233

Credit Cards: What's in My Wallet for 2025

#232: Chris reviews his current credit card lineup for 2025. He also covers how to evaluate new/existing cards, some card changes for 2025, new cards he's excited about, the best cards for each major spending category, and apps to manage all your cards. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/whats-in-my-wallet-2025 Link to What's In My Wallet Blog Post: https://chrishutchins.com/blog/whats-in-my-wallet-for-2025/ Partner Deals Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, legally bindin...

Jun 18, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 232

Top 50 Ways to Upgrade Your Life, Money, and Travel from 200+ Episodes of All the Hacks

#231: Chris shares his top 50 hacks, learnings and lessons from the past 230 episodes. Learn actionable strategies to level up your travel, wealth, points & miles, productivity, relationships, and so much more! Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/50-impactful-lessons-travel-money-life Partner Deals Copilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 NetSuite: Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance Facet: Personalized Financial Pl...

Jun 11, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 231

The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life with Nick Maggiulli

#230: The Wealth Ladder is a new philosophy for thinking about money and in this episode you'll learn exactly how to handle your spending, income, investments, and more, with tailored advice for every stage. We cover strategies to boost income, spend smarter with the 0.01% rule, avoid costly financial traps, evaluate new business opportunities, and achieve financial freedom. Nick Maggiulli is a financial writer, data expert, and the COO of Ritholtz Wealth Management . He’s the creator of the pop...

Jun 04, 202552 minEp. 230

Understanding and Improving Your Gut Health with Dr. Robynne Chutkan

#229: Your gut is the engine of your entire body, so today we break down how to keep it running smoothly with practical, evidence-backed tips. We cover the gut’s powerful role in digestion, immunity, and brain health while challenging common misconceptions about reflux, probiotics, and more. Dr. Robynne Chutkan is a board-certified integrative gastroenterologist, bestselling author, and founder of the Digestive Center for Wellness. She’s the founder of Gutbliss and host of the Gutbliss Podcast ,...

May 28, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 229

Deep Dive on Citi Credit Cards and ThankYou Points (Best 2-Card Combo)

228: A deep dive into Citi’s credit card lineup. I've recently opened up a few Citi cards and am very excited about sharing the best Citi cards, how to maximize ThankYou Points, the best airline and hotel transfer partners, and how Citi’s best two-card combo stacks up against other major issuers. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/citi-credit-cards-thank-you-points Partner Deals Thrive Market: 30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift Facet: Personalized Fin...

May 21, 202558 minEp. 228

The Path to Becoming an Expert in Points & Miles with Devon Gimbel

#227: An actionable 4-step framework to master points and miles while maximizing personal value. We cover high-yield earning strategies like paying processing fees, bulk ordering, and leveraging business expenses, plus tactics for scaling award travel for multiple people. We also explore alternate pathways to earn and redeem points without chasing “perfection.” Devon Gimbel is the founder of Point Me to First Class , an educational platform and podcast that teaches people to maximize their spend...

May 14, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 227

Optimizing Vacations, New Ways to Earn Points, Airline Changes and More

#226: From optimizing travel and rewards to new ways to earn points, Chris shares some recent tactics he's picked up on upgrades and award travel. He also covers some flight deals, airline changes, Mother's Day gift ideas, and reflects on recent podcast episodes. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/optimizing-vacations-and-new-ways-to-earn-points⁠ Partner Deals Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, ...

May 07, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 226

Optimize Your Oral Health for a Longer Life with Dr. Mark Burhenne

#225: Learn how to optimize your oral health to prevent disease and improve your overall health. We cover the ideal oral care routine, negative impacts of mouth breathing, the truth about fluoride, the role of nutrition and diet, how to choose the right dentist, dental coverage options, and so much more. Dr. Mark Burhenne is a functional dentist, author, and the founder of Ask the Dentist , a go-to resource for evidence-based oral health education. He is also the co-founder of Fygg , a toothpast...

Apr 30, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 225

Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song

#224: This is the ultimate guide to airport lounges. You'll learn how to access the best lounges without needing to fly first class by using credit cards, memberships, elite status, and more. We’ll also discuss the best lounges, underrated perks, tools to manage access, avoiding crowded lounges and more. Kevin Song is the co-founder of This Lounge , one of the most comprehensive databases of airport lounges around the world. He is a former cybersecurity professional at WeWork, Hyatt, Deloitte, T...

Apr 23, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 224

Become a 10x Better, More Effective Writer with Neville Medhora

#223: Actionable tips to become a better writer—whether it’s for work, business, or everyday life. We cover the biggest copywriting mistakes, essential skills for effective writing, the only copywriting formula you need to know, plus the tools and exercises (including AI) to sharpen your writing. Neville Medhora is the founder of Copywriting Course and SwipeFile.com . He’s worked with top companies to help them craft high-converting copy to grow their sales exponentially. Link to Full Show Notes...

Apr 16, 202555 minEp. 223

Earning Points on Taxes, Navigating Market Volatility, Stacking Deals and More

#222: Discover how paying taxes with a credit card can unlock huge rewards—or even turn a profit. Chris also shares how he's handling the current market decline and shares practical tips for teaching kids about money, stacking card-linked offers, and using VPNs for big savings. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/pay-taxes-with-credit-card-2025-musings Partner Deals Facet: Personalized Financial Planning + $250 enrollment fee waived Storyworth: Share your mother's stories in a cus...

Apr 09, 202542 minEp. 222
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