All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

Latest Episodes:

The Psychology of Money with Morgan Housel Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

#6: Renowned financial columnist, Morgan Housel talks with Chris about the psychology of money. They discuss the mindset of winning investors, new ways to think about risk, when to hold cash vs. invest, and how you can stop wanting more and focus on your own financial independence.

Morgan Housel (@morganhousel) is a partner at Collaborative Fund and a former columnist at The Motley Fool and The Wall Street Journal. He is also the author of the bestselling book The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness.

Full show notes available at: https://www.allthehacks.com/psychology-of-money-morgan-housel/

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Morgan: Twitter | Website | LinkedIn

Morgan’s book: The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

Benjamin Graham's Books: The Intelligent Investor | Security Analysis

Eric Johnson's Book on Nazi Germany: What We Knew

Full Show Notes

(01:22) What Drove Morgan to Write the Book?

(03:58) Contrasting Finance Education with Real-World Application

(05:44) Unveiling the Highest Form of Wealth

(07:18) Exploring Financial Independence as a Spectrum

(10:28) Building Wealth: Balancing Saving and Earning

(12:30) The Paradox: Why People Dislike Saving Money

(13:36) Curbing Desires: A Strategy for Specific Individuals

(17:20) Extremes of FIRE: Striking a Social Balance

(19:34) Unraveling the Mysteries of Irrational Money Behavior

(22:16) Active vs. Passive Investing: Can You Embrace Both?

(26:52) Understanding Your True Risk Tolerance

(32:34) Embracing Fallibility and Liberating Yourself from Perfection

(36:25) Staying the Course: Making Multiple Calculated Bets

(38:51) Framework for Learning from Financial Mistakes

(39:30) Multidimensional History: Acknowledging Different Perspectives

(41:26) Learning from History: The Best Approach

(44:41) Reimagining Education: Shifting Curriculum Focus

(46:54) Parental Role: Nurturing Financial Education in Kids

(49:04) Delving into the Overlooked Aspects of Behavioral Finance

(50:47) The Singular Financial Hack You Need

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Finding the Best Flight Deals to Anywhere in the World with Scott Keyes Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

#5: Chris and Scott cover how to get the best deals on flights around the world. They discuss when and how to find and book the cheapest flights, making the most of flight cancelations or delays and lots of travel hacks to maximize happiness on all your trips.

Scott Keyes (@smkeyes) is the founder of Going, a service that helps over two million members find incredible deals on flights around the world. He is also the author of the bestselling book Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World.

Full show notes available at: https://allthehacks.com/cheap-flights-scott-keyes/

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Scott Keyes: Twitter | Instagram

Scott's Book: Take More Vacations

Best Search Engine for Flights: Google Flights

Find Nonstop Flights from any Airport: Flight Connections

Find Train, Bus and Ferry Routes: Rome2Rio | Seat61

Full Show Notes

(00:46) Scott’s Background and How He Got the Best Flight Deal in His Life

(03:50) The Power of More Vacations: Boosting Happiness and Success

(5:45) Living in the Golden Age of Cheap Flights: Why It's Possible

(7:09) Flexibility: The Key Areas for Scoring Cheap Flights

(9:47) Flight Deal Insight: Small vs. Large Airports

(13:39) Where to Look for Your Ideal Cheap Flights

(19:04) The Cost of Budget Airlines: Is It Worth It?

(22:05) Flight Delays and Cancellations: Navigating Challenges

(27:28) When Do You Want to Book Your Flights

(31:11) The Greek Island Strategy: Saving Big on International Trips

(34:51) Two Search Tools: Finding Nonstop Flights and Ferries, Trains and Buses

(37:48) Scott's Approach to Travel Insurance

(39:03) Change and Cancellation Policies: What You Should Know

(52:38) Leveraging Flight Schedule Changes for Advantage

(42:44) Business Class: Worth the Splurge?

(45:17) Optimal Timing for Activities to Maximize Happiness

(47:14) 24-Hour Rule: Sealing the Deal on Cheap Flights

(49:56) Group Travel Savings: Strategies for Multiple Passengers

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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Getting the Best Deal on Your Next Car with LeeAnn Shattuck May 26, 2021

Show notes

#4: Professional car buyer LeeAnn Shattuck joins Chris to talk about getting the best deal when buying and selling a vehicle. They discuss the buying new and used cars, making the decision to lease or buy, negotiating the best price and how to get the most when you're selling or trading in your existing car.

LeeAnn Shattuck is the founder of The Car Chick, a car buying service that helps people get a great deal on a new or used car. She's also a self-professed “car nut”, a champion race car driver and host of The Straight Shift podcast.

Full show notes available at: https://www.allthehacks.com/car-deals-leeann-shattuck/

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Connect with LeeAnn Shattuck: The Car Chick | The Straight Shift

Find out the reliability of your vehicle: Consumer Reports

Database of Owners Vehicle Complaints: CarComplaints

Renting a Car to Test Drive It: Turo

Most Popular Car Right Now: Kia Telluride

Car Search Engines: AutoTrader | Cars.com

New Car Buying Sites: TrueCar | Costco Auto

Online Car Dealers: Carvana | Vroom | Shift

Used Car Inspections: LemonSquad

Finding Car Invoice Pricing: Edmunds

Getting a Used Car Report: CarFax

Full Show Notes

(01:45) How LeeAnn First Fell in Love with Cars

(03:37) The Biggest Misconception People Have When Buying a Car

(04:30) Should You Buy a New Car or a Used One?

(06:48) Which Vehicles Depreciate Slower?

(08:07) Looking Up the Reliability of Cars

(09:35) Are Cars Safer Nowadays?

(12:16) How COVID-19 Made Used Cars More Expensive

(14:35) How to Test Drive a Car Unavailable for Test Drive

(16:13) Is It Easy to Change the Color of a Car?

(17:39) What’s the Best Way to Shop for a New Car?

(22:35) Why TrueCar and Costco’s Auto Buying Program Aren’t the Best Deal

(24:02) Finding Used Cars While Avoiding Scams

(26:57) Buying a Used Car from Websites like CarMax or Carvana (Should You Do It?)

(29:15) Why You Always Need a Pre-Purchase Inspection (and How to Do It)

(31:27) Certified Pre-Owned: Is It Worth It? (And the Best Certified Pre-Owned Program)

(34:54) The Ultimate Car Buying Hack

(38:00) Should You Negotiate the Price First or Decide to Lease or Buy First?

(39:18) Two Essential Steps to Negotiating the Best Price for a Car

(43:24) One More Good Thing to Ask for at the End of Your Deal

(44:30) The Best Time to Buy a Car

(46:06) What Happens When Your Salesperson Has to “Go to the Back”

(49:56) What If You Can’t Get the Best Deal Because the Market Is Down?

(52:10) Leasing a Car: What Leasing Companies Don’t Want You to Know

(56:10) How to Make Money Getting Out of Your Lease

(58:49) Is It Better to Lease or Buy If You Like Trading Cars?

(1:00:20) What Should You Do If You Go Over Your Leasing Mileage?

(1:01:10) Should You Shop for an Interest Rate (And Who Can Do That)?

(1:03:00) What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Your Old Car and Maximize Your Profit?

(1:05:57) Always Do This Before Buying a Used Car

(1:07:35) How LeeAnn Helps Hook Her Clients Up with the Best Deals

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Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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Optimizing Credit Card Points and Miles with Alex Miller May 19, 2021

Show notes

#3: Points optimizer Alex Miller joins Chris to go deep on credit cards and points hacks. They discuss the best cards to get right now, how to get thousands of points without spending much money, and ways you should NOT be spending your points.

Alex Miller is the Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, a site that helps millions of people each month maximize their points and miles. An avid traveler himself, Alex regularly uses points for extravagant trips around the world, like flying in luxurious first-class cabins complete with onboard bars and showers that would have cost $50,000 if he were paying cash.

Full show notes available at: https://www.allthehacks.com/credit-card-points-alex-miller/

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Selected Links From The Episode

Connect with Alex Miller: LinkedIn | Upgraded Points

Budget tracker: Mint

Leveraging international credit in the US: Nova Credit

Cards Mentioned

American Express® Gold Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
For other cards mentioned visit our Best Credit Cards Page

Keep track of your points: Award Wallet

Additional Links from Upgraded Points

Full Show Notes

(01:42) Who is Alex Miller?

(02:30) Alex’s First Taste of Business Class

(06:10) Recognizing Suboptimal Credit Card Optimization

(08:04) Choosing Points Cards Aligned with Spending Habits

(10:02) Downsides of Budget Tracking with Mint

(10:52) Credit Card Impact on Your Credit Score

(13:42) Leveraging International Credit for US Cards

(15:07) Cash Back vs. Points: Which is Better?

(16:23) Combining Benefit of Cash Back and Points

(17:40) Unpacking the Value of Different Points

(18:36) Disadvantages of Using Points for Gift Cards

(19:49) Pitfalls of Airline Credit Cards

(22:00) Hotel Cards: Perks like Free Night Stays

(22:36) Considering High Annual Fee Cards

(24:50) Steps Before Canceling a High Fee Card

(26:37) Chris and Alex’s Point Redemption Triumphs

(34:00) Achievable Free Vacations with Points

(36:27) Current Best Points Card Options

(40:28) Complementary Cards: A Must-Have

(41:15) Optimal Times for Cash Back Card Use

(42:06) Eligibility for Business Credit Cards

(43:43) Getting Amazon Points Beyond Groceries

(45:52) Earning Points Without Spending Money

(47:03) Maximizing Offers on Your Credit Card

(48:59) Accelerating Points via Shopping Portals

(51:18) Organizing Points Across Different Cards

(52:04) Flexible Flying Desires with Points

(54:14) Hottest Sign-Up Bonuses Right Now

(56:30) Demystifying the 5/24 Rule

(57:25) Insights on Capital One

(58:12) Timing Behind Current Major Sign-Up Bonuses

(59:21) Options if Card Application Isn’t Approved

(1:00:09) Post-Bonus Card Retention Duration

(1:02:10) Reasons for Downgrading a Card

(1:04:00) Connecting with Alex Miller

Connect with All the Hacks

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Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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How to be Financially Independent Without a Six Figure Salary with Brad Barrett May 13, 2021

Show notes

#2: Financial independence (FI) expert Brad Barrett joins Chris to discuss how you can achieve FI no matter how much you make, including how much money you need to hit FI, savings hacks you can use along the way, and the power of intentionality.

Brad Barrett is the co-host of ChooseFI, the top podcast on financial independence with more than one million monthly listeners. Brad became financially independent and quit his job at 35 years old, without ever earning a six-figure salary. He also runs Travel Miles 101 and Richmond Savers.

Full show notes available at: https://www.allthehacks.com/financial-independence-brad-barrett/

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Selected Links From The Episode

Brad Barrett: LinkedIn

ChooseFI: Podcast | Instagram | Local groups

The shockingly simple math behind early retirement article: Mr. Money Mustache

Automate your savings strategy: Wealthfront

eBooks from your library: Overdrive

Cheaper mobile phone plans: Republic Wireless | Mint Mobile

Learn how to travel the world for pennies: Travel Miles 101

Hotels mentioned: Disney Swan Hotel | Fairmont Bermuda Hotel

Book a personal trip through rewards with: Flight Fox

Track price history and set price alerts on your favorite products: Camel Camel Camel

Show Notes

(00:20) Who is Brad Barrett the Financial Independence Expert?

(01:25) The Ultimate Definition of Financial Independence - One Hack to Rule Them All

(03:25) Mistakes Brad Has Made on His Journey

(04:22) Exploring the True Meaning of Financial Independence

(05:48) Can Anyone Achieve Financial Independence? It's a Simple Equation

(09:19) Brad's Strategic Choices that Paved the Path to Financial Independence

(10:45) Balancing Financial Independence without Sacrificing Everything

(11:50) The Mindset Shift: What Do You Value More?

(19:03) Demonstrating That Financial Independence Isn't About Deprivation

(13:41) Dispelling the Myth: Do You Have to Save 90% of Your Income?

(20:44) Managing Your Finances: Does It Require Excessive Time and Effort?

(23:27) Step One: Calculate the Cost of Your Life for Financial Independence

(26:02) Embracing Awareness: Even Brad's Continuous Journey to Improvement

(28:07) Tracking Savings: From Pen and Paper to Utilizing Savings Apps

(30:57) Advice for Those Choosing to Work Indefinitely

(31:41) The 4% Rule: Calculating Your Financial Independence Savings

(35:39) Beyond the 4% Rule: Chris's Perspective on its Limitations

(37:29) Hacks Beyond Saving: Expanding Strategies for Financial Gains

(40:29) Unlocking Free eBooks via the Public Library

(42:25) Cutting Costs on Mobile Plans and Data Usage Control

(43:51) Discovering Personalized Tiny Sacrifices for Significant Savings

(44:09) Brad's $150 Vacation vs. $5,000: The Reward Points Advantage

(50:20) Gamifying Purchases: Unveiling Product Price History for Smart Shopping

(53:00) Key Takeaway: Intentionality and Optimization without Compromise

(54:00) Connecting with Brad and Exploring ChooseFI

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Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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Pro Travel Hacks for Every Aspect of Your Next Trip with Leigh Rowan May 08, 2021

Show notes

#1: Travel pro Leigh Rowan joins Chris to discuss the travel hacks you need for your next trip, including getting the best prices on flights and hotels, having authentic local experiences and not getting ripped off changing money.

Leigh Rowan (@leighrowan) is a serious travel hacker. He is the founder and CEO of Savanti Travel, a travel management company for executives and prior to that was the COO of The Points Guy.

Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/travel-hacks-leigh-rowan

Partner Deals

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

All the Hacks Newsletter: Sign Up

Leigh Rowan: Twitter | Savanti Travel

Top Credit Cards and Signup Bonuses: Top Cards for 2021 | Best Signup Bonuses

Best flight search tool: Google Flights

Find travel advisers who might have flight/hotel deals: Virtuoso

Find your airline’s seat map: SeatGuru

Great deals on rental cars: Costco

Airline Vacation Portals: American | Delta | United

Find guides from your local library using this extension: Library Extension

Free concierges from your Credit Cards: Amex | Visa | MasterCard

Find a local to show you around at your destination: ShowAround

Eat with a local: EatWith

Do a photography session at your destination: Flytography

Local guides to what's happening: TimeOut

Switching to an eSIM: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile

Offline mode to save data: Google Maps | Google Translate

Phone Plans for International Travel: Google Fi

Show Notes

(01:40) Leigh's Travel Industry Background

(03:10) Pre-Trip Planning Essentials

(06:35) Optimal Choices: Cheapest or Warm Destination?

(07:30) Paying: Miles vs. Cash

(08:34) Airlines: Direct Booking vs. Expedia

(10:11) Accessing Corporate Flight Rates

(10:31) Choosing the Best International Airline

(12:18) VIP Treatment & Rental Assurance

(14:16) Navigating Costco Travel Deals

(15:48) Flexibility with COVID Flight Policies

(16:26) Google Flights Search Tips

(17:05) Effective Hotel Search Techniques

(18:58) Tripadvisor Plus: Worth the Cost?

(20:48) Hotel Booking Impact on Experience

(22:43) Hotel Perks & Upgrades Strategy

(25:09) Importance of Hotel Communication

(25:30) Trusting Hotel Concierge for Food

(26:52) Securing Best Vacation Home Prices

(28:49) Early Food Tours: Arrival Advantage

(29:40) Additional Trip Planning Insights

(32:00) Unconventional Guidebook-Free Experiences

(33:31) Unveiling Destination Management Companies

(34:14) Souvenir Idea: Travel Photography

(34:47) Credit Card Concierge Insights

(36:44) Credit Card Concierge Services Assessment

(38:58) Finding Great Food & Avoiding Tourist Traps

(42:33) Safest & Cheapest Travel Cash Methods

(44:20) Handling Local Currency After Your Trip

(45:40) Avoiding a Bank Travel Scam

(47:37) Getting Local Cell Service or Data

(48:55) Phone Preparation for Travel

(50:53) Traveling without Main Phone/Laptop

(51:48) Leigh's Upcoming Trips

(52:34) Introduction to Savanti Travel

Connect with All the Hacks

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Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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All the Hacks: Trailer Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Chris is a die-hard optimizer who does all the research to get the best experience in life without the expensive price tag.

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