Podcast · Business

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

by Chris Hutchins · English · Business

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

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 5 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

Have Better Conversations and Build Deeper Connections with Vanessa Van Edwards

#297: Learn how to turn small talk, awkward encounters, and everyday logistics into conversations that actually matter. Chris and Vanessa explore the chemistry behind great conversations, how to find the topics that make people light up, and the three levels of conversation that lead to deeper connection. Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, bestselling author of Captivate and Cues , and founder of Science of People . She teaches at Harvard , and her new book, Conversation: How to Connect with Anyone and Make Every Interaction Count , is available now. Link to Full Show Notes:…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E296 · 23 Sep 2026 · 50 min
The Best Cell Phone Plans (and How I’m Saving Big)
#296: You're probably overpaying for cell service, and switching could save you hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing coverage or features. Chris breaks down what's changed with the big carriers and MVNOs, the math behind "free phone" deals, the few features only AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile still offer, and his shortlist of the best unlimited plans. He also shares the cheapest backup line for two-factor texts, a $20 home internet backup, how to think about cell phone insurance, and the smartest way to buy a new iPhone. Link to Full Show Notes:…
E295 · 16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Turning the Tables: My Approach to Points, Miles and Travel
#295: Chris shares the strategies he actually uses to earn, spend, and maximize millions of points and miles. He breaks down how many credit cards most people really need, his approach to booking award travel for a family, the rise of massive card-member flight discounts, when to pay cash vs. points, and some of his favorite—and most unusual—redemptions. Meghan Coyle and Sally French are the hosts of NerdWallet's Smart Travel podcast, a weekly show on travel news, loyalty programs and travel credit cards that helps listeners travel more and pay less. Link to Full Show Notes:…
E294 · 9 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Deep Dive on World of Hyatt: Points, Perks and Status
#294: Chris breaks down everything he's learned going all in on World of Hyatt. He covers the brands and footprint, earning points with Hyatt credit cards and transfers, what points are really worth, every status tier and milestone reward, and how to get Globalist treatment without having status. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/world-of-hyatt-deep-dive Partner Deals ElevenLabs: Build an experience your customers will love Copilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 MasterClass: ⁠Learn from the world's best with 15% off…
E293 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
How to Make Your Home Healthier at Any Budget with Dom Francks
#293: Learn to make your home healthier by focusing on the environmental factors that actually matter. Chris and Dom break down how to improve air and water quality, ventilation, mold prevention, lighting, and EMF exposure, plus what to prioritize in your bedroom, which popular healthy-home products to avoid, and the best upgrades at any budget. ⁠Dom Francks⁠ is the General Manager of ⁠Lightwork Home⁠ , a Stanford-trained engineer, and former climate-tech product leader. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/healthy-home-air-water-light-dom-francks/. Partner Deals Gusto: ⁠Free…
E292 · 26 Aug 2026 · 54 min
What Happens to Your Points and Miles When You Die?
#292: What happens to your points and miles when you die? And how can you make sure they don’t disappear? Chris breaks down how major banks, airlines, and hotel programs handle rewards after death, strategies to protect or transfer your points, and the steps you can take now to make things easier for your family. Plus, learn what to do if you’re already dealing with a loved one’s rewards, why documenting your accounts and logins matters, and the surprising rules around gift cards, divorce, and timeshares. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/points-and-miles-after-death Partner…
E291 · 19 Aug 2026 · 58 min
The Science of Lasting Happiness with Arthur Brooks
#291: Behavioral social scientist Arthur Brooks joins Chris to reveal why success and happiness follow different rules as we age. They dig into fluid vs. crystallized intelligence, success addiction and dopamine, the reverse bucket list, and how to actually buy happiness. Arthur C. Brooks is a Harvard Professor, musician, and columnist for the Atlantic, where he writes the weekly " How to Build a Life " column. He is the bestselling author of numerous books on happiness and human flourishing. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/arthur-brooks-happiness-success-purpose/ Partner…
E290 · 12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
The New Rules of Points & Miles in 2026 with Brian M
#290: Chris and Brian break down the biggest trends reshaping points and miles. They discuss new ways to earn transferable points without a credit card, the award search tools worth using right now, a six-month check-in on Bilt, and what's coming next for premium cards. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-rules-points-miles-2026/⁠ Partner Deals DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web NetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today Trust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans…
E289 · 5 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
How We Booked a $20,000 Vacation With Points
#289: Chris and Amy booked a last-minute week in Bora Bora that would have cost over $20,000, almost entirely on points. They break down how it came together, why they chose Bora Bora over Fiji, the Marriott award search quirk that hid available rooms, flying business class in both directions by mixing two airlines, and using card travel credits on the inter-island flights. Then, three nights in, they decided to abandon the deal and pay more to switch resorts. They compare and rank the major Bora Bora resorts, weigh points versus cash, and explain what makes French Polynesia one of the…
E288 · 22 Jul 2026 · 58 min
Where to Keep Your Cash for the Highest Return
#288: Chris breaks down exactly where to park your cash to earn the most, whether you have $10,000 or a few million. From high-yield savings accounts and Treasury ETFs to brokerage bonuses and cash management accounts, he explains the tradeoffs that actually matter—and why the highest advertised interest rate isn't always the best choice. He also shares the interactive tool he built to compare nearly 100 cash options based on your specific situation. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/where-to-put-your-cash-2026 Partner Deals Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for…
E287 · 15 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Putting Die With Zero Into Practice with Brad Barrett
#287: Chris and Brad Barrett revisit "Die With Zero" and confront how much harder Bill Perkins' ideas are to live than to agree with. They dig into when frugality flips from superpower to liability, the maximizer's struggle to let go, optimizing for the perfect Tuesday over the once-a-year trip, and giving money to your kids while it still matters. Brad is the co-host of the ChooseFI podcast and co-author of Choose FI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence . Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/die-with-zero-revisited-brad-barrett/ Partner Deals Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on…
E286 · 8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Are Credit Card Points Still Worth It? and More Listener Q&A
#286: With credit card fees climbing, credits getting harder to use, and points constantly devaluing, it's fair to ask whether earning points and miles is even worth it anymore. In this AMA, Chris breaks down why the fees are still worth it for him (and who they're not worth it for), common mistakes to avoid when running the numbers, and when cash back makes the most sense. He also walks through how to start from scratch, when a high annual fee actually pays for itself, and how to squeeze more out of overlooked spending categories. Link to Full Show Notes:…
E285 · 1 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
#285: Bill Perkins joins Chris to unpack what dying with zero really means in practice. They discuss why net fulfillment matters at every stage of life, which experiences are worth prioritizing now, how to bank memory dividends, the questions to ask yourself before spending (or saving), and how to solve for maximum fulfillment. ⁠Bill Perkins⁠ is a hedge fund manager, energy trader, and author of the international bestseller ⁠Die With Zero . Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/bill-perkins-net-fulfillment-beats-net-worth⁠ Partner Deals Haven: ⁠Skip the waitlist for the best…
E284 · 24 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
20+ Credit Card Benefits You’re Probably Not Using
#284: Chris breaks down the credit card benefits that save real money but rarely get attention, from getting a cracked iPhone repaired for free to purchase protections, travel coverage, and a deep bench of lesser-known perks. Learn exactly which card to reach for on every purchase, so you're always covered and never leaving money on the table. Link to Full Show Notes: ⁠ https://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/⁠ Partner Deals Fora: ⁠Become a Fora Advisor today⁠ Bilt Rewards: ⁠⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent⁠ Mercury: ⁠Help your business grow with simplified…
E283 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?
#283: Learn exactly when to buy travel insurance and when your credit cards already have you covered. Chris breaks down what travel insurance covers, how those benefits compare to the coverage built into popular credit cards, and when it makes sense to buy additional protection. Plus, what US health insurance actually covers abroad, and specialty policies worth getting for medical evacuation, scuba diving, and trips off the beaten path. Link to Full Show Notes: ⁠https://chrishutchins.com/travel-insurance Partner Deals Zocdoc: ⁠Find and instantly book a doctor you love today⁠ DeleteMe: ⁠⁠20%…
E282 · 10 Jun 2026 · 53 min
Saving Money and Optimizing is My Kryptonite
#282: When does optimization stop helping and start hurting? Chris shares how a string of seemingly smart decisions had him pouring hours into marginal gains that never materialized. He unpacks the hidden cost of optimization, the role AI plays in amplifying it, and how he's learning to focus on what actually moves the needle. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/optimizing-is-my-kryptonite/ Partner Deals NetSuite: ⁠⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance⁠ Superhuman: ⁠⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS⁠ Green Chef: ⁠⁠50% off your…
E281 · 3 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Taking My Health Into My Own Hands: Tests, Records, and What Actually Worked
#281: Chris shares the full playbook he used to take control of his health after digging into his biomarkers. He breaks down which tests are actually worth your money and when each one matters. Plus, how he built a personal health AI from his own medical records to surface what doctors missed. Link to Full Show Notes: ⁠https://chrishutchins.com/personal-health-ai-diagnostics/.⁠ Partner Deals DeleteMe: ⁠⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web⁠ Fora: ⁠Become a Fora Advisor today⁠ Copilot Money: ⁠⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2⁠ Gelt: ⁠⁠Skip…
E280 · 27 May 2026 · 50 min
The Hidden Rules of Credit Card Approvals
#280: Learn how to dramatically improve your odds of getting approved for the credit cards you actually want. Chris breaks down the hidden system every bank uses to evaluate applications, why your credit score matters far less than what's on your report, and the real factors driving denials, from credit-to-income ratios to recent inquiries to each issuer's internal model. He also walks through what to do before you apply, how to sequence applications across issuers, and the right moves to make after a denial. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/credit-card-approval-strategy…
E279 · 20 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
How Long-Term Investors Actually Think About Risk with Ben Carlson
#279: Learn to handle market volatility and build long-term wealth in a world dominated by AI disruption, market fear, inflation concerns, and nonstop financial noise. Chris and Ben discuss why investing remains psychologically difficult, how to think about global diversification, when to reevaluate your portfolio, and the risks most investors still overlook. Ben Carlson is the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management and the author of five books on investing, including his newest, Risk and Reward . He's the creator of the blog A Wealth of Common Sense and…
E278 · 13 May 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
The AI Tools I'm Building to Replace My Spreadsheets with Anish Acharya
#278: Is AI making it possible for the average person to live a fully optimized life? Chris and Anish swap notes on how custom AI tools are replacing years of spreadsheets, and reshaping the way we work, learn, create, and relate to each other. They dig into why Chris has abandoned OpenClaw, the architecture mistakes almost everyone is making, and what happens when the subsidies on all these tools eventually go away. Anish Acharya is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz , where he leads consumer and AI-native investing. Link to Full Show Notes:…
E277 · 6 May 2026 · 51 min
The Japan ER Visit That Changed How We Travel (& Tokyo Disney) with Amy Fox
#277: The last morning of our Japan trip turned into a sprint to a Tokyo emergency room, and challenged what we thought we knew about traveling abroad. We break down what a Japanese ER really cost, credit card benefits most travelers don't know they have, the best places to shop in Japan right now, and how to navigate Disney Tokyo without losing your day to four-hour lines. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/japan-with-kids-er-visit-tokyo-disney/ Partner Deals Copilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on…
E276 · 29 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Saving $30K+ on the Perfect Spring Break Japan Trip with Amy Fox
#276: Learn how Chris and Amy booked four nonstop business class seats and a week at the Park Hyatt Tokyo almost entirely on points. They break down the strategy, key takeaways for traveling with kids, Chris' AI-powered trip planner, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/50k-points-japan-trip Partner Deals Upwork: ⁠Free job posting to find, hire, and pay top freelance talent Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today MasterClass: ⁠Learn from the world's best with 15% off Aura Frames: $25 off the Carver Mat with code…
E275 · 22 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
The Custom Everything Era with Kevin Rose
#275: Chris and Kevin dig into how they're actually using AI tools in their daily lives right now. They explore real-world AI use cases, the tradeoffs of sharing personal data, the collapse of trust online, and what all of this means for jobs, creativity, and human connection. Kevin Rose is the host of Diggnation and a partner at True Ventures , an early-stage venture capital firm that has invested over $4 billion in a portfolio of over 400+ founders. Kevin previously founded Zero and Oak , and was a partner at Google Ventures. Link to Full Show Notes:…
E274 · 15 Apr 2026 · 46 min
The Surprising History of Points and Miles
#274: Chris walks through the complete history of points and miles and breaks down the $140 billion machine behind them, so you can get more out of every point you earn. He covers the legal accidents that made credit cards wildly profitable, why loyalty programs are worth more than the airlines, the psychology behind why you keep hoarding points, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/history-of-points-and-miles Partner Deals Storyworth: Share your mother's stories in a custom book (+ up to $20 off) Fabric: ⁠Affordable term life insurance for you and your family Gelt:…
E273 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 55 min
Stop Overthinking and Start Deciding with Derek Sivers
#273: Learn to stop overthinking and make better decisions. Chris and Derek discuss how optimizing can go wrong, a coin flip trick for making decisions, journaling as a superpower, how your actions might reveal what you actually want, and more. Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur, writer, and self-proclaimed "slow thinker" best known for founding CD Baby, which he sold for $22M and gave the proceeds to charity. He’s since dedicated his life to creating, learning, and writing books like Hell Yeah or No . Link to Full Show Notes:…
E272 · 1 Apr 2026 · 57 min
My Process for Booking Travel with Points & Miles
#272: Learn how to turn your points into significantly better travel experiences by following a simple, repeatable system. We cover how to plan, find award availability, choose the right tools, and decide between portals vs. transfers, plus the mindset shifts that make the whole process work. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/booking-travel-with-points-and-miles-2026 Partner Deals Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the…
E271 · 25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr
How to Actually Live the Life You're Optimizing For with Sahil Bloom
#271: Learn why over-optimizing your life can quietly destroy the things you actually care about. Chris and Sahil explore the doorman fallacy, why big life decisions should happen fast, how to use AI as a thinking partner, and why systems beat motivation every time. Sahil Bloom is a writer, entrepreneur, and investor. He wrote The 5 Types of Wealth , publishes the newsletter The Curiosity Chronicle to nearly a million readers, and is the Founder of the men's skincare line Wild Roman . Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/sahil-bloom-stop-over-optimizing-life Partner Deals…
E270 · 18 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Ski Trip Mishaps, AI Interior Design, Reflecting on Life and More
#270: Chris and Amy discuss lessons from three ski trips with kids, using AI to redesign rooms on a budget, their favorite new gadgets, navigating high-deductible health plans, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/ski-trips-ai-home-design-health-finances-amy Partner Deals NetSuite: Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Upwork: Free job posting to…
E269 · 11 Mar 2026 · 58 min
Navigating Transfer Bonuses, Hyatt Devaluation, New Card Offers and More
#269: Chris breaks down why he transferred >200k points for a transfer bonus and how to know when they're actually worth it. He also covers Hyatt's new award chart changes, the latest elevated welcome offers, and how he's using multiple AI agents to optimize his work and life. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/transfer-bonuses-hyatt-devaluation-ai Partner Deals Copilot Money: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family Gusto: Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software Mercury:…
E268 · 4 Mar 2026 · 1 hr
Stop Planning, Start Experimenting: A Science-Backed Approach to a Better Life with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
#268: Learn why setting big goals might actually be holding you back and what to do instead. Chris and Anne-Laure explore how to replace goal-setting with tiny, low-risk experiments that lead to more growth, more joy, and less burnout. Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a neuroscientist, writer, and founder of Ness Labs , a learning community at the intersection of science and self-development. She is the author of Tiny Experiments and publishes a weekly newsletter on mindful productivity, creativity, and growth. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/tiny-experiments-anne-laure-le-cunff/…

About All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life is a English business podcast from Chris Hutchins. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Chris Hutchins
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 5 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1560751222
Rights: 2026 - Chris Hutchins

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