👋 Hi Reader,

Happy Saturday! Here's a sneak peek of what's included in today's newsletter:

• 🚀 How to stop over-optimizing and focus on what matters
• 💺 25% off Flying Blue award flights in October
• 🍽️ 2 easy ways to earn points on dining
• 🍔 Free Grubhub+ with Amazon Prime (+ $10 discount)
• 🔗 Save $1,750+ with card-linked offers
• 🛒 $100 Coupon with 1-Year Costco membership
• 🏛️ Free museum tickets with BoA cards
• 💰 5x/5% back in Q4: Old Navy, travel, PayPal & more
• 🏋🏽 Get your fitness memberships reimbursed with HSA/FSA
• 🎯 Deals at Target this weekend and more!

One small favor: if you enjoyed reading, please forward this email to someone else who might too! And if that's you, make sure to subscribe here. Thanks so much in advance!

Chris

🚀 Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters

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Want to learn how 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. Plus, we discuss Tim’s creative process behind his card game and the value of play.

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📋 My Past Week

Here's a quick recap of what I was up to last week.

• My wife and I spent a few days this past week at a retreat put on by Long Angle and it was a really great chance to meet so many others from the community and share learnings on everything from parenting to investing to estate planning. I recorded an episode on my takeaways from the event, which will be coming out in a few weeks!
• While at the retreat, I had a chance to race go karts at Sonoma Raceway and it was SO MUCH FUN! I'd never done outdoor go-karting, but I'm already looking forward to the next time.
• I recently got a Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag as a replacement for an aging toiletry bag/dopp kit and it's awesome. It's very light and has a ton of space. It's now a go-to for all my travels, just like the packing cubes we have from Tortuga.
• Given the travel, I only have one great recipe to share this week, but it's one we've made at least a dozen times and love it every time: One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo​
• Last week I took advantage of this $1,200 bonus for a new U.S. Bank business checking account. There's also a $200 bonus for business savings accounts, but I don't think you can do both.
• As someone managing high cholesterol with medication, I try to stay up-to-date on cardiovascular health and was fascinated to read the recent statement from the American College of Cardiology linking inflammation to cardiovascular disease.

🛫 Travel, Points & Miles

🔄 5 Transfer Bonuses: Up to 80% Off

Here are some transfer bonuses that might help you get a good deal, but I wouldn't speculatively transfer unless you're planning a trip.

• Popular Bank ➝ IHG One Rewards: 80% bonus (10/22)
• Popular Bank ➝ BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus: 30% bonus (10/31)
• Hotel Programs ➝ United MileagePlus: 25% bonus (10/31)
• Amex ➝ Air France/KLM Flying Blue: 20% bonus (10/31)
• Amex ➝ Marriott Bonvoy: 30% bonus (11/30)

💺 25% Off Flying Blue Award Flights in October

Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue Promo Rewards is offering a 25% discount on select economy award flights between Europe and cities like New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and more. Book before 10/31 for travel through 3/31/26.

P.S. Don’t forget to check the “secret” award calendar if you can’t find space, and that kids 2–12 also get 25% off tickets.

🏨 Hotel Promos: IHG, Hilton, Hyatt & More

If you've got upcoming travel, here are some of the hotel promotions to take advantage of.

• Hilton: Earn 1,500 bonus points on all stays until 12/31. Register here.
• Hyatt: Earn 500 bonus points per night at select new hotels when you book for eligible stay dates listed here.
• IHG: Save 15% on award stays at new properties through 12/31. Eligible hotels and deadlines for bookings are listed here.
• Preferred Hotels: Save up to 35% on select hotels when you book before 10/13 with promo code MKTFLASH for stays through 11/14.

🍽️ Up to 6,000 Marriott Points on Dining

Marriott’s Eat Around Town promo lets you earn up to 6,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you dine at participating restaurants during the month of October. You can also earn an additional 8 points per dollar on dining and takeout when you pay with a linked card.

🍱 Earn Wyndham Points on Dining + 1K Bonus Points

Similarly, the Dine Out with Wyndham Rewards is offering up to 5 Wyndham Rewards points for every dollar spent at 20,000+ restaurants and bars across the US. Plus, new members who spend $25 within 30 days of enrolling will get 1,000 bonus points. However, other loyalty programs also use the same Rewards Network for card-linking dining benefits, so only link your card if you want to rack up Wyndham points.

💰 5x Categories for Q4: Old Navy, Travel, PayPal & More

In Q4, a no-annual-fee credit card from a popular bank earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases at Old Navy, the bank's travel portal, and department stores that sell apparel, electronics, furniture, and more. Plus, in December, it also earns 5% back on PayPal purchases. Register here to qualify.

🤑 Latest Deals

🔗 Card-Linked Offers: $1,750+ in Savings

I love leveraging card-linked offers to maximize my savings, and here are some I found this week. Expiration dates are in parentheses.

• Best Buy: $25 off $250 (12/31)
• Best Western: $50 off $250 (12/31)
• Discovery+: $5.99 off $5.99, up to 3 times (12/31)
• EDITION Hotels: $300 off $750 (12/31)
• JW Marriott: $200 off $500 (12/31)
• Peacock Streaming: $10.99 off $10.99, up to 2 times (12/26)
• ShopRite: $10 off $85 (11/13)
• SIXT Car Rentals: 15% off $500 (11/1)
• The Luxury Collection: $300 off $750 (12/31)
• The Ritz-Carlton: $300 off $750 (12/31)
• The St. Regis: $300 off $750 (12/31)
• W Hotels: $200 off $500 (12/31)
• Viator: $30 off $300 (10/31)

🛒 $100 Coupon with 1-Year Costco Membership

For a limited time (until 10/27), you can buy a Costco Gold Star ($65) or Executive ($130) membership via Groupon and get a coupon for $100 off $200 at Costco.com.

🍔 Free Grubhub+ With Amazon Prime (+ $10 Discount)

​Amazon Prime members now get Grubhub+ as a permanent benefit, including free delivery on eligible orders. Plus, on 10/7 and 10/8, you can get $10 off $20 orders with promo code DEALS10.

🎯 Deals at Target This Weekend

Starting today, 10/4, Target Circle members will get $10 Circle rewards for every $100 spent, up to 5 times. Additionally, starting tomorrow, 10/5, there's an offer for 100% back in Staples rewards on luggage.

🏛️ Free Museum Tickets with Bank of America Cards

Bank of America credit and debit cardholders can enjoy free museum admission today and tomorrow (and on the first full weekend of every month) as part of the Museums on Us program. There are 200+ museums included, and all you need is a BoA card and a photo ID.

🎁 Latest Gift Card Deals

Here are some gift card deals I found this week. Expiration dates aren't available for most, but hopefully the offers are still available.

• Visa Gift Cards: $10 off $100 gift cards at Publix (today, 10/4)
• Meijer Mperks: $10 off $150 Mastercard gift cards (10/7)
• Kroger/Harris Teeter: 4x fuel points on select gift cards (10/14)
• Uber: $85 for a $100 gift card at Best Buy
• InKind: $40 for a $50 gift card on Amazon
• MastercardGiftCard: $10 gift card with $200 purchase using promo code BONUS10

🕵️ Top Finds

📺 Show Recommendation: Task

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I'm enjoying this new mini-series on HBO Max about an FBI agent leading a task force to investigate crime in Philadelphia

🏋🏽 Get Your Fitness Fees Reimbursed with HSA/FSA

A few months ago I shared how you might be able to use your HSA/FSA for gym/fitness memberships with a Letter of Medical Necessity. Now, it looks like Dr. B makes it easy to get one via an online consultation.

💬 Parting Thoughts

As always, thanks so much for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s newsletter, and if you enjoyed it, please let me know why! Or if you have suggestions for a future newsletter, please share those as well. I read every reply that comes in from these emails :)

Chris