👋 Hi Reader,

Hope your weekend is off to a great start! Here's a quick look into today's newsletter:

• 🏡 New card to earn points on mortgages, daycare and more
• 💸 What each generation gets right & wrong about money
• 💳 New Amex Gold & Platinum bonuses up to 175k
• ✈️ JetBlue promo to earn 350k points & status for 25yrs
• 💰 Up to 2% bonus for Robinhood crypto transfers
• 💺 Biz class award flight deals to 10+ destinations
• 🌴 Summer travel: hotel promos, bonus points, cash back
• 🏞️ Free National Park Annual Pass for 4th graders
• 🎂 How to get free food on your birthday and more!

I really hope you enjoy reading! Feel free to share this newsletter with someone else who might too! (And if that's you, subscribe here so you don't miss out on amazing deals in the future). Thanks so much!

Chris

💸 The Psychology of Money Across Generations

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Explore how different generations approach money and what they get right (and wrong) about saving, investing, spending, and building wealth. This week, Ben Carlson and I share practical lessons on homeownership, retirement, automation, points inflation, and more.

🛫 Travel, Points & Miles

🏠 Earn Points on Mortgages, Daycare and More

I recently got the Mesa Homeowners Card to earn 1x points on our mortgage payments (up to 100k/yr). You do need to spend at least $1k/mo on the card to earn those points, but that might be easier than you think because it earns 3x on lots of home & family spending like home improvement, property taxes and daycare and 2x on groceries, gas and EV charging.

Even better, the card has no annual fee and offers $600+ in credit each year for Costco, Lowe's, Wag!, Thumbtack and more. Also, the points you earn are transferrable to 8 different airlines and hotel programs.

I wrote this post with my thoughts and more details about the card, but make sure you use a referral link when you sign up to get a free 5,000 points. My referral link is here and my code is FCRGNB.

💳 Best Ever Welcome Offer on Amex Gold/Platinum

Amex currently has two best ever welcome offers on the Gold and Platinum cards. They are being marketed with "as high as" language and you won't know your precise offer until you fill out the application.

• ​Amex Platinum: Up to 175,000 points after $8k spend in 6mo
• ​Amex Gold: Up to 100,000 points after $6k spend in 6mo.

The Amex Gold is our primary card for dining and groceries because it earns 4x on both (up to $50,000 and $25,000 per year respectively). We also love the Platinum card for 5x flights and lounge access.

Note: the links above are referral links from our members, if you're interested in joining and adding your links, you can learn more here.

✈️ Big JetBlue Promo: 350k Points + Status for 25 Years

JetBlue is running a big promotion for their 25th anniversary. You can earn as many as 350,000 points and Mosaic status for 25 years after flying to different JetBlue destinations. 15 destinations = 150k points, 20 = 200k points, and 25 = Mosaic status for 25 years. If I didn't have kids and/or lived on the east coast, I'd probably be going for this!

💺 Biz Class Award Flight Deals to 10+ Destinations

If you're planning to travel to/via the destinations mentioned below, there's a ton of premium cabin award availability right now.

• Tokyo, Japan: First from 80k miles via Japan Airlines.
• Dublin, Ireland: Biz from 45k miles via Aer Lingus.
• Athens, Greece: Biz from 55k points (or economy from 27,000 points) via American Airlines.
• Switzerland: Biz from 60k points via SWISS Air.
• Brussels, Belgium: Biz from 60k points via Brussels Airlines.
• Warsaw, Poland: Biz from 70,000 points via LOT Polish Airlines.

Avianca LifeMiles is also offering up to 40% off award tickets, including business class, to multiple destinations across Canada, Central and South America. You must book by 6/30 and travel before 8/31. Plus, you can now buy lifemiles for 1.27¢ until 7/14.

🏨 Summer Promos: Marriott, IHG & Hyatt

Here are some hotel promos worth leveraging if you have upcoming summer travel plans.

• Marriott Homes & Villas: Earn up to 20,000 bonus points or 5x points per $1 when you book an eligible 2+ night stay before 7/17 and stay by 9/30. Registration required.
• IHG: Save up to 40% at select properties on eligible stays between 6/20 and 9/30. Book by 6/30.
• Grand Hyatt: Earn up to $100 in property credit depending on the length of your stay when you book using the promo code GRANDSTAY.

🚕 Free Uber One for Delta Amex Cardholders

Starting this week, eligible Delta Amex cards get up to $9.99 in monthly statement credits when paying for an auto-renewing Uber One membership. Reserve and Platinum cardholders (personal or business) get 12 months of credits, while Gold cardholders get 6 months.

💵 Up to 17% Back on Travel via TopCashback

Increased cash back rates on travel bookings via TopCashback's "Travel Week Super Cash Back" promo is another way to maximize your savings. Deals include up to 17% cash back at Viator, 15% at IHG, 15.15% at Best Western, 8% back at Expedia, 10.1% at Hertz, and more. There's no expiration date, so take advantage sooner rather than later.

🚗 Hertz Offers: Up to 25% Off + Free Upgrade

Hertz also has a bunch of offers, including discounts of up to 25% on rentals, a free one-class upgrade, and 20% off Jeep rentals. More details on promo codes and expiration dates are here.

🛫 Easy $100 Off Singapore Airlines Flights

Use code MC1000FF and pay with a Mastercard to get $100 off Singapore Airlines roundtrip flights (economy, premium economy, and business class). Book by 7/8 for travel between 8/5 and 3/31/26.

🛏️ 10% Airbnb Credit via HotelTonight

HotelTonight (owned by Airbnb) is offering a 10% cash back in Airbnb credits for all bookings. This is a pretty good deal if you're booking stays that are not eligible for elite night credit and benefits.

🤑 Latest Deals

💰 Up to 2% Bonus for Robinhood Crypto Transfers

Robinhood is offering a limited-time promo where users who deposit crypto (excluding USDC) between 6/24 and 7/7 will receive an instant 1% cash reward. And if Robinhood users collectively deposit $500M+ by 7/7, everyone will receive an additional 1% (2% total).

🛵 DoorDash: 25-50% Off Meals, Groceries & More

The Summer of DashPass promo is offering exclusive deals for members, including free entrees, $10 off $25 at Starbucks, 30% off $30+ at Papa Johns, 35% off at CVS, and more. Plus, a new Family Sharing feature will allow eligible members to extend their benefits to a loved one at no extra cost.

🎂 Free Food On Your Birthday

Here's a list of 300+ birthday freebies, discounts, and coupons offered by restaurants across the U.S. Make sure to save this for your next birthday. Also, check the blog comments for even more offers!

🎁 Latest Gift Card Promos

If you want to learn how to save and profit from gift cards, listen to Ep #212. For now, here are some gift card deals I found this week.

• Giftcards.com: Get a $5 bonus with a $50 purchase or $10 bonus with a $100 purchase when you use the promo code BOGO100 (limit 3, ends 7/3).
• Meijer: Earn up to 7,500 points (7.50 for every $50) with gift card purchases (ends 7/5).
• eBay: Get 10% off, up to $20, on eBay gift cards valued at $100+ (ends 6/30).
• Stater Bros: $10 grocery credit when you buy $50 in gift cards (ends 7/8).
• Kroger: Earn 4x fuel points on 3rd party gift cards (7/8).
• Smart & Final: Get a $10 credit with a $50 gift card purchase (7/8).
• Bilt: Up to 100% bonus, depending on your Bilt status, when you redeem points for gift cards (valid only on 7/1).

🏞️ Free Annual National Park Pass for 4th Graders

If you’ve got a 4th grader, your family qualifies for a free National Parks Annual Pass via the Every Kid Outdoors Program. This offer is valid for homeschooling kids as well and expires on 8/31.

🎟️ Verizon Access Freebies: Amazon, Fandango, TopGolf

Verizon Access is currently offering members freebies, including $5 Amazon gift cards, $25 off Fandango, a $75 promo code for TopGolf, or $5 Verizon credit. Check your account to see if you're targeted.

🕵️ Top Find

🇺🇸 / 🇪🇺 Cultural Differences Between the US and Europe

While I don't like the title of this article, I thought it was a fascinating look at the different lifestyles and cultural norms between the U.S. and Europe. It explores how seemingly small details—like where and how people eat breakfast—reflect much deeper societal values around community, public space, and quality of life.

💬 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!

Chris