Podcast covering the full spectrum of churning, travel hacking, and leanFIRE.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/5/3/1/d16125b5-e262-4617-b613-4bacbd4d055d_ep_24_-_april_recap_-_descript_-_v3.mp3

Another big month packed with bank churns (and fails), along with more crypto, bonds, and brokerages. Plus cellphones, mealkits, cashback, and lots of free food.<ul><li>(0:56) - Banks (Monifi, Astra, Wells Fargo, Chase, Fairwinds, Service CU, OnJuno, SoFi, Albert, Chime, Current)</li><li>(27:07) - Crypto, bonds, brokerages (I-Bonds, FTX, Voyager, Gemini, TradeStation, Public, Stockpile)</li><li>(41:08) - Cellphones (Visible)</li><li>(42:21) - Cashback, mealkits, free food (Vital farms, Smirnoff, Venture X, Ibotto, Rakuten)</li><li>(52:15) - Final tally ($2,400 + all the free foods 😋)</li></ul>

Another big month packed with bank churns (and fails), more crypto, bonds, and brokerages. Plus cellphones, mealkits, cashback, and lots of free food.

Ep 24 - April Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/4/21/21/3cfd157c-89ca-4f40-a2ca-da48394a3919_ep_23_-_ana_-_descript_v2.mp3

Step-by-step guide to using AMEX points to secure one of the best value premium cabins, plus booking tips &amp; tricks gathered from 50+ hours of research, phone calls, and experimentation. Brace yourselves, this one goes DEEP 🤓<ul><li>(0:00) - Why ANA?</li><li>(4:52) - ANA booking basics</li><li>(10:58) - Advanced techniques</li><li>(20:43) - Other quirks with ANA</li><li>(32:39) - Booking example #1 (simple)</li><li>(42:41) - Booking example #2 (complex)</li></ul>

Step-by-step guide to using AMEX points to secure one of the best value premium cabins, plus booking tips & tricks gathered from 50+ hours of research, phone calls, and experimentation.

Ep 23 - ANA First & Business

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/4/4/4/03dc3918-8fa9-4e7c-a110-d367656cf3be_ep_22_-_march_recap_-_descript.mp3

Another busy month churning banks, treasury bonds, credit cards, mealkits and cellphones, plus updates on some MS opportunities and high-yield stablecoins.<ul><li>(0:54) - Banks (PSECU, Current, Fairwinds, HMB)</li><li>(5:13) - Gifting treasury bonds</li><li>(9:48) - Crypto stablecoins (Voyager USDC, Gemini GUSD)</li><li>(16:58) - Brokerages (Feb MS, Stockpile)</li><li>(21:27) - Credit cards (CIU, Venture X)</li><li>(27:31) - Cellphones (Costco, Visible)</li><li>(31:49) - Misc (Cigna, mealkits, Rakuten, Dell)</li><li>(39:47) - Final tally ($1,245 + $3,300 cashback)</li></ul>

Another busy month churning banks, treasury bonds, credit cards, mealkits and cellphones, plus updates on some MS opportunities and high-yield stablecoins.

Ep 22 - March Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/3/7/4/9749d4b1-3778-40b4-9f61-1efd6743142f_ep_21_-_february_recap_-_descript_v2.mp3

Massive month in February with lots of new bank accounts, some interesting brokerage opportunities, crypto, easy MS, mealkits, cellphones, and cashback.<ul><li>(2:52) - Banks (PSECU, Affinity, First Tech, Fairwinds, Monifi, Albert, Current, Chime, Huntington)</li><li>(25:13) - Bank tally (16 new accounts)</li><li>(28:40) - Brokerages (Titan, TradeStation)</li><li>(41:15) - Crypto (high-yield stablecoins, gemini, USDC)</li><li>(44:47) - Credit cards (Venture X, Hyatt Biz)</li><li>(45:55) - Mealkits (Daily Harvest, Freshly)</li><li>(49:23) - Cashback (Rakuten, BeFrugal)</li><li>(51:08) - Cellphones (Visible BYOD)</li><li>(55:31) - Final tally ($812)</li></ul>

Massive month in February with lots of new bank accounts, some interesting brokerage opportunities, crypto, easy MS, mealkits, cellphones, and cashback.

Ep 21 - February Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/2/21/1/039cd761-f64e-4629-be71-39e189838911_bonus_-_interview_-_descript_-_combined.mp3

Bonus episode of an interview I did recently on another show, Risk of Ruin. I talk about leaving the work world behind in favor of early retirement, how churning fits into leanFIRE, my time in Japanese jail and our homesteading plans.<ul><li>(0:00) - Intro</li><li>(3:27) - Risk of Ruin</li></ul> Risk of Ruin podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-game-like-aspect/id1527018692?i=1000551075974" rel="nofollow">apple</a> &amp; <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ee8IJVEOvVCYVvXXTfCGR?si=8769ca6c020c48ae" rel="nofollow">spotify</a>.

Bonus episode of an interview I did recently on another show, Risk of Ruin. I talk about leaving the work world behind in favor of early retirement, how churning fits into leanFIRE, my time in Japanese jail and our homesteading plans.

Bonus - Risk of Ruin Interview

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/2/7/1/d5ab5abc-ba84-43d4-9597-f2f0eebf099f_ep_19_-_january_recap_-_descript.mp3

Season 2 - Detailed breakdown of January 2022 churns across credit cards, banks, brokerages, cell phones, and misc categories.<ul><li>(1:15) - Credit cards (Southwest, Venture X, mealkits)</li><li>(12:48) - Banks (Kabbage, FNBO, HMBradley, I-Bonds)</li><li>(21:29) - Brokerages (Nadex)</li><li>(23:17) - Cell phones (Visible)</li><li>(24:15) - Misc (Cigna)</li><li>(26:40) - Final tally ($1,085)</li></ul>

Season 2 - Detailed breakdown of January 2022 churns across credit cards, banks, brokerages, cell phones, and misc categories.

Ep 19 - January Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2022/1/4/5/0b94688a-22f1-4af7-8a1a-d3cb12a5ff6c_episode_18_-_2021_recap_-_descript_-_v3.mp3

Season finale! Detailed breakdown of December churns along with a final year-end tally for 2021, plus a bonus recap on how the podcast is doing and some lessons learned making the show.<ul><li>(1:13) - Cell phones (iPhone 13, Boost, Visible)</li><li>(8:36) - Bank updates (Chase Biz, HMBradley, I-Bonds, Lili)</li><li>(18:37) - Credit cards (SW Performance, Hyatt Biz)</li><li>(23:02) - Westin Kona mini-review (Marriott travel cert, Amex offers)</li><li>(28:47) - Brokerages (Nadex)</li><li>(29:06) - December tally ($647)</li><li>(29:36) - 2021 tally ($10,497 + 150K Amex + 125K UR)</li><li>(32:04) - Bonus: podcast recap</li></ul>

Season finale! Detailed breakdown of December churns along with a final year-end tally for 2021, plus a bonus recap on how the podcast's doing and some lessons learned making the show.

Ep 18 - End of Year Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/12/20/7/b6c8425f-400d-4b42-ab0c-e4ccbf1b0da5_pisode_17_-_churning_cell_phones_-_descript_v2.mp3

In-depth walkthrough of the various iPhone deals available from Costco, Best Buy, and Visible, as well as strategies for reselling on Swappa.<ul><li>(1:11) - Costco $300 BYOD offer</li><li>(1:44) - T-Mobile $20 Talk &amp; Text only plan</li><li>(3:17) - Costco $720 BOGO iPhones</li><li>(5:59) - iPhone Pro Max selling above retail</li><li>(8:07) - Best Buy&#39;s crazy iPhone trade-in values</li><li>(12:30) - Caution re: Flex Reseller policy</li><li>(15:11) - Unlock trick using prepaid ATT sim</li><li>(17:03) - Requesting unlocks from TForce</li><li>(18:37) - Mistakes I made on the BB deal</li><li>(22:10) - Swappa rundown</li><li>(24:49) - BFMR address formatting ideas</li><li>(27:09) - Visible offer extended</li><li>(29:10) - $1 Boost mobile SIM cards</li></ul>

In-depth walkthrough of the various iPhone deals available from Costco, Best Buy, and Visible, as well as strategies for reselling on Swappa.

Ep 17 - Churning iPhones

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/12/6/1/4bfd5b05-656e-4ba8-829a-cd55adc17cde_episode_16_-_november_recap_-_descript.mp3

Detailed breakdown of November churns across banks, brokerages, credit cards, cell phones, and cashback sites.<ul><li>(0:37) - Banks (Chase Bus, Lili, Treasury Bonds)</li><li>(6:38) - Brokerages (Charles Schwab, Nadex)</li><li>(8:44) - Credit cards (SW Premier)</li><li>(10:53) - Cell phones (BB, Costco, Visible)</li><li>(14:45) - Cashback (BeFrugal, Rakuten)</li><li>(18:52) - Final tally ($2,012)</li></ul>

Detailed breakdown of November churns across banks, brokerages, credit cards, cell phones, and cashback sites.

Ep 16 - November Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/20/17/6b122b33-e6b9-4687-80d0-27d677617d37_episode_15_-_churning_spreadsheet_-_descript.mp3

Brief walkthrough (and free download) of a Google Sheet template for tracking credit card churns, plus some tips for managing the &#34;back office&#34; work.<ul><li>(2:13) - Google Sheet template + sample data</li><li>(3:48) - Status and Due Date columns</li><li>(5:13) - Use a reminder app (eg. Google Keep)</li><li>(7:35) - Autopay and Bonus columns</li><li>(8:53) - Notes column</li><li>(9:58) - Bank bonus and LeanFIRE sheets</li></ul>

Brief walkthrough (and free download) of a Google Sheet template for tracking credit card churns, plus some tips for managing the "back office" work.

Ep 15 - Credit Card Tracking Sheet

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/8/2/c5a79371-f542-46da-9e0d-62ec7ba3dab8_episode_14_-_october_recap_-_descript.mp3

Detailed breakdown of October churns across credit cards, bank bonuses, brokerages, and cell phones (plus a bonus Ventana review).<ul><li>(1:59) - Credit cards (Amex BP, SW Performance &amp; Premier)</li><li>(3:19) - Some thoughts on BGs</li><li>(8:46) - Chase &amp; holiday season</li><li>(11:46) - Banks (Key, PNC, Discover)</li><li>(14:13) - Brokerages (Nadex)</li><li>(16:03) - Cell phones (Best Buy T-Mobile)</li><li>(19:49) - T-Mobile workarounds</li><li>(26:14) - Final Tally ($1,980)</li><li>(27:51) - Ventana Big Sur (aka churner mecca)</li></ul>

Detailed breakdown of October churns across credit cards, bank bonuses, brokerages, and cell phones (plus a bonus Ventana review).

Ep 14 - October Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/10/18/3/ed0e821d-dc26-4893-81d2-4bf23c47de22_episode_13_-_churning_sim_cards_-_descript.mp3

In-depth guide to churning Visible and other MVNOs to qualify for discounted phones and super discounted (even free) monthly plans.

In-depth guide to churning Visible and other MVNOs to qualify for discounted phones and super discounted (even free) monthly plans.

Ep 13 - Churning SIM Cards

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/10/4/2/a02eebfa-f844-40c5-90ad-83526193683b_episode_12_-_september_recap_-_descript_-_v3.mp3

Detailed breakdown of September churning efforts across bank bonuses, brokerages, credit cards and misc categories.

Detailed breakdown of September churning efforts across bank bonuses, brokerages, credit cards and misc categories.

Ep 12 - September Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/20/4/9578112c-a18e-44b1-9dea-e769a6233c2f_episode_11_-_national_-_descript_-_v3.mp3

Tips and tricks for maximizing National&#39;s amazing Executive status for free upgrades and discounted rentals.

Tips and tricks for maximizing National's amazing Executive status for free upgrades and discounted rentals.

Ep 11 - National Car Rental

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/6/4/08efa3cf-96bc-4a21-9eaf-f587ce360eff_isode_10_-_southwest_companion_pass_-_descript.mp3

After 8 years and $25K+ of free flights, some thoughts and tips on securing companion pass for 2022/23.

After 8 years and $25K+ of free flights, some thoughts and tips on securing companion pass for 2022/23.

Ep 10 - Southwest Companion Pass

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/30/5/53aa64f1-2527-4d1e-82eb-f1f93295d132_episode_9_-_august_recap_-_descript.mp3

Detailed breakdown of August churning efforts across credit cards, bank bonuses, brokerages and misc categories.

Detailed breakdown of August churning efforts across credit cards, bank bonuses, brokerages and misc categories.

Ep 9 - August Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/23/5/996db6ed-84b0-4e3f-a3df-27b025413a1e_episode_8_-_hyatt_-_descript_-_v2.mp3

After a decade of earning and churning Hyatt status, an in-depth look at maximizing this incredible loyalty program.

After a decade of earning and churning Hyatt status, an in-depth look at maximizing this incredible loyalty program.

Ep 8 - Hyatt Globalist

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/16/4/1c86d35b-071a-45e5-afa4-05fe8cf6885a_episode_7_-_churning_fire_-_descript_-_v3.mp3

Special episode on churning strategies that can help attain and sustain FIRE (financial independence / retire early).

Special episode on churning strategies that can help attain and sustain FIRE (financial independence / retire early).

Ep 7 - Churning FIRE

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/9/3/893327d5-2302-47a9-ae87-69d93173008e_episode_6_-_ibkr_-_descript_-_v2.mp3

In-depth walkthrough of Interactive Brokers $1K stock + $200 cash bonus offer, plus tips for transferring assets over.

In-depth walkthrough of Interactive Brokers $1K stock + $200 cash bonus offer, plus tips for transferring assets over.

Ep 6 - Interactive Brokers

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/2/2/fe2b649c-294e-467e-bf59-8fbd3dbb82a1_episode_5_-_july_review_-_descript_-_v2.mp3

Detailed breakdown of the past month&#39;s churning efforts across credit cards, bank bonuses and brokerages.

Detailed breakdown of the past month's churning efforts across credit cards, bank bonuses and brokerages.

Ep 5 - July Recap

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/7/25/23/99b6fbda-97b6-41a7-941a-153bf88ca248_episode_4_-_swagbucks_-_descript_-_shorter.mp3

Is Swagbucks worth your time? Some thoughts and tips on how to approach Swagbucks without losing your mind.

Is Swagbucks worth your time? Some thoughts and tips on how to approach Swagbucks without losing your mind.

Ep 4 - Swagbucks

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/7/21/22/ed67d852-8727-4906-b413-00e6965614ab_1086354151-thedailychurn-ep-3.mp3

An amazing tool for bank bonuses, this dives deep into the payroll setup and tax implications of using Square &amp; Gusto.

An amazing tool for bank bonuses, this dives deep into the payroll setup and tax implications of using Square & Gusto.

Ep 3 - Square & Gusto

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/7/21/22/406f9b0c-b6e7-4a52-b4d5-068af6ea478e_1082811052-thedailychurn-ep-2.mp3

After 100+ meals delivered across HelloFresh, Sunbasket, GreenChef and HomeChef, some tips and lessons learned.