All Episodes

September 6, 2025 β€’ 48 mins
Matthew Yglesias Misses the Point: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards with Minimal 'Mental Load' In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses how to make money, save money, and travel with minimal cost using credit card points, miles, benefits, and loyalty programs. The discussion centers on writer Matthew Yglesias's recent tweet criticizing the 'mental load' of optimizing credit card reward categories. Justin and guest Darren explain why optimizing credit card rewards is simpler than it seems and emphasize that signup bonuses offer higher returns than everyday spending categories. They share practical tips for managing rewards efficiently, including using organizational tools, creative spending methods, and focusing on higher-yield signup bonuses. They also announce upcoming travel and points meetups and events where listeners can learn more about maximizing rewards. 00:00 Introduction to Low-Cost Travel with Points and Miles 00:46 Responding to Matthew Yglesias' Tweet 03:37 Understanding the 'Mental Load' of Optimizing Credit Card Rewards 06:17 Strategies for Managing Credit Card Bonus Categories 14:13 The Importance of Signup Bonuses 20:41 Choosing the Right Cards for Everyday Spending 22:39 Maximizing Credit Card Rewards for Everyday Spending 24:20 Upcoming Events and Announcements 26:13 The Power of Signup Bonuses 27:22 Creative Spending Strategies 39:14 Recent and Upcoming Travels 44:59 Community Engagement and Final Thoughts πŸŽ™οΈ πŸ“’ Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: πŸ‘‰ SoundCloud β†’ https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast πŸ‘‰ Apple Podcasts / iTunes β†’ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 πŸ‘‰ Spotify β†’ https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg πŸ‘‰ TuneIn β†’ https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/ πŸ‘‰ iHeartRadio β†’ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ πŸ‘‰ Podbean β†’ https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/vvdph-a3425/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast πŸ‘‰ Pocket Casts β†’ https://pocketcasts.com/podcasts/1a722d50-2d0a-0138-96d6-0acc26574db2?_prerender=true πŸ‘‰ Podchaser β†’ https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-1153719 πŸ‘‰ Podcast Addict β†’ https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/3497422 πŸ‘‰ Castbox β†’ https://castbox.fm/channel/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-id4351553?country=us πŸ‘‰ …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧 πŸ“‘ Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss β€” πŸ’œ Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: πŸ‘‰ Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar β†’ https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel πŸ‘‰ Support me through helpful referral links on my site. πŸ‘‰ Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships β†’ https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features. Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 β€” 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you πŸŽ™οΈπŸ’¬ ✨ Bonus content 🎁 β€” 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: πŸ”” Subscribe on YouTube β†’ https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast πŸ‘ Like on Facebook β†’ https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X β†’ https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl πŸ“Έ Follow on Instagram β†’ https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ β€” ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. πŸš€πŸŒπŸ’³
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted β€” click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customersβ€”who have become friendsβ€”to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. β€œFoods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso CuarΓ³n, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Β© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.