π° My Top Finds, Latest Deals, and Best Recommendations (10/4/25)

This week, we'll cover 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, how to get your fitness memberships reimbursed with HSA/FSA and more!
π Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters
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.
π 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 βLong Angleβ 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 βCotopaxi Nido Accessory Bagβ 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 βpacking cubesβ we have from βTortugaβ.
- 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: βOne Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzoβ
- Last week I took advantage of βthis $1,200 bonusβ for a new U.S. Bank business checking account. There's also a β$200 bonusβ 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 βthe recent statementβ from the American College of Cardiology linking inflammation to cardiovascular disease.
π« Travel, Points & Miles
π 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.
- Chase β IHG One Rewards: β80% bonusβ (10/22)
- Chase β BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus: β30% bonusβ (10/31)
- Hotel Programs β United MileagePlus: β25% bonusβ (10/31)
- Amex β Air France/KLM Flying Blue: β20% bonusβ (10/31)
- Amex β Marriott Bonvoy: β30% bonusβ (11/30)
πΊ 25% Off Flying Blue Award Flights in October
Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue Promo Rewards is offering a β25% discount βon 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 β“secret” award calendarβ if you can’t find space, and that kids 2–12 also get β25% off ticketsβ.
π¨ Hotel Promos: IHG, Hilton, Hyatt & More
If you've got upcoming travel, here are some of the hotel promotions to take advantage of.
- Hilton: βEarn 1,500 bonus points on all staysβ until 12/31. Register βhereβ.
- Hyatt: Earn 500 bonus points per night at select new hotels when you book for eligible stay dates listed βhereβ.
- IHG: Save 15% on award stays at new properties through 12/31. Eligible hotels and deadlines for bookings are listed βhereβ.
- Preferred Hotels: βSave up to 35%β on select hotels when you book before 10/13 with promo code MKTFLASH for stays through 11/14.
π½οΈ Up to 6,000 Marriott Points on Dining
Marriott’s Eat Around Town promo lets you earn βup to 6,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy pointsβ 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.
π± Earn Wyndham Points on Dining + 1K Bonus Points
Similarly, the βDine Out with Wyndham Rewardsβ 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.
π° 5x Categories for Q4: Old Navy, Travel, PayPal & More
In Q4, the Chase Freedom cards earn 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. βRegister hereβ to qualify.
π€ Latest Deals
π 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: β$25 off $250β (12/31)
- Best Western: β$50 off $250β (12/31)
- Discovery+: β$5.99 off $5.99β, up to 3 times (12/31)
- EDITION Hotels: β$300 off $750β (12/31)
- JW Marriott: β$200 off $500β (12/31)
- Peacock Streaming: β$10.99 off $10.99β, up to 2 times (12/26)
- ShopRite: β$10 off $85β (11/13)
- SIXT Car Rentals: β15% off $500β (11/1)
- The Luxury Collection: β$300 off $750β (12/31)
- The Ritz-Carlton: β$300 off $750β (12/31)
- The St. Regis: β$300 off $750β (12/31)
- W Hotels: β$200 off $500β (12/31)
- Viator: β$30 off $300β (10/31)
π $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 βvia Grouponβ and get a coupon for $100 off $200 at Costco.com.
π Free Grubhub+ With Amazon Prime (+ $10 Discount)
βAmazon Prime members now get Grubhub+β 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.
π― Deals at Target This Weekend
Starting today, 10/4, Target Circle members will get β$10 Circle rewards for every $100β spent, up to 5 times. Additionally, starting tomorrow, 10/5, there's an offer for β100% back in Staples rewardsβ on luggage.
ποΈ Free Museum Tickets with Bank of America Cards
Bank of America credit and debit cardholders can enjoy βfree museum admissionβ 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.
π 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: β$10 off $100 gift cardsβ at Publix (today, 10/4)
- Meijer Mperks: β$10 off $150 Mastercard gift cardsβ (10/7)
- Kroger/Harris Teeter: β4x fuel points on select gift cardsβ (10/14)
- Uber: β$85 for a $100 gift cardβ at Best Buy
- InKind: β$40 for a $50 gift cardβ on Amazon
- MastercardGiftCard: β$10 gift card with $200 purchaseβ using promo code BONUS10
π΅οΈ Top Finds
πΊ Show Recommendation: Task
I'm enjoying this new mini-series on HBO Max about an FBI agent leading a task force to investigate crime in Philadelphia.
ππ½ Get Your Fitness Fees Reimbursed with HSA/FSA
A few months ago I shared how you might be able to use βyour HSA/FSA for gym/fitness membershipsβ with a Letter of Medical Necessity. Now, it looks like βDr. Bβ makes it easy to get one via an βonline consultationβ.
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.