ChooseFI
Travel Rewards | End of Year Planning
Podcast

Ep. 104R Travel Rewards | End of Year Planning

End-of-year planning strategies for maximizing travel rewards and credit card optimization before annual resets.

Jonathan Mendonsa, Brad Barrett · · 87,604 plays
1h 1m 5s

Choose FI has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Choose FI and CardRatings may earn compensation from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a ChooseFI advertiser.

Billfixer.com claims they've saved customers over $3 million on monthly bills — but is outsourcing your bill negotiations actually worth the 50% cut they take from your first-year savings? This episode explores bill negotiation services alongside broader financial independence strategies, from reassessing what really matters in life to maximizing travel rewards.

Key Topics

Bill Negotiation Services
The hosts discuss their experience with billfixer.com for negotiating lower rates on recurring bills.

  • Consider using a bill negotiation service to reduce monthly costs.

Financial Mindset and Regrets
Reflecting on personal regrets can clarify values and priorities, leading to more informed financial choices.

  • Reflect on personal values and life goals using past regrets as guidance.
  • "Nobody is at their deathbed thinking, I wish I had bought more stuff."

Growth Mindset
Recognizing that everyone has to start from somewhere helps overcome limiting beliefs about capabilities.

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

Join 25,000+ on the Path to FI

Free access to FI tools, forums, local groups, and 750+ episodes.

No password needed. Free forever.

  • "You have to be bad at something before you can be good at it."
  • "Fear is essential to growth and can motivate you to move towards more meaning and purpose."

Maximizing Travel Rewards
Strategic recommendations on maximizing the Southwest Airlines companion pass.

  • The companion pass allows you to bring a friend for free on all Southwest flights for a year after earning it by accruing 110,000 points.
  • Leverage sign-up bonuses by strategically meeting spending thresholds and utilizing points effectively.
  • "Use your travel rewards points strategically for maximum benefit."

Community Connection
Marla discusses a group trip to Tempe, highlighting how engaging in community and shared experiences enhances the pursuit of financial independence.

Resources

  • Mindset by Carol Dweck

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

FI Calculator

Travel Tools

Podcast

Local Groups

Forums

Book Club

Value Matrix

Debt Payoff

Workout Logger

Events

Join 25,000+ on the Path to FI

Free access to FI tools, forums, local groups, and 750+ episodes.

No password needed. Free forever.

Top Travel Card

Ready to unlock a world of free travel? Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

$95 annual fee | Earn 100,000 bonus points

Best Card for Side Hustlers and Business Owners

Side hustlers! With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card you can earn free travel from your business expenses.

$95 annual fee | Earn 100,000 bonus points

Most Flexible Travel Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can be used to offset almost any travel expense.

$95 annual fee | Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

ChooseFI has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. ChooseFI and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Free FI Planning Tool

Unlock Your Personalized FI Plan

You listen to the podcast — now put the math to work. Track your FI number, savings rate, and progress over time.

FI Number Calculator Progress Tracking Personalized Roadmap

Free forever — no credit card required

Read Transcript
FREE FI CALCULATOR

What's Your FI Number?

Our free calculator shows you in 60 seconds — create a free account to get started.

60-Second Calculator Your Freedom Date Progress Tracking

Free forever — no credit card required

Comments

Your comment will be posted after signing in
Join the Conversation

Create an account or sign in to post a comment.

Username
Email

No password needed. We'll send a verification email.

Email
Password

Find Your FI Number

Calculate how much you need — takes 60 seconds.

Find Your Best Travel Rewards Card

Join ChooseFI

Start your financial independence journey

  • Access to the ChooseFI community
  • Exclusive FI resources and tools
  • Weekly actionable insights
or

No password needed — we'll email you a verification link.

Already have an account?

Don't have an account?

Try searching for

⌘K to open anytime

Your FI Journey

1/3

Step 1 of 3

How familiar are you with Financial Independence?