What I Spend In A Week With 16 Credit Cards

In this video, I’m going over what I spend in a week with 16 credit cards. My weekly spending varies depending on what I’m doing, but this video is a good estimate of how much I spend in a week.
Even though I don't always use all of my 16 credit cards every week, I tracked all of my expenses, what credit cards I used for each expense, and exactly how many credit card points I earned as well. At the end of this video I also did a summary of my variable expenses, fixed expenses, and how many total credit card points I earned from Chase, American Express, Bilt, Citi, and Hyatt.
Hopefully this gives you a useful look into my life and my weekly spending habits!
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The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Daniel Braun is not a financial advisor. This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only, it is not financial advice.
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[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

I appreciate the shoutout man! I'm glad I got to introduce you to some good Texas bbq while you were down here despite the price 😆It's always a pleasure getting to chat with you and I look forward to more videos together to come! This was a really entertaining video btw. I'm a numbers nerd so this was right up my alley. Keep killing it man... 100k right around the corner! 🤞🏼

[@JakeSpradlin2]

Loved seeing the collab of you two in this video!

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

@@JakeSpradlin2 It was an honor!

[@caribdude8151]

​@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial Did you let him try Whataburger while he was down here? Lol

[@SpencerJohnsonOfficial]

@@caribdude8151 Haha we didn't hit Whataburger unfortunately... next time we will!

[@10ahmedhassan]

Love seeing two monsters in the game collaborate , host him next time 😄 and let him save those points for his family

[@ItsMeCJ]

This was a very cool “a week in the life of” video with a credit card spin to it. Very thorough breakdown and this really helps any beginner to see how valuable credit cards can be for any of your regular expenses. There’s no need to spend more than you need to in order to accumulate a good amount of points that can score some pretty decent vacations. 👍🏾

[@JwowSaechao]

Agree 👍 I think a video like this (which no one else has done) is the second most valuable type of videos just behind "common begginer mistakes". As a beginner myself I've watched everyone really nerd out on cards and points but it was hard to grasp what credit cards can do for me even if I won't have as many cards or a lifestyle like his

[@TheCreditFrog]

Really cool to see how your expenses break down here Daniel! It's awesome that you keep expenses low, but you still maximize that spending as best you can across all your credit cards! Also super fun to see what a week in your life is like!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

This is easily the most valuable and informative “what I spend in a week” video using points I’ve ever seen. Well done! 👏🏽

[@ChaseYokoyama]

I wish we could get a nice apartment like that for $2.2k here in Hawaii 😱 I loved this type of video Daniel and seeing more into your personal side of life.

[@DJOctober]

I loved the in detail break down of why you used each card + how many points you're getting! Definitely wanting to get the WoH card after I'm done with my Chase trifecta! Currently I have a CFU and waiting to be under 5/24 to get an Ink Cash followed by a CSP!

[@KevinYang]

Credit cards are just a tool - so so true! It's always great seeing someone else's breakdown and how they make the best use of their credit cards. I'm afraid I'll have to steal this format for a future video sometime! Also, I notice you've edited this video yourself given it's more of a personal video, something I'm about to do too haha!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Definitely a great tool! And yeah you've gotta steal this video, I'd love to see everyone else's spending breakdowns and what credit cards they're using as well! But yeah I felt like this was an easier one for me to edit myself because there was a lot of my b roll and a lot of numbers to work into the videos so it just made sense. Kind of nice to edit a video every now and then, I liked it to be honest haha

[@KevinYang]

@@Daniel_Braun So true on the editing every now and then! Though I'm not looking forward to trying to organize all the clips and make a cohesive video that isn't too confusing haha

[@ian562ADF52E]

Thanks for sharing your allergy. I have multiple deadly allergies and carry around an Auvi-Q. I definitely relate to that "sticking with safe foods" mentality and it was refreshing to hear someone living like this and having options.

[@jlutz57]

Loved the break down. Never thought about paying 6 month premiums to get welcome bonuses! Also small tip, since you’re engaged and have lived with your fiancé… you may be able to get on her insurance plans through a technicality. YMMV based on local laws, but this is what my wife and I did before we got married and I shifted to contract style jobs.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks for watching! Yeah those 6 month insurance premiums have always been a good way of timing new credit card welcome bonuses for me. And thanks for the tip! We actually did talk to her work benefits provider and looked into putting me on her health insurance this year, but it sounds like we weren't able to based on Pennsylvania or something like that. Glad it worked for you though!

[@EthanPatrick_CreditCards]

Loved how you broke this down. A welcome bonus definitely adds a lot to the point total!

[@callmeNeno]

Wow thank you for being transparent; very detail oriented. Interesting how everyone lifestyle & spend is different.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks for watching Neno! Yeah I always liked watching these types of videos so I'm glad I could finally make one like this!

[@juanmeowmix1530]

Great video and glad you enjoyed visiting Texas. Come back and see us again! That's a neat breakdown of the expenses and OMG YOU HAVE A CAT! 🐈

[@Daniel_Braun]

I'll definitely be back down there again, hopefully soon! Would love to explore Austin more as well as Dallas and some other places too. Thanks for watching - and yeah I had to throw in a little clip of the cat there haha

[@colestecyk9957]

You can put your internet ACH payment on your Bilt card! Bilt allows using its sudo bank account feature for “rent and rent related expenses”

[@Daniel_Braun]

I might have to try that next month! Thanks Cole!

[@MannyCovington]

Love the what I spend in a week videos from other creators and love your video just as much!

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Love the inside look at what a typical week looks for you, which Cards you typically use the most and how you value all of the points that you earning! Also love all of the Hyatt redemptions that you've done recently with Chase Points! A super high-value travel redemption partner for sure. Great video here Daniel, super entertaining!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks so much Matt! Yeah sort of a different video but more of a look into my day to day life! Appreciate it as always man 👍

[@CalrosACJ55]

Damn! I would love to hear more about how you’re chasing Hyatt status!! Are you doing a challenge? Maybe Bilt challenge? What hotels have you stayed at? Are you mattress running at all or are these like work trips or are you balling out and traveling?

[@candiceabr]

Such a cool video. I love how you explained which card you chose for each purchase

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks Candice, glad you liked it! Yeah I haven't really seen a "What I Spend In a Week" video with a credit card breakdown so I liked making this

[@jakemercure]

Yoooo, I like the side cam angle thats so sick! Love the breakdown too, really cool to see each transaction

[@Daniel_Braun]

Haha I thought I’d try something a little bit different with that! Hopefully will play around with another camera angle in future videos too. Thanks Jake!

[@CalrosACJ55]

This is my favorite video from ur channel yet!

[@impact7174]

I’ve been looking into other credit cards outside of my Chase Flex and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Great video, love the content and I’ll continue watching your videos for more advice!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Great to hear that you're looking to expand what cards you're using! Thanks so much for watching and glad you're enjoying the content!

[@braydenmiser7752]

I’ve learned so much in just a week from your videos! Never stop posting!!

[@Jeana4life]

Yay you were in my neck of the woods! Welcome to Texas but this was a very eye opening video!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Nice, I loved it in Austin! Hoping to make some more trips to Texas in the future but this was a good trip. Thanks for watching Jeana, glad you liked it! 👍

[@nickmazzio6622]

Great video! Also as someone who grew up with a peanut allergy along with my brother, I completely understand wanting to stick to the same places once you feel comfortable!

[@AmericaRevere]

more videos like this plz!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Making another one like this in the next few weeks!

[@AmericaRevere]

@@Daniel_Braun yayyyyy!!!🥳🥳🥳

[@getsugatenshoFTW]

Cool concept! As someone who''s also 25 and has the same amount of cards... I want to try this out as well.

[@terrancejackson5167]

I love this type of video very detailed, probably time to get off mom and dads iPhone plan tho bud

[@JakeSpradlin2]

Daniel! I think you’re overspending on car insurance. I suggest shopping that around, especially if you’re 26 or older which I believe you are. Great video though! Loved to see the scenes out of the studio

[@Daniel_Braun]

Yeah I agree! I think it’s time to shop around again but I was just too lazy to switch anything up with this last 6 month premium haha. I’m going to look to switch and save in a few months 👍

[@JakeSpradlin2]

@@Daniel_Braun it’s peanuts in the grand scheme of things, but still something. Also, I have a peanut allergy as well! Small world

[@Daniel_Braun]

@@JakeSpradlin2 yeah small world! So many people with these allergies haha

[@sjg6158]

Thanks for sharing Daniel. That was an expensive breakfast and lunch though at the Hyatt. Yikes! :)

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks Scott! Yeah haha it worked well for convenience and saving time but definitely paid a bit of a premium for a few of those meals

[@Dopadroid]

Great video Daniel, one thing I would change is using Lyft instead of Uber. Currently the chase cards are giving 5% back on Lyft rides and you can link your bilt rewards to lyft that's giving 2x back for a total of 7x back

[@Jiggy609]

Pay with the bilt card or the Chase?

[@THRetroGamer700]

Great video, definitely one that I think you should bring back again like at least once a year to see if anything changes

[@lucindabarber4338]

Cool I didn't realize youre from PHL too! Just out of curiosity do you find yourself flying out of EWR or PHL more, I find PHL flights to be way more expensive.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Yeah I'm from the Philly area! I usually fly out of PHL just because it's the most convenient and shortest drive, but EWR has more options so I'm flying out of there occasionally as well. Mostly domestic flights for me out of PHL though

[@sharonfass7716]

More of this sort of content please! It’s super super helpful!

[@jschucke]

Daum dude! I thought I was the only one who went into this amount of detail to maximize points! My family thnks I'm crazy and have a serious spending issue. I charge everything on the card that maximizes points and I pay off balances in full every month. I rarely pay for an airline ticket or hotel. My best redemption so far was $.065 cpp / cpm. It was a last minute AA flight I bought for miles that I got from my Barclays Aadvantage card purchases. Also got a $99 companion certificate for a higher spend. Loved the video and the amount of time to discuss the details. I haven't used the UR transfer to other travel providers. Will definitely explore that next time.

[@Mundus-vult-decipi]

Great video, Daniel! One thing I would suggest is possibly looking into using the Amex spend for sending money to your parents. It allows you to use a credit card.

[@TheKoSweet]

I'm not sure if this is too invasive but do you carry them around or are they in your phone? I'm just trying to see how you manage. I'm nervous about putting mine in my phone.

[@CesarJoel]

Great breakdown, redemptions and video! Keep up the great work!

[@nrg1018]

i currently have 4 credit cards at 19 and an excellent credit score. should i stop getting credit cards or keep accepting my pre-approved offers?

[@paulfairchild8942]

Depends on what benefit they are bringing - welcome bonuses, reward multipliers vs the categories you actually spend in, how easy you can meet the minimum spend requirements etc

[@Andrew20000]

Hey Daniel, Can you do a comparison video on the World of Hyatt Personal card and the Personal Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card?

[@shaunfidler]

Loved this! Really cool look at both your life and spending habits 👏

[@Tracy.Leavitt.007]

Thank you! Great advice! I have watched a lot of your videos and appreciate the information you share. I have 2 Questions: I would love to know if you use a card app to keep track of all your cards. I also would love to hear videos for older people who have had credit cards for several decades, have an excellent credit score already but are just getting started with how to travel with multiple credit card points. We have used AMEX Delta sky miles & Bonvoy Marriott for the past 20 years. We are now branching out and learning that there are other cards out there that can do as much or more. So where do we start when we have a good foundation of excellent credit & lots more income than a 20 year old who is just beginning? Just curious if you can make a video for someone like my husband and I. thx again for all the info you share!

[@jacobzbin7853]

I've just started getting into the CC game this year and I'm absolutely loving it. But I have the same issue with people in my life being judgey! It's crazy how CCs have such a stigma about them.

[@prevaloir5362]

Right, like I'm not losing out on free money because others can't control themselves

[@chags3512]

Lol didn’t spend anything on Thursday? Did I miss something? Or did you eat at home with groceries you bought previously?

[@pit5000]

interesting. how do you split the cost of some of these expenses?

[@ericqpan]

Why is Hyatt the only co-branded card that you have? The only co-branded card I currently have is the American Airlines card, because among the big 4 airlines in the USA. American Airlines is the only 1 that doesn't have direct transfer partners. The only program that transfers to AA is Bilt.

[@augustspills]

Daniel thanks for this information. still waiting for you to apply for venture x. I'm aiming it for x2 everyday purchases and the price match on the hotels which is worth x10, better than amex plat for sure. haha

[@MichaelTravels]

Have you ever considered adding an Amtrak card to your portfolio? They look pretty good! Assuming you travel on Amtrak sometimes.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Unfortunately I don't really travel via Amtrak too much to justify getting any credit card they might have. Could make sense for some people though!

[@ryanrodriguez5293]

Great look into weekly expenses, maybe I should try doing the same since to be honest, I barely look at my expenses in that kind of depth. I am wondering though if dividing your expenses between so many cards is beneficial or not since it would take longer to get up to an amount that is actually redeemable for some of the cards rather than consolidating them all into a single card/reward structure.

[@ab3040]

My brain would break trying to figure this out

[@jacksonmiller8581]

Hey Daniel, quick question, do you use a teleprompter? Asking because I'm making some youtube videos and you speak so flawlessly haha.

[@exiler_gaming8431]

I really enjoyed this video keep up the good work

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad to hear you liked it 👍

[@LK_EBM]

Great breakdown! I did a video similar to this last year, and it's very insightful to see where your money is going! Also, it's cool to see how points were earning with credit cards!

[@suz_secretbase]

Hi! Can we get a video about freezing credit cards? I’ve found nothing about freezing cards and I would like to hear your opinion about it! Especially in comparison with deactivating a credit card!

[@MegaCraptacular]

Hoped you watched the bats coming out of the bridge. Sorry, no points for the bats 😂

[@Daniel_Braun]

Haha I saw a lot of people around the bridge looking at the bats!

[@edwinv5191]

If you are splitting up your points amongst so many credit cards how do you ever gain enough in each individual one to actually use them? Wouldn't using one or 2 of the trifectas be better? Might be a good topic for a video.

[@kikyochan66]

Doesn’t the American Express platinum have yearly allowance for streaming services, why would Hulu/ etc go on a chase card?

[@westfield90]

I’m very similar to you having about 12 cards with over 100k in credit but it becomes very time consuming to stay on top of which cards are offering which benefits since they usually change month to month.

[@paulfairchild8942]

This app is good for that... kzbin.infodKy6w-mQq7Q

[@brettmeyer4595]

When the second camera angle hit 😲

[@chrisv4920]

Hahaha 0:13 how I identify myself with you, same here wife would say “another card🤨🤨???”

[@Miggy2222]

Do you use the entertainment credit on the Amex Plat for something else instead of using it for Hulu?

[@Gummyvisuals]

Do you know roughly how much your card annual fees total comes out to?

[@SoCalAirsoftsociety]

You gotta start doing affiliate marketing for those shirts because those look comfy!

[@larc551]

Curious... aren't you leveraging the amex plat credit for hulu?

[@Daniel_Braun]

I meant to mention that credit! I actually use the full credit every month for my Audible subscription, but since I view that as basically free I never put it in my budget. So I forgot about that for including it in the video!

[@beachboy4]

I you visited Austin and didn't try BBQ I was going to unsubscribe. Cheers to a great trip!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Haha it was a must do thing so I'm glad I got to! Hopefully will be back down in Texas soon to try some more BBQ in other cities as well

[@yohi_-jl3nd]

Great video

[@paulespinoza974]

What I spend: $0.00

[@LK_EBM]

How is this even possible?

[@barnes51]

⁠get a job, car, gym membership then live in parked car and bum for change for food! BOOM!! save everything

[@samsunglg6671]

@@barnes51 car = trailer

[@johnsantiago4810]

Liar

[@Uniacoty]

You live in the wild?

[@spearchucker9431]

Great video!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you liked it 👍

[@coachpanda1073]

For the algorithm brother.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Appreciate you! Always good to get some help with that algorithm so thanks!

[@frankcutronijr]

Do you use Quicken?

[@christophergrace6489]

To be an explorist with Hyatt it mentions have 50,000 base points. If I just transfer 50k points from chase to Hyatt will I be an explorist?

[@paulfairchild8942]

Not sure how business expense justification/eligibility works in the USA but in Canada, I would have put that whole trip as a business expense if the majority of it was business

[@RichardCasey1967]

Do you have a podcast?

[@ShortJoey]

Brodies got an unlimited supply of Henley T shirts lol. Daniel Henley Braun. Btw you said you pay for Hulu out of pocket with the preferred. You can get that credited back to you with the platinum. That’s a rookie mistake.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Just trying to build out my signature look! Lol - I just really like Cuts shirts though

[@axelgonzalez9687]

I just a use a 2% card for everything I’m simple lol my main card is the SoFi credit card

[@thebeddoctor4273]

I spend 2$ a month loading amazon gift cards to keep them all active but only spend whats necessary on certain cards depending on categories

[@chris1234j]

Great great video!!!

[@Daniel_Braun]

Thanks so much Christian! Glad to hear you liked it 👍

[@SpookyIbbless]

You could cut the Hulu seeing as the Amex plat offered the streaming credit!

[@Daniel_Braun]

I would but I actually already use the full credit with an Audible membership. But Hulu would be my next choice to use it for!

[@FrankiePalmer_]

Beat you I have 59 cc's spread across 5 countries, its almost like an addiction hahaha.

[@Daniel_Braun]

Oh wow that's a lot! Haha you've definitely got me beat! I need to get some new cards soon, haven't really opened any this year yet

[@FrankiePalmer_]

@Daniel_Braun Getting new credit cards personally is the equivalent of heroin haha especially if you manage to churn them for all the points/ cashback after the signup bonus. Keep up the awesome vids.

[@nicechew]

no entertainment credit from amex plat? why pay so much for hulu... asking for a friend

[@Daniel_Braun]

I should have mentioned but I actually use the entire credit to cover Audible and forgot about that! It’s basically free to me from the credit so I forget that I even pay it and don’t include it in my budget I used to make this video

[@Creditcardnerd]

You guys don’t do joint on everything? Before my wife and I got married we started joint account when we got engaged.

[@M-1ne]

Isn’t the freedom flex 5% cash back and not 5x points?

[@Daniel_Braun]

If you read the fine prime and check out some of my other videos, you actually earn chase points which can then be converted to cash back. But it’s better to save those points and the redeem for travel using another chase card like the sapphire preferred

[@Mary-bg4kx]

You don't have to be married to be on your partner's health insurance. I'm on my partner's, we just signed some domestic partnership document that was notorized.

[@sodiumchloride8273]

Kinda weird to split the cost of groceries like that but you do you

[@jj-bu6yb]

I did not really get it the airline alliances and how I can save on that

[@Kvs1920]

It’s crazy how easy you can over spend on a weekly basis.

[@MarkS-cd3cw]

Don’t you feel like you always have points all over the place? Wouldn’t it be hard to redeem them. I have the Amex gold and CSP with the Chase unlimited and it seems like chase is a bit more flexible if I want to redeem for cash where Amex is a lot lower. My struggle is the chase unlimited and sapphire preferred have a lot of the same redemption categories that pay the same.

[@paulfairchild8942]

The best redemptions are on business class flights but finding award availability can be difficult

[@RodDannySteart]

Who do you use for health insurance?

[@Daniel_Braun]

I use Independence Blue Cross here in PA

[@fj5144]

We know Jackie's expenses as you make her pay for half of every cost lol my GF takes care of the house and I cover all our expenses- She pays for her car and insurance that's it!

[@coreyw5981]

I can only seem to get about 3,000 pts per month. I guess thats good that im not spending too much but its bad for saving up for travel. And once i finally save up enough for a big trip, im completely wiped out for little trips

[@nanaqwequ2368]

I actually get so surprised when I hear people say they have debts on their credit cards. I have about 10 credit cards, I mainly sign up to them for points which are super helpful. But, my utilization is just around 1% every month. My biggest expense is my rent which I bill to my Biltz card. People need to get hold of their finances.

[@N7-ElusiveOne]

You are surprised people spend more than they have? The entire credit system only exists because some people will over spend.

[@nanaqwequ2368]

@@N7-ElusiveOne 😂

[@lancestevenson9523]

Why do you have both the ink business unlimited and business blue amex? It didn’t seem to provide much benefit for your purchased

[@marlonarancibia3247]

Is it just me or is it kinda strange that they don't just pool their money together and cover the expenses as a couple rather than splitting it amongst each other?

[@Channing_Gosling]

The best card for coffee is actually the Oxygen debit card. It’s $1 off coffee. I think there’s like a $3 minimum purchase or something but I use it anytime I buy coffee. So you could have saved $1 on that $3.91 purchase 😛

[@Daniel_Braun]

Interesting, I'll have to look into that debit card!

[@victorruiz2526]

What are your thoughts on SOFI credit card?

[@Daniel_Braun]

Decent credit card for cash back! Helps when you bank with SoFi (which I do). I still prefer points and miles over cash back though so I don’t plan to get this card anytime soon.

[@PeanutFreeNYC]

We both have the same nut allergies! If you're coming to NYC, I founded a microbusiness selling a map of hundreds of peanut & tree-nut safe places, with comprehensive reviews I wrote. Maybe you'd get some benefit out of it?

[@RtheStory3333]

Peanut and treenut allergy gang represent

[@Daniel_Braun]

Good to know I’m not alone with these allergies! Haha, you know the struggle with food too then

[@SuperT]

Wow we have the exact same car mines also 2018 💀

[@ItsMeCJ]

FIRST!!!! (I’m not but I’m still commenting it 🤷🏾‍♂️)

[@tyreekosborne1731]

What is your profession?

[@Daniel_Braun]

I actually run this KZbin channel and a few things related to this full time now!

[@tyreekosborne1731]

@@Daniel_Braun would you do a video breakdown of how others can do the same?

[@Daniel_Braun]

Yeah I really want to talk more about stuff like this and how to grow a creator business so that’s something I’ll upload in the future as I expand the channel!

[@wedontdrivestock223]

Nice

[@DNOJ]

You tipped a dollar because… bro 😂 What if you went it and didn’t want a coffee but just to be there would you pay them ? How much would you pay ?