cant spend $5k so fast.
a) I see you're not in NY, but there's probably similar opprtunities in Chicago.
ConEd electric - pay $1500 using a card and pay only $3.35
National Grid gas - pay $600 using a card pay $2.25
Other utilities or bills that you can prepay.
Pay ahead for yourself and a friend/family
who will pay you back.
b) Buy Visa GCs. At CVS, Walgreens, etc. you can get a 'variable load' and load $500 on it for $6-9. Look for the one with the cheapest fees. But VISA. (problems with MC. Not all stores take AMEX) Then do your regular spending from these Visas over the next few months.