💰 The Deal Guy Newsletter Issue #22

What’s included this week:

• 👀 Top 4 Deal Days Still To Come in 2024

• 📈 Simple Ways To Level Up From Middle Class to Upper Class

• 📰 IN THE NEWS

• 💪🏼 An Easy Way To Stay Active On A Budget

• 🏷️ Top 5 Deals of the Week

• 👀 EXCLUSIVE COSTCO DEALS

📈 Simple Ways To Level Up From Middle Class to Upper Class

For this week’s newsletter I wanted to take a deeper look at how both groups handle their money and share some insights that have inspired me to level up my own financial game as we head into the end of the year.

Wealth Accumulation

• Middle Class: Relies primarily on savings, home equity, and retirement accounts. This is a secure and steady way to prepare for the future, but it can sometimes feel like progress is slow.

• Upper Class: Grow their wealth through diverse investments—everything from real estate portfolios to stocks and businesses. Their goal is to make their money work for them in the long term, often with an eye toward generational wealth.

  

Key takeaway:

It’s important to balance savings with investments. You don’t need a lot of money to start investing. Try to budget in small monthly contributions to index funds or ETFs, which can provide stable returns over time with lower risks than individual stocks.

Consumption Patterns

• Middle Class: Prioritize practical spending, but also enjoy the occasional indulgence in travel, dining out, or luxury subscriptions—especially if they’re on sale or through free trials (I can vouch for this from my household's experience!).

• Upper Class: Regularly invests in luxury brands, high-end experiences, and exclusive events, although if I had that amount of money I can safely say I would avoid luxury and designer goods whenever possible.

Key takeaway:

Focus on value and quality over brand name. You don’t need to spend lavishly to enjoy life. Instead, look for deals and discounts that allow you to experience quality without over-extending your budget.

Education

• Middle Class: Focus on public education, affordable universities, and stable employment afterward. Scholarships and financial aid are essential for many families, and while student loans may be part of the equation, they can be seen as a necessary investment.

• Upper Class: Elite private schools and Ivy League universities often play a big role in the upper class's education paths. But beyond education, they also leverage connections and networking to secure high-level opportunities in competitive industries.

Key takeaway:

While education is a great equalizer, it's also important to invest in skill-building, networking, and continuous learning. Seek out affordable ways to expand your knowledge and professional network, such as online courses or local events.

Income Level

• Middle Class: Earns a stable income that covers basic needs, with some left for savings or leisure. This could mean you may rent versus owning although that’s not always the case depending on geographic location.

• Upper Class: Enjoys significantly higher earnings, often derived from investments, business ownership, or high-level professions. The upper class enjoys a greater cushion, allowing them to focus more on growing wealth than covering expenses.

Key takeaway:

Income differences aside, think about how you can create additional income streams, such as starting a side hustle or investing even small amounts. Tools like high-interest savings accounts or retirement accounts can make your earnings work harder for you over time.

📰 IN THE NEWS

Every week in this section of the newsletter, I share some of the most interesting and helpful money-related articles I’ve read over the past week. I hope you find these as valuable as I did!

💵 “Americans love TJ Maxx and here’s why big brands do too”  - READ HERE.

💵 “How Americans spend their money (luxury vs necessity)” - READ HERE.

💵 “6 Ways to make money by only working the weekend” - READ HERE.

💪🏼 An Easy Way To Stay Active On A Budget

(THIS IS NOT SPONSORED)

It’s not easy to stay active or get in shape on a budget these days. Well before those health-related New Year’s resolutions take shape, I wanted to showcase a 100% free app that has impressed me.

FitOn offers a wide range of FREE workouts, including HIIT, yoga, Pilates, strength training, and meditation, making it easy for users to exercise anytime, anywhere.

While there’s a premium option that adds features like meal plans and offline access, the free version I’ve been using provides plenty of content to help users stay active without needing a gym membership. You can learn more by clicking here.

1. 💄 UP TO 50% OFF Fragrances at Macy’s

2. 👨‍🍳 4.5 Quart KitchenAid Mixer FOR $259! ($100 OFF!)

3. 📦 4-Tier Foldable Shelving Unit UNDER $40! ($70 OFF!)

4. 🏃🏼‍♂️ $99 Under Desk Walking Treadmill (Great for colder months - Highly rated!)

5. 🐑 HUGE Ugg Sale at Nordstrom Rack (UP TO 60% OFF!)

**If you buy something through these links I may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more

👀 EXCLUSIVE COSTCO DEALS

Here are 9 NEW online-only Costco deals that you need to know about.

This Halloween Harvest Themed Decorative Pillow is down to $14.97 and is still able to be delivered before Oct 31!

This Gas Powered LG Ultra Large Capacity Dryer is now down to $299.97 on clearance.

At the same price, this Yardistry 3.5' x 2.5' Greenhouse is also on clearance. I actually do not recall ever seeing this stocked at the actual warehouse itself!

This Ladies' Quarter-Zip Pullover is reduced to $7.97

If you’re looking for an excuse to replace all the floor vents in your home, this 4 pack of Floor Registers from the Manor House brand is now under $30!

Remember that dancing Animated Skeleton Tombstone I featured a few months ago? It has now been reduced to $50 from its original hefty $99 price point.

These Men’s Chino Pants from the Banana Republic Brand are reduced to $12.97

This 35” LG Monitor is now under $200 and cheaper than anything you will find over Black Friday for something of this brand name and size.

And finally, if you are looking for a large indoor/outdoor rug for any upcoming holiday gatherings, this 7 Foot x 10 Foot option from the Naples brand is now down to $119.97.

Remember, pricing and availability on any of these items can change at anytime!

🚨 LATEST VIDEO

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this newsletter. If there are any topics you want me to prioritize for next week, please let me know!

Happy Savings!👋

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)