💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #50

Plus, Fall Travel Hacks, August Don't Buys + Clearance Items!

Author

Matt Granite
August 04, 2025

My favorite travel hacks, deep discounts at top retailers, and some key purchases I’d completely avoid for just a few weeks longer!

🧾 INSIDE THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

  • 🏷️ Top 5 Deals of the Week - P&G Products, Lip Masks + More!

  • 🚨 NEW Shopping Info You NEED To Know - Free Credits & Senior Savings

  • 🏷️ What NOT to Buy in August: 7 lesser known items to avoid!

  • 📰 IN THE NEWS - Latest money-saving headlines

  • ✍🏼 SHARE YOUR SAVINGS! - Viewer Submitted Frugal Tips

  • ✈️ FLIGHT, HOTEL & CAR RENTAL HACKS! - How I’m saving on Fall Travel

  • 🛒 WAREHOUSE DEALS! - Costco & Sam's Club Clearance!

**These deals could end or sell out at ANY time. If you buy something through any of the links featured in this newsletter I may get a small share of the sale.

🚨 NEW Shopping Info You NEED To Know!

Walgreens Seniors Day: If you’re 55+, tomorrow (Tuesday) is 20% off regular-priced items for MyWalgreens members. Use code “SENIOR20” online until Aug. 9.

Home Depot Summer Clearance Sale: Similar to what you’ll see on Labor Day but with better stock, Patio sets from $36, grills are $99, and select Dewalt tools are BOGO. 

Ohio Extends Tax Holiday: The duration was just doubled running now through August 14. Qualifying items under $500 are tax-free both online and in-store. Clothing, school supplies, even certain electronics qualify.

Amazon $15 Credit: Spend $50 on eligible items and get a $15 credit for your next purchase. I found many items we regularly buy already on the list! There is also a $20 credit if you spend $75 on select baby products.

10 Free Prints at CVS: Today only CVS is giving you 10 Free 4×6 Photo Prints with the code “10FREEP”.

This coupon does have a redemption limit, so if this is of interest to you, I would act quick!

✍🏼 SHARE YOUR SAVINGS!

Here are some recent subscriber submitted money-saving tips:

Alan from California: “If you buy something at Costco only to see that it has gone on sale the following week, take your receipt to customer service and they will credit you the difference.” 

Dayna: “You can return ebooks on Amazon if it was an accidental purchase. I have done this several times in the past few years.

Waci from Los Angeles, CA: “I just found out that my city public library allows us to check out power tools, musical instruments, sewing machines, auto repair tools, crafting etc! I can't believe it. I have not tried this yet as I have just found out but what a great free resource!”

Reply to this email and share it with me! If I feature your tip, I’ll give you a shoutout in next week’s newsletter!

(Include your first name + the state you live in so I can add it to the shoutout)

❌ Do NOT Buy These Things in August

👕 Fall Clothing: Sweaters and boots are full price now. Wait for September or October discounts.

🛋️ Indoor Furniture: Labor Day and fall clearance sales can save you 20% to 40%. I would hold off if you can.

🛏️ Mattresses & Appliances: The biggest deals hit around Labor Day.

📱 New Smartphones: Apple’s new models launch in September, and current prices drop right after.

🎮 Gaming Consoles: August bundles are weak. November is when the gift card promos and bundles roll in.

🍂 Seasonal Décor: Fall and Halloween items are full price now. Wait a few weeks for BOGOs and 30–50% markdowns.

🚗 Cars: August isn’t deal season. The real discounts hit late fall and December.

📰 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!

💵 “Five things boomers should never buy in retirement”  - READ HERE.

💵 “Watch out for this major package scam” - READ HERE.

💵 “What Delta’s AI pricing really means for your next trip” - READ HERE.

✈️ How To Save Money on Travel This Fall

Airlines are shaking things up and not in a good way. Delta’s new AI fares change prices in real time, and American is making one-way tickets cost more than round-trips. With these new changes, here’s how I stay sane and save.

💺 Flights: I always compare one-way vs. round-trip. Sometimes booking a round-trip and ditching the return is cheaper. I always aim for midweek flights and book 6 to 8 weeks out.

🏨 Hotels: Rates usually dip late September and October when the summer rush is over. This “in-between” stretch is when I grab deals. I book refundable rates and recheck before my trip to catch price drops.

🚗 Car Rentals: Neighborhood pickups can save 20–30% over airports. I always join the free loyalty programs for upgrades. Plus, if you’ve got a Costco membership, their travel site has some of the lowest car rental rates anywhere and includes a free extra driver.

Planning a little ahead is the easiest way to outsmart these new airline pricing games and keep fall trips affordable.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. If there is anything you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter, reply to this email and let me know!

Happy Savings!👋

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)

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