💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #59

🧾 INSIDE THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

**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.

🧥 Huge Coat Clearance: The retailer 6pm.com just moved dozens of Columbia jackets into clearance with prices up to 78% off.

I’d grab one now while sizing is still solid since these disappear fast once colder weather hits.

🎲 McDonald’s Monopoly Game: If you haven’t heard already the highly popular peel and win game is back at McDonald’s until November 2nd. Something a lot of people aren’t aware of however is that you can actually play the game online for free with no purchase required! (up to 5 times per day).

The prizes range from free food to cash and since there’s really nothing to loose, you can count me in. The McDonald’s app is required to redeem prizes, see their official FAQ here.

🍔 Free Meals at TGI Fridays: Through October 23, TGI Fridays is serving one free meal per day to TSA and air traffic control employees.

I love this gesture for workers who are doing their best to keep travelers safe during the shutdown.

🎃 Kids Halloween Costumes UNDER $7: Walmart has a huge selection of kids costumes at $6.97 each, from superheroes to princesses and some impressive licensed character finds.

Amazon also has some fantastic discounts although many of their 40% off deals are closer to the $14 mark.

🎄 Potential Shortage of Holiday Decor this year: Stores are warning of limited stock for trees, wreaths, and lights this year.

My advice is shop early if you want the best selection before prices climb, and if you already have what you need, think ahead to next year as crazy as that sounds.

❌ Gaming Consoles and Accessories: Retailers bundle consoles with games and gift cards in November. Waiting a few weeks can score you extras for free.

❌ New Smartphones: If you’re eyeing the latest release, Black Friday brings carrier bonuses and store rebates that aren’t available yet. Even Apple has a Black Friday sale!

❌ Tool Sets and Hardware: Tool sales peak in November and December when gifting season begins. I would hold off until the holiday promotions start to pop up.

❌ New Vehicles: Dealers clear out current models near the end of the year. Buying now usually means paying more before the next round of incentives. Snow tire packages on the other hand, are a great buy this month!

❌ Musical Instruments: The best time to buy is closer to the holidays when stores push year-end clearance and bundle promotions.

❌ High End Camera Gear: Photography retailers offer their biggest savings in November and Cyber Monday. You’ll get better pricing and bundled gear.

Here are some recent subscriber submitted money-saving tips:

Robert in Arizona writes: “I keep an old credit card in my glove box just for gas stations and drive-thrus. That way if a skimmer ever hits, it’s not tied to my main card. Plus, I can track exactly what I spend on fuel each month.”

Kelly K. from Austin, TX: “just wanted to let you know of a deal I just saw at Sam’s club yesterday on a Japanese Maple Tree Lego building kit I’ve had my eye on for a while now. On Amazon it is $60 but at my Sam’s club in Austin, Texas it is $30.79! It used to be a good deal at $49 but I still hesitated to get it. When I saw yesterday they marked down the price to almost half off the Amazon price I quickly put it in my cart, I was so excited. I notice you mentioned Amazon has a lot of LEGO deals right now and thought I’d mention this one.”

Kirsten B. writes: “If you see something that you THINK you want at Five Below, BUY IT! Save your receipt in case you change your mind, but I’ve learned stores don’t always get the same things again and I’ve missed out on stuff by waiting “until next time”.”

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)

To get your question answered, simply respond to this email with any money-saving related question and feel free to include your first name so I can address you properly.

💡 Jerry F in Oak Island NC Asks: “When is the best time to purchase a high end big screen (75” or bigger) tv?”

Jerry, you just asked what will be one of my most popular questions by the time November hits. The two weeks that precede Black Friday are the best for high-end big screen TV deals and Best Buy and Costco always takes the lead in terms of discounts. You’ll notice on Black Friday itself, the selections shift to lower-end and entry level TV’s.

💡 Brian in Orlando, FL Writes: “I'm looking to finally get dashcams for our vehicles and was wondering when the best time to buy is?”

Hi Brian! Thank you to you and your wife for being a part of my YouTube and newsletter life. Your support means a lot to me. In terms of dashcams, the deals are best throughout November. I’d keep an eye on a brand called Vantrue on Amazon as they are frequently discounted, with all sorts of features and models and the best I’ve tested.

💡 Julia and Seth Write: Thank you for all that you do - you've certainly helped my Fiancee and I save some cash leading up to our wedding day early next year! But, I was wondering, are there any "Buy it for life" products that you'd recommend to newlyweds-to-be? Thank you for your thoughts in advance!

Congratulations! Your question actually inspired my article below about the brands that can last you a lifetime but in terms of products here are my favorites:

- Cast Iron Fire Pit for outdoor nights or gatherings. A cast iron fire pit doesn’t crack or rust like cheaper ones. It’s built to become part of your family traditions.

- Solid Wood Dining Table. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just real wood. A well-made table can last through decades of meals, family gatherings, and life moments together.

- Quality Cook’s Knives (Wüsthof or Victorinox) A few good knives will change how you cook! Plus they last for decades with proper sharpening and care.

Something my grandparents always told me was that sometimes paying slightly more for a premium brands means you’ll get longer performance or better customer service. As we approach the gift-giving season, here are the best reviewed ones in terms of consumer reports, reviewed and rankings.

Carhartt has been making workwear since 1889 that can handle years of tough use. Their jackets and pants are durable, comfortable, and get better with age.

Craftsman tools have been trusted in American garages for nearly a century. Their lifetime replacement promise and solid construction make them a buy-once choice.

Napoleon Grills: This line of barbecues, smokers and grills is not only one of the most reliable in terms of performance but the warranties are incredible and backed by reliable customer service. We had a firebox that warped after 5 years and it was replaced within a week with no questions asked.

Bosch Appliances: While I can’t speak personally for power tools, their appliances and dishwashers are continously praised and ranked as some of the best. Despite being a German company, countless appliances are made in the USA.

Lodge has made cast iron cookware in Tennessee since 1896. A Lodge skillet can easily outlive its owner and still cook like new for the next generation.

John Deere equipment is famous for its reliability. From tractors to mowers, these machines keep running with basic maintenance and hold their value for years.

L.L.Bean continues to make outdoor gear that holds up to real life. Their Bean Boots and backpacks can last 20 years or more without missing a beat.

Kirkland Signature might surprise some people on this list, but it deserves a spot. Costco’s in-house brand is consistently high quality and often made by the same manufacturers behind name brands. Kirkland items often outperform products that cost twice as much. It’s one of the few store brands I recommend without hesitation.

Do you agree with everything on this list? Or have a brand you personally believe makes “Buy It For Life” products? Reply to this email and let me know!

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!

💵 “Baby boomers still love their department stores. Here’s what they know that Gen Zers don’t” - READ HERE.

💵 “Sam’s Club adjust stores hours” - READ HERE.

💵 “Amazon launches grocery brand with products under $5” - READ HERE.

It’s been really exciting to read all of your feedback and see the growing number of questions which I’ll do my very best to keep answering! 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)