💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #78

🧾 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.

📬 USPS Prices Jump April 26: USPS is rolling out a temporary price increase averaging close to 8% tied to transportation costs, hitting services like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage.

If you’re shipping anything bulky or heavy, getting it out before April 26 could save you a noticeable amount.

🥨 Free Auntie Anne’s Pretzel on April 26: You can grab a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar pretzel on National Pretzel Day with no purchase required.

🌸 Free Flowers at Lowe’s May 9: Lowe’s is giving away free flowers to the first 150 Loyalty Rewards customers per store on May 9.

You’ll need to be a MyLowe’s Rewards member first (free to join). This is an in-store, early arrival deal but if you are one of the lucky shoppers you’d be leaving with $5 to $10 freebies which is awesome!

🪧 60% Off Graduation Prints at CVS: CVS is offering up to 60% off yard signs and posters through May 2, which lines up perfectly with graduation season.

As an alternative.. Iif you simply need prints, Walgreens is offering SIX FREE 5x7 prints with code “FASTCARDS” for a limited time.

💰 NEW AMAZON CREDITS: Here are two brand new opportunities to get some cash back while shopping on Amazon this April:

🍝 Olive Garden BOGO Is Back: This popular promo that runs through May is a personal favorite… buy an entrée now and take another home for free.

If you’re feeding two people or planning leftovers, this is one of the better casual dining values right now.

Last week I shared how to check if your state is holding money that belongs to you. A lot of you ran the search and started emailing me what you found. I used MissingMoney.com (NOT sponsored) which is tied directly to state unclaimed property databases.

Here’s where things stand right now:

🥇 Robert S: $3,000+
🥈 Marianne B: $760
🥉 Suzane M: $452

Notable mentions:

Jon C: $200+
Matt G: $170
Gregg F: $150
Brian B: $100 (from 20 years ago)
Cheryl P: $50

If you didn’t check last week, take a minute and do it. Based on what you’re sending me, it’s worth it.

If you've been feeling like your groceries run out faster than they used to, you're not imagining it. Here are 7 brands I’ve noticed quietly shrinking their products while keeping the price the same.

🔍 Pringles: The standard can has dropped from about 150 g to 134 g while still selling for around $5.00 at most retailers. You are getting fewer chips for the same price, which increases the cost per ounce.

🔍 Duncan Hines Cake Mix: Boxes have shrunk from 18 oz down to 15.25 oz while still being priced around $2.00 to $2.50. You now need more boxes to make the same recipe, even though the shelf price looks unchanged.

🔍 Breyers Ice Cream: Tubs have dropped from about 1.66 L to roughly 1.41 L while still selling for $4.50 to $6.50. The packaging looks nearly identical, but you are getting noticeably less ice cream.

🔍 Family Size Cereal (General Mills / Kellogg’s): Boxes that used to be over 22 oz are now commonly closer to 18 oz to 20 oz while still priced between $4.50 and $6.50. The box appears large, but the actual amount of cereal inside has decreased.

🔍 Gatorade: Some bottles have dropped from 32 oz to 28 oz while pricing still sits around $2.00 to $2.50 each or higher in multipacks. This is an easy change to miss unless you check the label closely. From what I’m able to see, warehouse clubs are not affected.

🔍 Charmin / Bounty: Many packs now include fewer sheets per roll while pricing still runs $20 or more for multi-roll packs. The packaging looks the same, but the total usable product has been reduced.

🔍 Oreos: Package weights have gradually decreased over time while prices remain in the $4.00 to $6.00 range. You are getting fewer cookies per pack, especially in larger sizes and my kids actually noticed the smaller packs before I did!

Know a product that got smaller? Reply and tell me. I'll keep updating this list.

Last week, a subscriber asked about how to save money on prescription glasses/frames. I answered the question and then dozens of you chimed in with your own great advice!

Ciel from MD writes: “In regards to one of your readers asking about prescription lenses, I use Goggles4u and sign up for their email campaigns. They will always send you a coupon for more than whatever they advertise on their website if you do (just need to wait a couple days). You need to enter your prescription manually, but the glasses are cheap, reliable, and the only downside is that they take around 2-3 weeks to arrive if you don't pay for priority shipping. This isn't an issue for me as the price point is anywhere from $25-45 per pair of prescription glasses with all the bells and whistles like anti-glare, blue light, etc, so waiting longer is fine.

Brian from FL writes: “Something to go along with Scott's question about prescription glasses, check Goodwill for frames. Just like you can replace lenses in your frames, you can do the same in any frames. I save $80 to $100 when I want new frames by finding designer brands at Goodwill and putting my lenses in them. I find Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada frames regularly.”

Kim writes: “Hey Matt. Someone was asking about a good place to get glasses the other day. A really good place online is ZenniOptical. My niece told me about it years ago and I've used them several times. My last pair were bifocals and the glasses and shipping were about $40 total. I've never had any issues with them and each pair has come in a hard case with a cleaning cloth.”

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)

Report cards are coming home soon and there a lot of restaurants that will give your kids free food for good grades.

🍽️ BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Teachers and schools can sign up for free Pizookie reward certificates to hand out to students for academic achievement.

🍦 Baskin-Robbins: Many locations offer a free scoop of ice cream for a good report card. This is one of the more common rewards that my 1st grader had success with although it varies by town.

🍔 Burger King: Some locations reward good grades with a free hamburger or ice cream cone. This is not a national promotion, but it is still widely offered.

🍗 Chick-fil-A: Some locations offer a free kids meal, nuggets, or dessert for straight A’s or strong report cards. Participation varies by owner, so it is worth asking.

🎮 Chuck E. Cheese: Kids can trade in a completed rewards calendar for free Play Points, which can be used on games and activities.

🍕 Culver’s: Participating locations may offer a free kids meal or frozen custard for students with a B average or better. Some schools also distribute Culver’s reward coupons.

🍩 Krispy Kreme: Many locations offer a free doughnut for each A on a report card, usually with a cap. This remains one of the most consistent and easy rewards.

🍔 McDonald’s: Select locations offer a free Happy Meal or similar item for students with strong grades. This is franchise-based, so availability varies and I’ve read varied success stories online.

🍽️ Melting Pot: Some locations offer a free “Straight A’s Club” fondue meal with qualifying grades, typically with the purchase of an adult entrée.

🍕 Pizza Hut: Through the BOOK IT! program, kids can earn a free Personal Pan Pizza for meeting reading goals, which many schools tie to academic performance.

🍨 Sonic Drive-In: Some locations offer a free slush or small item for A students. Always check ahead, as participation varies and I don’t have a location near me to check.

Did I miss any? Reply to this email and let me know!

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.

💡 Naomi Asks: “Thank you so much for all you do and the research you do! I’m looking into getting a Sam’s club membership. I know it was mentioned that there membership would be increasing and was wondering if there is a best time of year to get one? Thank you again!”

Naomi, your timing is perfect! The best time to join Sam’s Club is when they run their aggressive membership promos, and we’re actually in one of those windows right now. They tend to drop these deals a few times a year, not on a fixed schedule, and once they’re gone, you’re back to full price. Here is a link to a superb promo!

💡Arte Asks: “Thanks for all you do. My wife and I are big fans.
I’m looking for the best deal on a IPhone and Apple Watch charger. Any ideas?”

I’m honored to know that both you and your wife are part of the reason I have a job! I’d love to give you specific reccomendations but since I’m not sure whether you need a night-stand model, something that’s portable with a battery pack or something foldable for travel, I’d look at Anker, Belkin or Mophie. Just ensure products are Apple MFi certified with fast charge support.

💡 Jeanette Asks: “I have 2 questions, if you don't mind. 1. When is the best time to buy supplies for our furry friends? Is there a specific time of year or just do so during Prime days? And, 2. Is there a good time coming up to buy patriotic bunting and other decor? With the 250th anniversary of the US coming up, I would like to decorate the house to show our love for the USA!”

Hi Jeanette! Both are good questions. For pet supplies, the best prices show up during major sale windows like Prime Day, Black Friday, and specific Pet Day events on Amazon or Chewy. Last year, Amazon ran a massive pet event right after Mother’s Day so I’d just under one month from now we might see it return.

For patriotic decor, now through early June is the best time to buy before demand spikes. Warehouse clubs have fantastic kits otherwise Home Depot and Lowe’s are good places to check before prices creep up in June.

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!

💵 “The best prepaid phone plans of 2026” - READ HERE.

💵 “Where to put your money while you’re saving for a house” - READ HERE.

💵 “Older adults share the things they refuse to spend money on” - READ HERE.

One of my favorite aspects of this newsletter is how you all weigh in to help subscribers from prior weeks. If there’s anything I can do to help you with a purchase decision, please let me know! Happy Savings!👋

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)