💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #82

🧾 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.

🎬 Summer Kids Movie Tickets Start at $1: Summer movie deals are returning at major theater chains. Regal has $1 tickets from June 1 through August 13, Cinemark has $1.75 tickets from June 1 through August 6, and AMC has $3 tickets starting June 22.

🖼️ 3 Free Prints at CVS: For a limited time CVS is giving you 3 Free 5×7 Photo Prints with the code “MAY3DAY” when you select in-store pickup.

This coupon won’t last long, so if this is of interest to you, I would act quick!

🛒 New Membership Deal at Sam’s Club: After raising membership prices last year, Sam’s Club is currently running a special promotion where you can score a standard membership for $25 or a plus membership for just $55! (Ends June 14th!)

🪪 Costco App Finally Adds VISA Cards: The digital wallet function on Costco’s app used to only work with their Citi Costco Visa for QR code payments in stores. After the latest app update, you'll now see a new "Add Visa" option that lets you load ANY Visa card.

This means that when you scan your QR code at checkout, it now covers both your membership AND your payment, so no more fumbling between the app and your wallet at the register.

💰 New Amazon Credits: Here are two brand new opportunities to get some cash back while shopping on Amazon this May:

Here are some recent subscriber submitted money-saving tips:

Chris writes: “I don’t think most people think of Costco when they need pet medicine. Our cat was recently discovered with diabetes and the medication he’s on is about $125.00+ a month depending on where you get it. At Costco it’s $68.00. That is such a substantial savings.”

Edward writes: “If you use Amazon Subscribe & Save, try grouping at least 5 items into the same monthly shipment. Hitting that higher tier can noticeably increase the discount on household essentials.”

Maria from AZ writes: “Before checking out at craft or home improvement stores, always check the retailer’s app first. Stores like Michaels, Harbor Freight, and Joann frequently rotate app-only coupons many shoppers miss.”

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)

Macy’s: Macy’s has some of the strongest online mattress deals from the major brands. Many of the offers also include free delivery, financing promotions, and bonus savings on adjustable bases, which can make a huge difference given how expensive mattresses have become in 2026.

AARP: New, renewing, and returning members can enjoy a 5-year membership for just $11 per year through June 4. Many people still don’t realize AARP is open to anyone age 18+, not just seniors. Some of the best perks include travel discounts, restaurant deals, prescription savings, hotel benefits, and free museum admission weekends.

Amazon: For Amazon, you want to be very careful not to buy items now that will be at a lower price for Prime Day. If you shop this specific landing page, you’ll find incredible offers on specific items. I would just be careful with other “deals” beyond this section of their website.

Best Buy: This is one of the strongest available appliance sales right now with aggressive pricing on refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and kitchen packages. They also offer a price match guarantee which can be extremely useful this time of year as competing Memorial Day sales continue changing almost daily.

Home Depot: Home Depot’s Memorial Day sale is packed with aggressive pricing on appliances, grills, patio furniture, mulch, flowers, outdoor power tools, and garden supplies. Some of the best values are tied to patio sets, Weber grills, and appliance package discounts.

Lowe’s: Lowe’s is competing aggressively with Home Depot right now with strong pricing on appliances, patio furniture, grills, lawn equipment, and outdoor décor. The appliance bundle offers and mower discounts are especially good this year.

Walmart: Walmart already has major Memorial Day discounts live on grills, luggage, patio furniture, pool accessories, air conditioners, and outdoor entertaining products. The outdoor category is its strongest, but just beware of too good to be true “deals” from 3rd party sellers.

I’ve already mentioned Prime Day a few times in this newsletter because if you play your cards correctly, this Black Friday-esque shopping occasion in late June could save you a ton of money.

There are two brand new ways to ensure you’re getting the best price and they’re built directly into the Amazon app and website. (this is NOT sponsored!)

Tip 1: In years prior you may remember I would recommend going to CamelCamelCamel to check a products historical pricing to make sure you’re getting the best deal.. well, you can now do this directly on Amazon by tapping the “Price History” button underneath the price of any product, and it will show you the previous prices from the last 3, 6, and 12 months.

Tip 2: For people who like to create “watch lists” of any products you’re hoping will go on sale over Prime Day, Amazon has a brand new feature that allows you set “price alerts” on any product you’re interested in!

To do this, visit an items page, tap the same “Price History” button I mentioned above to pull up Alexa Shopping and typing a prompt like “set a price alert if it drops by 20% or more” it will now automatically send you a notification anytime that item drops in price by at least 20%, so no more manually checking lists on the day.

Do you have any unique ways you save over Prime Day? 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.

Jewel asks: “Hey Matt, Thanks for all you do! I'm looking for a budget friendly self propelled lawn mower (don't have a huge yard). I recently got greenworks from walmart but unfortunately it arrived flawed where the blade was hitting the deck so unuseable and had to return, so now I'm back to square one. Any suggestions for a newbie?”

Hi Jewel! Since you already had a bad experience with Greenworks, I would probably steer you toward Toro, Ego, or Makita which has a top-reviewed model discounted by $200 for Memorial Day at Home Depot. Lowe’s also has a great discount on this Toro model (there is a less expensive model available but it’s not as well rated).

Jon asks: “I have an upcoming 4+ hour trip with my 2-year-old and a tablet seems really tempting to play Mr Rogers and Zoboomafoo as a distraction. Our trip is mid-June. Any deals currently or upcoming to get an iPad for a decent price? I’m curious on if Prime Day will be before we need to leave, but doubting it.”

As a parent, I completely understand the temptation here. We use Amazon Fire Tablets in our household because they are far less expensive and my heart does not stop if my 4-year-old launches one onto an airplane floor. Since Prime Day will occur after your trip, it’s worth entertaining the excellent deals at Best Buy right now on the iPad Air if you aren’t feeling the Fire Tablet (which will see price drops for Memorial Day).

Angela asks: “Hi Matt! So enjoy your work and especially your videos! Thank you. Quick question, is there a best time to buy large, wool, room size rugs? I want to (finally) finish my hubby’s home office and it needs a rug to pull the space together. I appreciate you and your math brain!”

Hi Angela! So nice you’re assisting with finishing your husband’s home office. My wife did the same for me a few years ago. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club can actually be great for rugs year-round if you are flexible on sizing and colors. Otherwise, Memorial Day is one of the best times all year to buy rugs from furniture and home retailers. If you do not find the right fit now, there is usually another strong round of home sales around the Fourth of July.

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!

💵 “10 cheap cars that Consumer Reports recommends” - READ HERE.

💵 “How much a smart thermostat can really save you” - READ HERE.

💵 “Which college majors offer the best return on investment” - READ HERE.

With all the talk of Memorial Day sales and deals, I of course want to make it clear that this occasion is so much more important than any of that. I never lose sight of its meaning despite what it’s become for the retail industry.

I wish you you and your family a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)