💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #92

🧾 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.

⛽ Save $1 per Gallon just by downloading an app: New Chevron Texaco Rewards members can save $1 per gallon on their next 5 qualifying fill-ups when they join and download the Chevron app by September 30.

You’ll have 90 days to use the discounts, with a maximum of 25 gallons per fill-up.

🛒 New Walmart Codes for $10 OFF: Before your next Walmart pickup or delivery order, try placing SAVE3X, FAST30 or DOUBLE10 in the promo code drop down.

Each code can potentially take $10 off a $35+ order, but eligibility varies by account and location. Note: the codes only work for pick-up or delivery orders.

🎓 College Students Can Get DoorDash DashPass Free for a Year: I’m usually cautious with delivery apps because the fees can wipe out the convenience, but free changes the equation.

Eligible U.S. and Canadian college students who aren’t currently subscribed can get Student DashPass free for 12 months when they verify their student status by October 12. It automatically converts to $5/month afterward unless you cancel.

💰 NEW AMAZON SAVINGS: Amazon has a few worthwhile promos running right now. As always, I’d only use these if you were already planning to buy the qualifying products.

🎃 Save 20% at Spirit Halloween (Today Only - September 7th): Halloween can be a very expensive holiday if you have kids and celebrate.. so if you already know what costume or Halloween decorations you need, this is a good time to code TAKE20 to save 20% on one qualifying item today.

Online shoppers can also try DELIVER40 for free shipping on orders of $40+ (through the end of today).

Here are some recent subscriber submitted money-saving tips:

Michelle from OH writes: “Hi Matt! Long time reader and watcher of you... Even back to the WKYC in Cleveland Days. I wanted to respond to your note about central vac systems.  While I agree with you about the install costs and I also struggled with carrying the vacuum up and down stairs, I wanted to me to an important point.  Central vacs clean like no vacuum does.  I pick up so, so so so so... Much more using my central vac than I did using my Dysons, Kirby, Hoovers.. You name it. It really has superior suction. I even have a "vroom" in my kitchen that quickly cleans up crumbs after ever meal with animals and young kids.  It is supreme with pet hair and helps our allergy issues.  Just wanted to offer the other side of the coin. As info we had the piping added after we moved in. Still worth the cost of install if you ask me.” 

Rachel from CT writes: (in response to the “Discount Bins” article I wrote in our last newsletter): ”Omg Matt! I went to Staples to get passport photos taken today and in the waaay back of the store where the office desks and chairs usually are, were huge bins! I'm not sure why or how long it will last or if it's just a local thing (Middletown, CT), but I didn't see anything on the Staples website. But I was very excited to finally see a liquidation bin thing near me after hearing about it on your channel and Do It On A Dime. This one stocked on Friday and 2$ deals or less by Thursday. Very strange items too lol.”

Jenn writes: “I’ve actually visited the Bin/Amazon return stores before and have become pretty familiar with the process. If anyone is interested in going my best advice would be get there early before store opens. Another tip -Have your phone ready preferably use the Amazon app where the search button is located there is a camera- use it to take a picture of the box info and that will tell you what’s inside and if it’s worth it. Many of these Bin store do not allow you to open boxes, so this is a great way to know what’s inside- or you can use the google lens to help find what the box has inside as well.”

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)

Amazon scams have become more convincing than I ever recall. I know may people who have taken the bait and others in my own family who have come close. Fake delivery problems, Prime renewal notices and account warnings can look almost identical to the real thing, so Amazon just launched a new tool that I think is actually useful.

Any Amazon customer can now use the built-in Alexa for Shopping on Amazon.com or in the Amazon app to check suspicious messages.

I received a scam text and put the service to the test and received the following response: “I checked our records and this text was not sent by Amazon. This is likely a phishing or scam attempt.”

You can also tell Alexa when you received it, who sent it and what it said. You’ll get an answer in seconds telling you if it came from Amazon, did not come from Amazon, or could not be verified.

Alternatively, you can now skip Alexa and forward a suspicious email to [email protected].

My rule remains the same: if a message is asking you to click something, pay something or panic about your account, verify it first.

🧊 Major Appliances: Refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers are among the big-ticket home categories getting Labor Day markdowns with prices almost identical to Black Friday.

🪑 Patio Furniture: Retailers want bulky summer inventory gone, with some outdoor furniture discounts reaching 60% or more.

🔥 Grills & Smokers: Weber, Traeger and other grills are being marked down as grilling season winds down.

🔧 Power Tools: Home Depot is running strong tool and battery bundle deals, including BOGO offers. While they are better for Black Friday, if you have a fall project planned, now is a good time.

🌿 Lawn Equipment: Trimmers, blowers and other outdoor equipment start getting discounted as retailers shift toward fall.

🧹 Vacuums: Shark, robot vacuums and other popular cleaning products are seeing worthwhile Labor Day markdowns.

🛋️ Furniture: Sofas, beds and other larger home purchases are heavily promoted over Labor Day weekend.

🛌 Bedding: Sheets, pillows and comforters are seeing widespread discounts alongside mattress sales are the strongest of the year.

👟 Summer Clothing & Shoes: Stores need warm-weather apparel gone to make room for fall merchandise, so clearance pricing can be especially good now.

🧊 Coolers & Outdoor Gear: Retailers are discounting summer gear they otherwise have to carry into next year.

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.

Grace R asks: “Please recommend a 'Ring' style door camera that does not require a subscription. Thank you.”

Hi Grace! My pick is the Eufy Video Doorbell E340 which is currently on sale! It works with a rechargeable battery or existing doorbell wiring and provides two cameras, 2K video, package detection, two-way talk and 8GB of built-in storage. You can view your recordings without paying a monthly fee, and you do not need to purchase a separate HomeBase.

Stacy from MT asks: “Thank you for all the research you do. You say skip small kitchen appliances for Labor Day holiday; is this the right time to save on a chest freezer? I know you have answered this before, but I don't remember. You did say October for savings on major appliances trend at Costco. Is early Fall a better time across the board, instead of Labor Day?”

Stacy, you take excellent notes 🙂 Yes, this is a good time to purchase a chest freezer. Chest freezers are currently on sale at Home Depot, Lowe’s and the warehouse clubs, with sale prices generally within 10% of what I expect to see on Black Friday. If you find the size you need and you can benefit from owning it now, I would get it.

October can bring additional Costco appliance promotions, but it is not automatically better across the board so Labor Day gets my vote in general.

Allyson asks: “Hey Matt-Long time listener, first time caller. Love your videos. Our ice maker in our fridge gave out and we compensated with a (cheap) countertop one. It's lasted almost 2 years but I can hear the motor in it going and we're looking to replace it because we host church gatherings every week. We're considering the GE Opal 2.0, Brio (at costco), etc. but would love your thoughts on the best one for easy filling, highest/fastest output, and large storage vs the price. And will there be any good labor day deals or should we wait for Black Friday at this point?”

Allyson, thank you for your long-term support! For your needs, I would choose the Brio 740i at Costco. It produces up to 44 pounds of nugget ice daily, has a large 2.66-liter refillable tank and costs considerably less than the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra, which produces up to 38 pounds daily. The Opal is the more established machine, but I do not think its performance justifies paying more than twice as much for weekly gatherings. Costco will likely have the Brio reduced by $50 in the next couple of months.

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!

💵 “How to save money on gas this Labor Day” - READ HERE.

💵 “Cash is no longer king in home sales” - READ HERE.

💵 “Why Gen Zers fake their finances on dates” - READ HERE.

I hope your Labor Day is relaxing, filled with family and friends and that any deal you’ve been hoping for makes its way to you. If it doesn’t.. I’ll be back with a new round-up next week and more huge YouTube roundups as we lead into the holiday season.

Happy Savings!👋

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)