💰The Deal Guy Newsletter - Issue #97

🧾 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.

🍽️ Free $40 of Uber Eats for Prime Members: Through November 18, Prime members can now save $20 on each of their first two qualifying Uber Eats orders through Amazon. (taxes, other fees and tips still apply)

Prime members also now get $0 delivery fees on qualifying Uber Eats orders of $25 or more placed through Amazon.

🧰 Home Depot’s Black Friday Sale Is Live! The sale runs until November 25th and while I’ll have a full video and list of top picks coming this week

As a small sneak peak.. some of my favorites this year are this 6.5 Foot Pre-Fit Christmas tree for $49.98, this three-step stool for $19.88, this 52 Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit that has returned at $29.88 and of course the full range of BOGO tool deals that only come around over the holiday season.

💇 Free Haircuts for Veterans at Great Clips: On November 11th, veterans and active military members can get a free haircut at U.S. Great Clips salons or collect a free haircut card to use by December 4th.

Speaking of Veterans Day Discounts.. Target is also running a 20% Military Discount on qualifying purchases until November 11th for verified military members, veterans and their families.

⛽ Save 20¢ Per Gallon until January! Amazon Prime members can now save a total of 20¢ per gallon on one fill-up every Friday through January 29, 2027, at participating BP, Amoco, AMPM and Thorntons stations.

Simply link your Prime account to a free earnify account, then enter your phone number at the pump or use the earnify app to claim your discount.

📦 New Amazon Credits: I found several lessen known Amazon promotional credit offers worth checking out this week, particularly if you're planning to stock up on snacks, beverages or household essentials for the holiday season!

Note: It is important check each offer’s eligible products and terms before ordering.

After doing this for decades, I can tell you the tricks retailers use don’t really change.. they just get a fresh coat of paint. Here are a few things to watch for before you hand over your money this month:

🏷️ The Sticker Trick: A $99 item marked down from $199 looks less exciting if it usually sells for $109. Tools like CamelCamelCamel and the price history tools built-in to Google and Amazon often tell you a much more revealing story than the percentage printed on the sign. (And of course I’m always here to help as well!)

🧰 The Bundle Bluff: An “eight piece kit” doesn’t necessarily contain eight tools. Batteries, chargers and bags can contribute to that count, so compare the actual tools and battery capacities before paying a higher price for a bunch of unnecessary extras.

💵 The Store Cash Mirage: Those “spend $100, get $30 back” promotions can sound like a great deal.. but that $30 usually comes with an expiration date and requires another purchase. I’d only consider it a true saving if you were already planning to shop at the same store within the expected cut off time.

🚚 The Free Shipping Upsell: We've all seen that message saying you're just $18 away from free shipping.. but if shipping only costs $6, you're better off just paying that rather than adding something you didn't ever need to your cart to begin with.

📺 The Holiday Lookalike: Just because that Black Friday TV deal has the same brand and screen size as a more expensive model.. doesn’t mean you’re getting the same TV. Some are made with fewer features to hit a lower price point, so it is best to always compare the exact model numbers before buying.

🔁 The Subscription Boomerang: Some of those Black Friday subscription deals look fantastic.. until the promotional price ends and you're suddenly paying full price. It is always worth checking what price it renews at after the promotion and set a reminder to remind you to cancel before that first higher payment kicks in.

🕵️ The Copycat Storefront: This one is more of a scam.. but just because a social media ad has a familiar retailer's logo doesn't mean it's actually coming from them. If a deal looks suspiciously good, I'd go directly to the retailer's website or app to see if it's legitimate before making your purchase.

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

Here are some recent subscriber submitted money-saving tips:

Mary Ann writes: “For the person asking about 3D printers, check your local library before investing! Many libraries have creative spaces with 3D printers, laser cutters, long-arm quilting machines and more available at little or no cost. Check your library’s website for equipment, material fees and any required classes.”

Kyle from NE writes: “Before driving to the post office with an online return, check the label. If it’s an eligible prepaid USPS return, you can schedule a free pickup during your regular mail delivery. It saves a trip, especially when the nearest drop-off isn’t nearby.”

Avery from NY writes: “Hi Matt. I thought of something to share with all the appliance deals you’ll soon be flagging. Before replacing an appliance because of a broken shelf, bin or microwave tray, search the manufacturer’s parts website using the exact model number. You may be able to replace just that piece. Check the shipping charge, too, before deciding whether it’s worthwhile.”

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)

If you're shopping for Christmas gifts early this year.. you’ll want to make sure the return window doesn't close before they're opened. Here are the key deadlines to keep in mind: (*all January dates are in 2027)

📦 Amazon: Most items purchased November 1st - December 31st can be returned through January 31st. Apple-branded products have an earlier January 15th deadline.

🎯 Target: For purchases November 1st - December 24th, most electronics and entertainment items are returnable through January 24th. Apple, Beats and eligible mobile phones have a January 8 deadline. Most other Target merchandise keeps its standard 90-day window.

🛒 Walmart: Most purchases made October 1st - December 31st are returnable through January 31st. Exceptions include phones, major appliances and Dyson products; Marketplace seller participation varies.

💻 Best Buy: Most purchases made October 30th - December 31st can be returned through January 15th. Activate-able devices, holiday décor and certain other purchases are excluded; applicable restocking fees still apply.

🛍️ Kohl’s: Eligible merchandise purchased October 4th - December 30th is returnable through January 31, including premium electronics and watches. Sephora at Kohl’s has a separate qualifying purchase window of October 30th - December 30th.

🎁 Macy’s: Most purchases made October 5th - December 31st can be returned through January 31. Last Act is final sale, while items sold by Dyson and Mac Duggal retain their 30-day limits.

🏬 Costco and Sam’s Club: Their everyday satisfaction guarantees already give most merchandise no fixed return deadline. Many electronics and major appliances have 90-day limits, while Sam’s Club cell phones have just 14 days.

👗 Nordstrom: Eligible purchases have no set return deadline, with free returns handled case by case. Nordstrom Rack and Marketplace purchases follow different policies.

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.

Jay Asks: “When is the best time to buy a rolling toolbox?”

Hi! Right now is when I’d shop and one of my favorite deals is live this week at Home Depot: this DEWALT TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 24-inch rolling toolbox at for $89.98, down from $125. It has eight-inch wheels, a telescoping handle and a removable organizing tray. I’d be comfortable buying that one now with other larger options on sale now through Black Friday.

Pam Asks: “Hi Matt - I will be checking sales for Apple Watch 12. When do you usually see the best prices, Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Thanks.”

Hi Pam! Black Friday is my pick, and I’d watch Best Buy more closely than the Apple store itself for the Series 12. Start checking during Thanksgiving week; I wouldn’t pass up a strong price on your preferred size and color just to wait for Cyber Monday.

Armella asks: “Hello Matt, My cordless handheld vacuum is on it's last legs. I need help finally a new one that is cordless with powerful suction but doesn't cost $500 or more! Also, when is the best time to buy one for a great deal? Thank you very kindly,”

You have great timing Armella! I’d look at the Shark PowerPro Flex Pet Plus IZ388H cordless stick vacuum at its advertised $230 sale price, a $150 saving against its $380 list price. It adjusts brushroll speed between carpets and hard floors, has HEPA filtration and a wand that bends under furniture, and converts to a handheld for stairs and upholstery. It folds in on itself and we have a similar model that’s been running strong for 5+ years.


‼️ BONUS TIP.. for the MANY wonderful people who asked questions about major appliances: Now through Thanksgiving is a perfectly great time to start stocking up. All the big deals are live at Home Depot and Lowes.

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!

💵 “IRS announces 2027 income tax brackets: what’s changing” - READ HERE.

💵 “The cheapest ‘miles’ routes for Thanksgiving travel.” - READ HERE.

💵 “Amazon adds over 100 Alexa features” - READ HERE.

In just two weeks, almost every major Black Friday store sale will be live. I’ll be monitoring every big deal with around-the-clock coverage on my YouTube channel. I’m so excited!

Happy Savings!👋

The Deal Guy (Matt Granite)