len_mullen

Except Gottadeal T-Shirts.

Even if it were below freezing and there was nothing worth standing in line for, I would stand in line wearing that shirt and no jacket...and post a selfie here. I challenge everyone who gets one to do the same.

Must have!

It's the consumption end of the transaction that would be affected. If consumer confidence plummets, then retailers will need to react to clear inventory. It's an interesting conundrum. If one side wins, consumer confidence could tumble resulting in deals for the rest of us. If the other side wins, inventory could be dumped to avoid tariffs. Either way, I win

I have no predictions for this BF. BF will, in large part, be driven by the presidential election. Who gets in will signal what the next four years will be like for retailers, importers, and consumers. The stock market is lifting a lot of ships right now. The election could sink those ships. I don't worry about those things. I have my shopping list. I have my strike points. I'm not in the market for 'the usual things' -- computers, TVs, and other tech. This year, I'm looking for thoughtful, heartfelt things...though I have no idea what those look like. Just the same, my list does include one or three video cards if the stars align. And I think they will (I guess this is my prediction). For the most part, computers, and especially video cards, are grossly overpriced. Pricing has not kept up with market realities -- like the end of crypto mining -- and has celebrated delusions -- like Windows 11 and AI. I suspect 'back to school' numbers will dampen computer prices and predict I will score three > 4060 cards for less than $500 each.

Great news! from Panasonic Returns To The U.S. TV Market (forbes.com) Wish Pnambic were here to celebrate with us! This is what God was thinking when he gave RCA the rib from radio... Panasonic 65Z95 4K OLED TV Review: Fired Up (forbes.com)

Can I trade the iPad for a Gottadeal t-shirt? Asking for a friend.

Labor Day weekend is when I generally start thinking about Black Friday. This year, I got there early. I have scored a couple BF deals already. I have also compiled a shopping list. Already, I have purchased a desktop, a laptop, and a blu-ray (plus DVD) disc. I'm not shopping for lot, but I expect to crush this BF. I may have already done this.

Just bought a new laptop for an 80 year old woman. It has a 17.3" screen and a backlit keyboard with LARGE letters on the keys. The price was $429.99. Asus Vivobook 17 FHD 17.3" Laptop, Intel Core i5-120U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Item #: 24595131|Model #: F1704VAP-SB52 Features a 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-120U 10-core processor, with up to 5GHz speed and 12MB cache memory 512GB SSD keeps your running programs active while your computer resumes from suspension in seconds Windows 11 Home operating system provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface 8GB memory smoothly runs your games, photo and video editing applications DDR4 SDRAM memory technology for high-performance solution Features a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution for unbelievable pixel-by-pixel image performance Get comfortable with an expansive 17.3" screen that makes streaming, scrolling, and multitasking easy and enjoyable Backlit keyboard lets you play day or night Features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, dual-band, 1 x 1) and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity Meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR 8.0, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Software Solution), REACH, RoHS, and EPEAT Silver standards Offers 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1 x DC-in ports Laptop delivers beautifully clear visuals with the three-sided slim-bezel NanoEdge display Wide viewing angles maintain great quality even for off-center viewing, and the TUV Rheinland eye care certification ensures low blue light levels that reduce the risk of eyestrain during long viewing sessions Audio system delivers an extremely immersive, clear, and balanced sound experience Asus ErgoSense keyboard provides an incredibly satisfying feel, with the optimum key bounce and travel calculated with fine-tuned precision With the built-in fingerprint sensor in the touch pad and Windows Hello, there's no need to type in your password every time: all you need is a single touch Comes in quiet blue Power adapter: 45W AC; output: 19VDC, 2.37A; input: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz universal Features a 720p HD camera with privacy shutter

Black Friday is where you find it... I built a new computer last October. Someone asked me to recycle a computer. I liked the ten bay case and decided to do something with it. I needed to replace a decade old computer and was having difficulty finding a pre-built that met my needs. New computers tend to lack drive bays and SATA connections. I found an eight SATA connector Z690 Pro RS as part of a Newegg bundle that included an Intel Core i7-12700KF, and 16GB (2 x 8GB) of RAM. I added 16GB of matching RAM, a SAMSUNG 870 QVO SATA III SSD 4TB 2.5" Internal Solid State boot drive, 40tb of storage, and an aged video card. It was a very nice computer. But it was incomplete. I needed a modern video card. I liked the RTX 3070, but putting a $600 video card in a $700 computer did not sit well with me. I set up searches on many deal sites for a 16GB RTX 3070. Last week, I got a match to a $650 computer that INCLUDED a 16GB 3070, an Intel Core i7-12700F Processor, 16GB Memory, and a 512GB Solid State Drive. It arrived Saturday -- two days ahead of schedule. The box was plain, brown, undamaged, and with handles. I've never seen anything packed so well in my life. Even the power cord and mouse were protected by bubble wrap. The computer was unblemished and, so far, I have found no indication that this is anything but a brand new computer. A few unexpected treats... 1TB Spinning Disk (Toshiba DT01ACA100 $45 on Amazon) Gaming Mouse Backlit Keyboard Glass Panel for the side of the case The Glass Panel was not a surprise, but that it was an accessory to a computer that had a metal side cover was. There was a manual to facilitate the installation of the glass panel. There was also an app to turn off all the LEDs. I returned to the scene of the crime to see if I had simply failed to notice the unexpected treats (they were not listed) and found the same PC selling for $225 more and still sold out. Smile. The RAM is two 8GB sticks with two open slots. I'll have to go through Bag'O'RAM to see if I can boost the memory to 24 or 32GB. There is also an open drive bay. I haven't played any games yet, but the computer runs cool and quiet. I received an email advising how to get support and warranty service (two-year Square Trade) for the computer. Overall, an excellent purchase. I would not hesitate to buy an Acer refurb in the future. Funny thing is that I like this computer so much that I am still looking for a video card for the computer I built last fall. Happy shopping!

Best Buy has Lenovo Ideapad 1i Laptop (82QD00DHUS) on sale for $249.99. Shipping is free, otherwise select free store pickup where stock permits. Note: Availability for free store pick up may vary by location. Thanks to Community Member PC9394 for sharing this deal. Specs: Intel Core i3-1215U, 6C (2P + 4E) / 8T, P-core 1.2 / 4.4GHz, E-core 0.9 / 3.3GHz, 10MB Processor 15.6" 1920x1080 16:9, 300-nits, 45% NTSC, Anti-glare, On-cell, 10-point Multi-touch, IPS Display 8GB DDR4-3200 Memory (8GB soldered, 1x SO-DIMM Slot) 256GB M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0x4 NVMe Solid State Drive Integrated Intel UHD Graphics Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax 2x2 MU-MIMO + Bluetooth 5.2 720p HD Webcam Windows 11 Home in S mode Ports: 1x USB-A 2.0 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (support data transfer only) 1x HDMI 1.4b 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm) 1x Card reader 42 Whr Battery 14.17 x 9.29 x 0.7" (3.52 lbs) Warranty: 1-Year Manufacturer's Parts & Labor

Prime Days Total Spend $0

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-computer-laptops/inspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop/nn3520grzys

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-15-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-512gb-ssd-carbon-black/6573731.p?skuId=6573731

Well, a two year warrantee mitigates that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165544504451

It takes me two beers to cut the grass. Recalibrate.

YOU are such a parent. I will NOT have a safe 4th! I will have a FUN 4th! The kind of 4th that often overheard my mother mutter to my father, "Go see what that kid's up to."

I cannot cook without knowing the internal temperature of meat. My wife had a couple old school thermometers. They work fine, but are difficult to read when inside an oven or smoker. I picked up a couple inexpensive digital probes. I like them much better, but found them unreliable. Last year I got a Meater+. It's a game changer. With remote access via phone app, I can easily monitor dinner's progress -- even with my aging eyes. I liked the Meater+ enough to get a second, but I didn't. While searching for a deal on the Meater+, I stumbled across the 2 Probe Chef iQ Smart Thermometer and Hub for $79.99, shipped free, on Costco.com. It's $124.99 on Amazon. Reviews are comparable to the Meater+ at a fraction of the cost (if you have a Costco membership). Happy shopping.

Hello June!

Time to do this again. The FDA requires six beans per cup of alcohol to qualify as vanilla extract (anything less is simply flavored alcohol). 750ml is 3.17006463 cups. Multiply that by six beans specifies 19.02038778 beans per 750ml bottle of vodka. So I purchased 20 Organic Madagascar Vanilla Beans Grade B. Certified USDA Organic. 5"-7" for $14.99. The Smirnoff No.21 Premium Vodka 80 Proof (glass bottle) was $13.99. Yield should be about 25 oz with a cost of $1.16/oz. 16 fl oz of McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract is $42.08 ($2.63/oz), so, unless I screw this up, it looks like I'm saving about 55% and it looks like I GottaDeal. Directions could not be simpler... Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise with scissors or a knife. Leave a bit intact at the end if desired. Put the beans in a 750ml bottle of vodka. Screw the cover on and give it a good shake. Place in a cool, dark place. Let sit for at least 2 months. The longer the vanilla sits, the stronger the flavor will be. While it's sitting, give the jar a shake every week, or as often as you can remember.

I have four of the 55" 4K UHD TCL Roku TVs in my home. Two are seven years old and two are four. One failed under warranty. They sent a guy to my home to repair the television. I happen to rely, primarily, on broadcast television. Some things I like about these televisions... The Electronic Program Guide is a traditional grid style guide. The data used to build the guide is pulled out of the RF transmission. You do not need a service or even an internet connection to use this guide. If you plug a 16GB usb stick into the television, you can pause, fast forward, or rewind up to two hours of programming. This is great if you doze off, or stop watching for dinner, or really enjoy wardrobe malfunctions. They are inexpensive. They are Rokus, so Pluto, Sling TV, FreeVee, Plex, Prime, Vudu, Tubi... https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/822836388 https://www.walmart.com/ip/TCL-65-Class-4-Series-4K-UHD-HDR-Smart-Roku-TV-65S451/799842411 Happy Shopping!

If Microsoft made cars... 1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day. 2. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car. 3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart and drive on. 4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine. 5. Only one person at a time could use the car, unless you bought "Car95" or "CarNT." But then you would have to buy more seats. 6. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five per cent of the roads. 7. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single "general car fault" warning light. 8. New seats would force everyone to have the same size butt. 9. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off. 10. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grab hold of the radio antenna. 11. Microsoft would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps (now a Microsoft subsidiary), even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car's performance to diminish by 50% or more. Moreover, Microsoft would become a target for investigation by the Justice Department. 12. Every time Microsoft introduced a new model car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car. 13. You'd press the "start" button to shut off the engine. and it would look something like this...

But not too soon, eh?

I ♥ global warming too!