len_mullen

October-December Discover gives 5% cash back at Target and Amazon.

Been there, done that. I kind of cycle Desktop->iPhone->Laptop->Something I spend eleven months thinking about. To be honest, that eleven months is closer to 47.

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit?

Photo #1: "Len, we really like your brand new Black Friday is Dead T-Shirt. Thanks for not covering it up with a jacket or anything." Photo #2: "The credit card system is down. We need exact change. Anyone got any ones?" Photo #3: "I miss Sears."

Last full-size Kmart store in US set to close in October (nypost.com)

Save the gift cards and the tech. Forget about the swag. Send the survivors a t-shirt and have a contest for the best selfie. Three winners -- one voted on by the survivors (I feel like this is another t-shirt opportunity), one voted on by any members, and the other chosen at random (tradition, right?). I haven't been this excited about Christmas since the Wish Book bit the dust. I remember laying under the Christmas tree, thumbing through the Wish Book under the light of those bubbling ornaments while watching Hogan's Heroes. Good times!

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.