Allergies driving you crazy? This air purifier should help you breathe easier, and it's 27% off

PLUS: Watch a free Broadway show, live, in the comfort of your own living room.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included herein are affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of them, I may get a small commission. I promise you, now and forever, that I won’t choose deals based on whether there’s an affiliate option available.

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SPONSORED

Real estate on your desk is precious; you might not have room for a fan, a wireless phone charger, and a ring-light for those Zoom calls. You do now: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Meh has the Veho 3-in-1 Desktop Fan with Ring Light and Wireless Charger — 2-pack! — for $29.99.

Here’s where it gets weird (and inexplicable): Staples sells these individually for $92.49. Um, what?

Honestly, $15 apiece seems about right. Just take note that there’s no AC adapter included; you’ll need a place to plug in the fan’s USB-C cord.

Shipping adds $6, but that’s mostly offset with this exclusive coupon code: DSFAN. Apply that at checkout (click “Got a coupon code?”) to take $5 off your order.

This comes courtesy of Meh, a company I’ve worked with for years and wholeheartedly recommend. (Plus I’ve always loved the tongue-in-cheek name and hilarious product write-ups.)

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QUICK HITS

🚗 FREE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: I knew about 911, of course, and 411, but today I learned about 511, also known as Freeway Assist. Apparently, if you’re stranded on a highway (flat tire, out of gas, etc.), you can dial 511 to get help — at no cost. Not all states offer this program, but it’s worth trying if you’re ever stuck (and don’t already have AAA or something similar).

🎭 SEE A BROADWAY SHOW FOR FREE: Mark your calendars! On Saturday, June 7, CNN will air the live Broadway performance of Good Night, and Good Luck, starring George Clooney. This is a first; apparently no Broadway show has ever been broadcast live before. The play is based on the eponymous 2005 movie, which Clooney co-wrote and starred in. It’s about McCarthyism and freedom of the press — maybe a little more eat-your-vegetables than straight-up entertainment, but I’ll definitely be watching.

👷‍♂️ A mini chainsaw is great for cutting up branches and other small-ish things; I used one recently after a storm brought down some tree limbs. Super-handy. This Dehan 6-inch Mini Cordless Chainsaw drops to just $26.49 when you clip the 10%-off coupon and then apply promo code CJ2VHO9G at checkout. Reg. price: $56.

It comes with two rechargeable batteries, three chains, safety gloves, safety goggles, a storage case and more. Pretty amazing deal at this price, and potentially a great Father’s Day gift for Dad!

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SECRET OF THE WEEK

Which refurbished products are safe to buy, and which ones should you avoid?

Products that have been purchased and returned — for whatever the reason — can no longer be sold as new. That’s where “refurbished” comes from, and the accompanying discounts can be significant.

However, while some refurbished goods are definitely worth your time, some should be avoided. Here’s a cheat-sheet based on my experiences, with the caveat that you should buy refurbished only when there’s at least a 90-day warranty included.

Things I would buy refurbished:

• Anything from Apple’s Certified Refurbished store

• Bluetooth speakers

• Over-the-ear headphones

• Desktop PCs (and laptops, provided they’ve been equipped with a new battery)

Things I would not buy refurbished:

• Phones or tablets (unless they come directly from the manufacturer)

• TVs

• Printers

• Hard drives or other storage devices

Pro tip: Your best options often come from the manufacturers themselves, because they’ll likely have the best warranty and customer service in the event of a problem. Thus, check out the refurb/outlet stores from not only Apple, but also Amazon, Best Buy, Bose, Dell, Microsoft, Sonos, and so on.

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Bad air? This smart purifier should help you breathe easier, and it’s on sale for $105 (save 27%)

Pets, pollen, dust, smog, forest fires — there are countless threats to our indoor air quality. This time of year in particular, allergens can make life especially miserable. Although I’ve long questioned the effectiveness of air purifiers, there seems to be ample anecdotal evidence they work.

And here’s your chance to get a deal on one I’ve tested: For a limited time, and while supplies last, the top-rated Membrane Solutions MSA3S Smart Air Purifier drops to $90 when you click Redeem before adding it to your cart. (Or you can apply promo code 88A968IE manually at checkout.) It’s normally $143.

This thing is lousy with useful features, including a 3-in-1 HEPA H13 filter, three fan speeds, a sleep timer, an air-quality indictor, a filter-status meter, and so on. All the controls are clearly marked (how refreshing!) and easily accessible on the top of the unit. There’s also a companion app so you can monitor and control it from your phone and set scheduled runtimes.

The purifier’s fan is a little loud at the highest speed setting, but at low speed it’s very quiet — and perfect for people who like nighttime white noise in the bedroom.

One thing to consider with any air purifier is the cost of replacement filters. Although Membrane Solutions sells their own, there are third-party alternatives available; here’s an example of a 2-pack for $29.

The MSA3S has a 4.5-star average rating from over 10,000 buyers, so chances are good you’ll be happy with it.

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PLAYLIST

🎧 Criminal (Podcast)

I enjoy true-crime stories as much as the next sociopath, but my tastes lean toward whimsical, amusing crimes over bloody, corpse-laden ones. That’s why I’m a fan of Criminal, a podcast about “people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.”

They’re mostly standalone stories, so just read the descriptions and pick one that sounds interesting. I think a great place to start is the most recent episode, No Hint or Help, which recounts the infamous quiz-show scandal of the 1950s. If you don’t already know the story, it’s a great one. But even if you’ve seen the movie it inspired, Quiz Show, it’s still a fun listen.

Rick’s Rating: A-

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There's also my book: Everything I Need to Know, I Learned Playing Pickleball. And check out my curated book list at Bookshop.org, which donates to local bookstores with every purchase.