3 great Father's Day gifts: One for $10, one for $20, one for $40
I'm a dad and I approved these presents.
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Having written this newsletter for nearly four years now and my CNET Cheapskate column for 14 years before that, it’s inevitable that I’m going to repeat myself from time to time — or even frequently.
Those who have faithfully followed along — always with my eternal gratitude — have learned to expect regular recommendations for Bluetooth speakers, tire inflators, TV soundbars, password managers, cashback services, digital photo frames (see below), and a certain John Boyne book.
It’s not so much that I’m bereft of new deals (or secrets) to share, though there’s certainly an element of that — when everything is on sale all the time, nothing really is — but more a case of wanting everyone to enjoy the fruits of these products and services as much as I have. Hence the repetition.
On the flipside, the older I get, the less enamored I am with stuff. Maybe that’s because I’m surrounded by so much of it as part of my job, but sometimes I feel at odds with encouraging consumerism when I’m increasingly turned off by it. Go for a walk, read a book, connect with a friend, listen to a podcast — these things cost nothing but provide value far beyond that of a new gewgaw.
(Exception: I still experience joy every time I look at my fire-breathing Godzilla, which sits beside me in my office.)
What am I driving at here? I don’t know. I started off wanting to apologize for repeating certain deals and then found myself questioning whether we need any of this stuff to begin with.
“Existential crisis on line 2!”
Now I’m worrying that I’ve already written a similar mea-culpa about repetition, in which case this whole missive is, itself, a repeat.
[Yanked offstage by old-timey giant hook]
3 can’t-miss Father’s Day gifts
I miss my dad. He lived a full and happy life, 87 really great years and two crummy ones at the end. Actually, they were crummy mostly for us; he seemed largely at peace, even as his memory evaporated before our eyes.
As a dad myself, I want nothing from my children except time together. I certainly don’t want them spending money on me, not when my cup runneth so very over. But I also get the desire to “do something nice for Dad,” as I always tried to do for mine.
With that in mind, I’ll give you three ideas for inexpensive but absolutely perfect dad-gifts. And, yes, two are repeats. 😜
1️⃣ Digital photo frame: Why should Dad limit his desk to just one or two framed photos when he can enjoy thousands of precious memories in a non-stop slideshow? For a limited time, and while supplies last, the Uhale 10.1-inch Digital Picture Frame drops to just $39.99 when you clip the on-page $10-off coupon. That’s an insanely good price on an insanely good gift.
2️⃣ Portable tire inflator: Also for a limited time, this Modari Tire Inflator is 50% off, plus another 28% when you clip a coupon on the product page (or at checkout). That brings it down to just $19.79, impressive considering the cool magnetic storage compartment it has for its accessories. Not seeing that coupon? Here’s another inflator that’s straight-up $19.99 for Amazon Prime subscribers, no codes required.
3️⃣ Portable folding handheld fan: Perfect for hot days in the yard, workshop or wherever, this 3-in-1 rechargeable fan can be worn around the neck, placed flat on a table, or just held. It has a digital status display and can double as a mobile charger. Grab it for a measly $10.49 when you clip the 30%-off coupon.
PLAYLIST
📺 Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Netflix)
You’ve heard me sing the praises of O’Brien’s podcast and his HBO Max travel series, Conan O’Brien Must Go, so I had high hopes for this awards ceremony.
It did not disappoint.
One comic legend after another took the stage to alternately roast and praise the “giant ginger,” who himself ended the night with an alternately hilarious and heartfelt speech.
There was some pretty profane stuff along the way, so be warned if that’s not your cup of tea. Most of it came from Adam Sandler and Sarah Silverman, comedians I don’t generally care for — but, wow, they had me in stitches. If it’s laughs you’re after, this special is well worth your time.
Rick’s Rating: A+
📹 The Best of YouTube
Thinking about repeats got me thinking about things I absolutely adore but haven’t shared in a long time. Do yourself a favor and check these out:
Pitch Meeting: Ryan George mines a simple idea – a writer pitches a movie to a producer – into comedy gold. He’s done over 400 (!) of these videos, everything from new stuff (Marvel’s Thunderbolts, for example) to modern classics like Home Alone to the occasional TV series. (Remember Tiger King?) Watch a few of these, I guarantee you’ll be hooked.
You Suck at Cooking: This is not your typical cooking channel. For one thing, no one knows who this YouTuber is. You see his hands and hear his voice, but otherwise his identity remains a mystery. Of course, the real fun lies in the deadpan humor, the made-up words (I don’t believe Julia Child ever “wangjangled”), and the bizarre music videos that occasionally pop up mid- or -post-instruction. Oh, yeah: many of the recipes are quite good, and of course there’s a companion cookbook for fans.
Jiminy Glick: Need an endorphin hit? Martin Short, almost unrecognizable as his alter-ego, conducts some of the funniest celebrity interviews, well, ever. He’s been doing this character for decades; watch a recent segment in which he utterly destroys Bill Hader, or go back to a classic with Steve Martin. Either way, you’ll enjoy some laughs.
Thanks for reading Deal Secrets! Questions? Comments? Shoot me an e-mail. I’ll do my best to respond to all inquiries! Want to show your support? Buy me a coffee!
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.