Block out the world with Sony's top-rated noise-canceling XM4 headphones for just $150 (save $200)

They're refurbished, but certified and backed by a 2-year warranty. PLUS: A fire-blanket 4-pack for just $23 (save $18).

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.

Hi, all! If you’re wondering why there was no newsletter last weekend, it’s because I found no deals worth sharing. I don’t want to encourage unnecessary spending, especially right now, so I felt it prudent to wait for something noteworthy.

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SPONSORED

I’m a fan of anything that’s both retro and functional — like this UltraBrite Vintage Edison LED Lamp with Wireless Charging & RGB Lighting. Today only, and while supplies last, it’s on sale at Meh for just $24. Price elsewhere: $63.

Shipping adds $6, but Deal Secrets readers can knock that down by $5 by applying coupon code DSLAMP at checkout. (Click “Got a coupon code?” to do so.)

Available in brass, pewter, or titanium, the lamp features one of those nifty Edison-style LED bulbs, which has not only five brightness settings but also three temperature settings. It can also cycle through various colors for a decidedly modern glow.

Oh, yeah, and the base houses a Qi wireless charging pad for your phone, making this particularly great for your desk or bedside table.

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

🛒 A price-club membership can save you a lot in the long run, especially on bulk items like coffee, toilet paper, and, yep, eggs. For a limited time, you can get a 1-year Sam’s Club membership for just $20 (save $30), an amount you should have no trouble recouping after just a visit or two. (Note that it auto-renews after a year unless you cancel. And this is for new customers only or those who haven’t had a membership in at least six months.)

One thing I especially love about Sam’s Club: The option of scanning items (with your phone) as you put them in your cart, paying as you head for the door, and bypassing the checkout line. This system works remarkably well; I wish Costco would copy it.

(Bonus deal: If you’ve got a BJ’s Wholesale Club in your area, here’s a $20 membership for that as well. And you’ll get a $20 reward after making at least a $60 purchase, meaning the membership is effectively free.)

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🔥 Here’s something every household should have (and hopefully never need): A fire blanket for quickly extinguishing flames before they get out of control. For a limited time, and while supplies last, the Kanhiro Emergency Fire Blanket 4-pack is just $23 when you clip the on-page $3-off coupon. Regular price: $41. It’s not uncommon to see just one of these selling in stores for about the same price; this is like getting three extras free.

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How noise-canceling headphones preserve my sanity and why this Sony XM4 deal is worth a look

I may be transitioning into cranky-old-man territory (who am I kidding, “may”), but these days noise drives me nuts. The noise of airplane engines. The noise of neighbors’ dogs left outside to bark incessantly. The noise of people with their phones blaring in public places. (Far as I’m concerned, that one’s a jail-able offense.)

Let’s not forget, too, the “noise” of world events and other things that create low-level dread and anxiety. For all that and more, I treasure the solace afforded by a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. I relish the escape into the Blues Brothers soundtrack, a Chopin playlist, a Spotify mix made “just for me.” For laughs, it’s hard to beat Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.

So. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Secondipity (via eBay) has the certified-refurbished Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones for $149.99. (That’s for the black color; it’s also available in blue and silver.) Original price: $350. This is the previous-generation version of Sony’s widely praised headphone, but some say it’s actually better than the XM5 (which has a well-documented issue with its hinges).

By the way, “certified refurbished” means, in this case, “like new,” and also “backed by a 2-year warranty” (which is actually double the original warranty). I’ve purchased a few items from Secondipity in the past (they’ve been around a looong time), and they were indeed indistinguishable from new. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Are there even cheaper noise-canceling headphones that are nearly as good? Yes, but I’m always a fan of scoring a huge discount on a premium product. And the XM4s have earned lavish praise from users and reviewers alike. The sanity you save could be your own. The money certainly will be.

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PLAYLIST

🍿 Saturday Night (Netflix): I’ve never been a huge fan of Saturday Night Live. I liked the mid-80s swaths with Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, and Dana Carvey, but that’s about it. I do, however, love origin stories, and Jason Reitman delivers a joyous, frenetic dramedy of the 90 minutes leading up to the very first episode of the long-running series. Did it really go down that way? The interwebs say no, it’s more like a compression of lots of separate events that happened in subsequent years. But did it make for a wholly entertaining watch? The Cheapskate says yes. Rick’s Rating: B+

🍿 A Real Pain (Hulu): There are movies about the Holocaust and there are movies that are Holocaust-adjacent. I’ve seen more than enough of the former; thankfully, this one falls in the latter category. It’s a buddy comedy, a road-trip movie and a character study, with a tight run time (just 90 minutes) and less heaviness than you’d expect. That said, there’s a segment about an hour in that I think everyone should see, because not enough people know what happened back then — and if you don’t think it could happen again, you’re not paying attention. Rick’s Rating: B+

🍿 You Hurt My Feelings (Netflix): I’m a sucker for anything about writers or writing, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss perfectly (and comedically) conveys the insecurity and uncertainty of my chosen profession. This, like A Real Pain, is just a talky slice of life, but one with big, meaty questions about honesty and the ways we support the people we love. We need more smart, simple movies like this. Rick’s Rating: A-

📺 Shogun (Hulu): I’m late to this party; Shogun debuted an entire year ago and won four top Emmy awards (plus 14 creative ones) back in September. It’s easy to see why: The adaptation of James Clavell’s beloved novel is as epic and cinematic as they come, at once fast-paced and meditative; it certainly feels like a realistic depiction of 17th-century Japan. (And it’s “giving Game of Thrones,” as the kids would say.) Just be prepared to pay attention: Most of the 10 episodes are spoken in subtitled Japanese. Rick’s Rating: A-

📖 I Cheerfully Refuse (free on Hoopla): You know those books you wish wouldn’t end? That’s how I felt about Leif Enger’s this-could-be-our-future (but-I-hope-not) novel, which is utterly predictable in some ways and gut-wrench surprising in others. I highlighted so many beautiful phrases and insights along the way; I guess it’s why I wanted it to keep going. As always, I recommend avoiding the summary (which betrays a major plot point) and just diving right in. Bonus for my fellow Michiganders: Most of the action takes place in and around Lake Superior. 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.