Deal Secrets #4: The Mystery Box is back! (Sort of)
Rick 'The Cheapskate' Broida
Those of you who know me from CNET may remember the Cheapskate Mystery Box, a fundraising effort I’d envisioned as an annual event. Honestly, I fought tooth and nail to make that happen, but ultimately there were too many obstacles.
Now that I’ve struck out on my own, I want to try again – starting with this: WiBargain sells mystery boxes containing unclaimed mail, Amazon returns, Target returns, and so on. Intriguing, right?
I just ordered one myself, and I’ll do an unboxing and share the results in a future issue. Might be junk, might be treasures, might be something in between.
If you don’t want to wait, here’s a deal you can grab right now: Get 20% off any WiBargain mystery box order when you use promo code DealSecrets at checkout. And here’s the fundraising part: Whatever affiliate revenue that generates for yours truly, I will donate to a non-political, fully vetted U.S. charity.
Your thoughts? (I know there’s no comments section – it’s a newsletter, after all – but you’re welcome to e-mail me!) UPDATE: After hearing a lot of complaints about this company, I can no longer recommend WiBargain. For now, steer clear. ☹
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.
Deal Secrets exclusive: This excellent aluminum laptop stand is just $15.50 with code (save 50%)
This laptop stand is surprisingly sturdy given the price, and it solves a real problem for desk-bound laptop users.
Hunching over your laptop all day is bad for the eyes, neck, shoulders, and, let’s face it, soul. Thankfully, there’s a cheap and easy fix: Vansky’s aluminum adjustable-height laptop stand for $15.50 with promo code GC3H8VFX. It’s normally $31.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much for the price – looks like aluminum, feels like cheap plastic? – but this thing is hefty. It promises to hold laptops as large as 17.3 inches, and I believe it. The hinges are tight; it takes some effort to position the arm and riser, but that’s a good thing. Once they’re set, they don’t move.
Now you’ll need a wireless mouse and keyboard to round out your workstation. Here’s a top-rated Logitech combo on sale for $23, but that’s just one option of many.
Catch water leaks before they do any real damage
In the past I’ve touted Govee’s WiFi Water Sensor as a must-have addition to every household. A couple weeks ago I was reminded why, because this happened right after dinner:
Not only did I hear the sensor’s audible alarm, I got this alert on my phone (because what if I wasn’t home at the time?). The thing is, it was a pretty small leak – the kind you might not notice until some damage had been done.
I also have these sensors positioned next to my hot water heater, my washing machine, and so on – anywhere a leak might happen.
A three-pack would normally run you $53 (and I’d say they’re well worth it), but right now you can get the Govee WiFi Water Sensor kit for $37.09 with promo code GOVEEDS30. (Need more? You can get a five-pack of additional sensors for $46.)
You know the saying about an ounce of prevention? This is that.
Thanks for reading Deal Secrets! Questions? Comments? Hit me up on Twitter or Facebook, or shoot me an e-mail. I’ll do my best to respond to all inquiries!