Normally I’m not a big fan of Amazon’s Black Friday deals … because they usually aren’t.  I was just looking to replace a mascara that’s almost to the “just add water or spit” point and saw a ton of BF deals, including half price for my MILK mascara.  So yeah, I grabbed two.  I honor the idea behind the We Ain’t Buying It protest this weekend, but only up to where it meets a half-price sale.  I’m linking to the main Beauty & Personal Care page – hope you find your favorites for less, too!

In clear-eyed prose, Carl Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space. Featuring full-color illustrations, Cosmos retraces the fourteen billion years of cosmic evolution that have transformed matter into consciousness, exploring such topics as the origin of life, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, spacecraft missions, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies, and the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science.  Get it today for only $1.99.

Need more Sagan?  Future generations will look back on our epoch as the time when the human race finally broke into a radically new frontier—space. In Pale Blue Dot, Sagan traces the spellbinding history of our launch into the cosmos and assesses the future that looms before us as we move out into our own solar system and on to distant galaxies beyond.  This sequel to Cosmos is $4.99 today as a Kindle download.

Lots more on the Sagan page.

Whether you’re a ramen fiend or just love to cook with such a versatile noodle, or have a student heading off to college in a few weeks, Amazon has lots of cheap choices today.  I bought a couple of these years ago and, at that time, paid a really good price, but now you can get them for so much less!  Yeah, the sodium is through the roof, but you don’t need to use even a fraction of the seasoning packet – use your own imagination.  A range of cheap flavors are listed, too, although I’ve just linked to the Roast Chicken flavor.  Most have 15% discounts when you sign up for Subscribe & Save, another nice benefit.

If you’re the kind who prefers cup-style, here’s a Maruchan Souper six-pack of noodles; it also comes in the larger size packs.

Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for young adults ages 18-24 and higher education students, offering all of Prime’s benefits for half price along with additional perks. Upgraded Prime for Young Adults membership includes limited-time 5% cash back savings across categories like beauty, apparel, electronics, and personal care.  Specific eligibility criteria can be found on the Prime Young Adult sign-up page.  After the $0 six month trial period, you’ll be billed only $69 for the next year!

During Prime Day from 7/8-7/11, Prime for Young Adults members will earn 10% cash back on eligible Amazon.com purchases. Members can earn up to $500 cash back per calendar year on eligible purchases. Cash back will expire one year (365 days) from the date earned and cannot be used once expired.

Testing out the limits of a Smart Cart 🙂 at the Naper/Ogden Fresh store, when I came across employees unloading boxes and boxes of eggs.  If you want some, hurry on over (I JUST walked back in) because they haven’t even been entered into the inventory system, so people can’t wipe them out online.  Take that, suckers!

Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Toilet Paper with Cushiony CleaningRipples Texture, 24 Family Mega Rolls (24 Family Mega Rolls = 108 Regular Rolls), 296 Sheets per Roll, for $24.83.  I’d say it’s cheaper than Jewel, but who are we kidding here – Samplers and Nathan’s $1 hot dogs are the only draw on a Saturday for me.  When I can grab something for less at Whole Foods, you know we’ve entered Bizarro World.

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart for only $69.99!  That’s $30 cheaper than the 3 quart size!  Selling FAST!

I’m linking to the main Amazon page for last-minute items if you’ve really screwed the pooch.  This stuff is guaranteed same day delivery ’cause otherwise you’re gonna be paying all through 2025 🙂 This is their Same-Day Store, ’cause they must get a lot of orders.

Roku Express | HD Roku Streaming Device with Standard Remote (no TV controls), Free & Live TV for only $17.99.  Says over 400 channels available for free.  Dunno, because I’m not a big TV watcher, but we got one of these last Christmas; Pita turned it on last week (yeah, I told we don’t watch a lot!!) and said there were all the Bake Off years available!  Obviously not the current year Netflix expects you to pay for, but sweet deal nonetheless.  And it has automatic updates, another nice feature.