Issue #94 | 11.7.26
Money
Compound Mettle
5 Black Friday Deals Actually Worth Waiting For
If you know what you're looking for, Black Friday can be one of the smartest shopping weekends of the year. The trick isn't chasing the biggest percentage off. It's knowing which purchases are worth waiting for and when to pull the trigger.
Five categories to keep on your radar.
Last Year's Apple Gear
Previous-generation AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches often see some of their best discounts of the year. Most guys don't need the latest model to get everything they want. Double-check the generation and model number before you buy.Power Tools
Prime time for combo kits from DeWalt, Milwaukee, and other major brands. Home Depot and Lowe's often offer bonus batteries and discounted bundles. If the garage needs an upgrade, this is a good week to shop around.A Better TV
That 65-inch Sony, LG, or Samsung you've been eyeing? Black Friday is a good time to watch for a price drop. Focus on the exact model, not the discount sticker. A great TV at a good price beats a mediocre one at half off.Cookware That Lasts
Le Creuset, Staub, and Lodge are worth watching for holiday deals. A quality Dutch oven or cast iron skillet isn't something you replace every few years. Buy once, take care of it, and you'll be cooking with it for decades.Big Appliances
If your washer is making noises it shouldn't or the fridge is on borrowed time, Black Friday is a smart time to compare deals. Look for competitive pricing and package offers, but factor in delivery, installation, and haul-away costs before you commit.
One Move Before You Buy
Make your list now. Save the exact models, note today's prices, and set a budget. When the sales hit, you'll know a real deal from a loud one.
The Mettle Take
The best Black Friday buys aren't impulse purchases. They're the things you already wanted, finally at a price that makes sense.
Discipline is the flex.
Drink
One Cocktail To Know
The Maple Rye Manhattan: November in a Glass
The Manhattan is already one of the best cold-weather cocktails there is. Rye, sweet vermouth, bitters, stirred cold and served up. It doesn't need help.
But a little real maple syrup changes it. Not dramatically sweeter. Just rounder. The maple picks up the vanilla and oak in the rye and softens the edge of the vermouth.
It tastes like the original Manhattan, just wearing a flannel.
The Recipe
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
½ to 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, to taste
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Brandied cherry or orange peel to garnish
Add everything to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe.
Drop in a brandied cherry, or express an orange peel over the top if you want a brighter finish.
One Tip
Use Grade A Dark, Robust Taste maple syrup. It has the deeper maple flavor that stands up to rye. Lighter syrups can get lost.
And choose a rye with some spice. Rittenhouse, Old Overholt Bonded, or Wild Turkey 101 Rye are all solid options that won't break the bank.
The Mettle Take
Don't reinvent the Manhattan. Just give it a reason to show up in November.
Not the drink they expect. The one they remember.
Fitness
Built to Last
The 15-Minute Hotel Room Workout
The hotel gym has two treadmills, a broken cable machine, and a guy on a conference call. Skip it. Everything you need is between the bed and the TV, plus one thing you pack yourself.
Pack a resistance band. It weighs less than your phone charger, fits in any pocket of your bag, and turns a bodyweight routine into a full-body travel workout. Fifteen minutes, one band, no excuses.
The Workout
Set a timer for 15 minutes. Do each move for 40 seconds, then take 20 seconds to transition. Complete three rounds with no extra rest.
Push-Ups
Hands under shoulders, body in a straight line. Lower with control and push back up. Too hard? Drop to your knees. Too easy? Slow down each rep.Bodyweight Squats
Feet shoulder-width apart. Sit back and down, then drive through your feet to stand. Make it harder with a three-second descent.Reverse Lunges
Alternate legs, stepping back into each lunge. Keep your chest tall and control the movement. No need to rush.Seated Band Rows
Sit on the floor with knees slightly bent and the band looped securely around the soles of your feet. Sit tall and pull toward your ribs, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Release slowly. Check the band for damage before starting.Plank
Forearms down, hips level, core tight. Don't let your lower back sag. Need a break? Drop your knees briefly, then get back to it.
The Mettle Take
You don't need a gym to stay on track. You need 15 minutes and the decision to use them.
Built for the long haul
News
The Feed
This Week’s Sharp Clicks
The 200 greatest rock songs of the 21st century so far.
Bench pressing over 50 years old? Read this first.
Top 10 ballpark hotdogs in the country.
Stay Sharp,
Matt Mettle
