This is so minor, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I got an email from O Magazine about my auto renewal. Since I love magazines, especially this one, I was all set to pay up until I noticed the rate.



I called customer service to verify that I have always paid a lower rate. The woman (we'll call her Dee 'cause I can't remember her real name) confirmed that yes, in the past I've only paid $18.

Me: Thanks, Dee. I have to pinch pennies wherever I can, being displaced an all.

Dee: I totally understand, I work and have to pinch them too. Do you want me to re-invoice you for the $18 or pay now?

Me: I can pay now [running upstairs for debit card]. Is the $10 rate still going on?

Dee: You have the lowest rate available.

Me: Oh, well, OK. I saw that rate offered by Redbook but maybe it's expired.

Dee: I've never come across it before.

Me: Yes, I see it all the time when I enter the sweeps on the Redbook site [frantically clicking]. Usually, after I enter it comes up as a special 'thank you' offer... [entering spa sweeps] Yes, here it is. [reading] "Thank you for entering, as a special 'thank you' get either 12 issues of Cosmo for $10, 12 issues of O for $10 or both together for $20.

Dee: I've never seen that rate come through before. Is it O Magazine or O At Home?

Me: It's for O. I can take a screen shot and email you.

Dee: [laughing] No, I trust you. I'll adjust that down to $10.

Me: Great, thanks! I have my card when you're ready.

It never hurts to ask!

It's Carnival Time! Giveaway Day 1

***COMMENTS NOW CLOSED*** Yeah! It's that time again. Time for late nights, ignoring the housework and finding new blogs. If you're here for the first time, welcome and thank you for coming! I hope to see you again.

I really enjoyed last year's carnival and wanted to do something special for this one. I am putting the finishing touches on my prizes and should be giving away a new item each day so please check back.

For my first giveaway, I have a beautiful handmade glass pendant from Jeanne Lee at Trinity Treasures. I adore fused glass jewelry and bought two of her pendants as my Mother's Day present to myself.

Jeanne is so sweet and I was so happy she agreed to give me pendants (notice the plural, hint, hint) for the carnival. She is local to San Diego and I always like to support local artists. But it's going to be really hard for me to give them up!

My camera does not do this necklace justice. It's several shades of green with an almost teal sparkle to it on a brown silk cord. Gorgeous!

To enter:

1. Go to the Trinity Treasures store to see Jeanne's other items (click on 'go to store,' top left).

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me what other piece you'd buy - required. Simple! (You can thank me later)

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

*Enter my Chick Lit giveaway here, the re-usable totes here , the Starbucks/Barnes and Noble here and the second pendant here. (Not required, but more free stuff!)

Thanks again for coming! Be sure to check out the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway hub for more great prizes. Last quarter there were more than 900 giveaways. Have fun!