Support the reader economy: Giveaway #4.

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I hesitated to post another “Support the Reader Economy” giveaway so soon after my most recent giveaway, which was a $15 Starbucks gift card on June 20. Then I realized:

(a) That was several weeks ago (so easy to lose track of time during an Alaska summer), and also

(b) People are being slammed by inflation, so why not offer a little help right now instead of waiting?

In the grand scheme of things that help is rather small: A $25 gift card to the winner’s retailer of choice. On the other hand, it’s always fun to win things – and even though $25 is chump change these days, in some cases it could make a big difference.

For example:

You’re coming off a spell of unemployment and playing catch-up.

You’re in the middle of a spell of underemployment, and have more month than money.

You’re having one of those years where everything that can go wrong did go wrong, from major repair bills to high medical co-pays.

Will $25 fix any of those situations for good? Of course not. But it might provide gas to get to work, some Payless Shoe Source sneakers for your fast-growing youngest kid, or some milk and bananas to balance out this month’s food-bank offerings.

The giveaway was never meant to be a solution to a major problem. It’s more like a slice of serendipity, an e-hug from me to the winner to encourage them to keep fighting.

And if you’re a winner who’s not exactly struggling but is definitely keeping an eye on the bottom line? Look at the gift card as a chance to do a bit of early holiday shopping or practice $25 worth of stealth stock-up.

Those who are doing okay right now but have less budgetary wiggle room than they’d like could use the card to help out a friend in need. Or maybe a stranger they’ll never meet, if they donate the card to (or shop for) a family shelter or a diaper bank.

How to enter this giveaway

You can enter the giveaway in five different ways (see below). To clarify the first tactic: Don’t leave a daily comment. Only the first one will count; the others will be deleted.

Since this prize can be an e-card as well as a physical one, readers from outside the United States are encouraged to enter. If there’s a way for me to order some scrip to wherever you like to shop, I’ll do my best.

Note: As the giveaway series continues, you can keep entering even if you’ve already won. The random number generator is pretty, well, random.

Want to win? Here’s how to throw your virtual name into the virtual hat:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (e.g., “Follow you on Twitter” or “Subscribed by e-mail”).

The deadline to enter is 6 p.m. PDT Wednesday, July 20. I notify winners via e-mail, so be sure to check yours. If I don’t hear back by 6 p.m. PDT Thursday, July 21, I’ll have the random number generator choose a new name.

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117 thoughts on “Support the reader economy: Giveaway #4.”

  2. The phrase “slice of serendipity” is going on a post-it note on my computer. If ear-worms were words instead of songs, that would be it. karla

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  4. Don’t believe there is a limit on generosity, nor should there be on gratitude. Thank you, Donna, for your part in making the world just a little bit better. I follow via email.

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  7. Please add my name to the hat. I could sure use a CVS if I would win, as right now, my medicines are really taking a bite out of our budget. Thankfully, I probably only have to take this till the middle of Sept. I get your emails. Love all your columns, etc.

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  13. I’ve been a follower since your days at MSN money. Always interesting reading. I also follow your daughter’s posts.

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  29. Thank you for doing this! I’m going to have to replace my AC this year. It’s an ouch for the budget, but not optional for Texas summers.

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  38. Always love reading your stuff — and Abby’s, too. Wish I was in Alaska; here in Waco, Texas, we’re having a horribly hot summer. Yesterday’s high temperature was a brutal 107 degrees F. So the $25 card, should I win, will help make up for having to spend more $$$ on the electric bill. In this weather, we can’t live without our AC. I trust it’s much cooler where you are!

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  56. A few extra dollars to the aware consumer is always helpful! I have my buckets set up and save a little every paycheck to my emergency fund, new(er) car fund, etc. Then I made a list of all the birthdays and holidays coming up for me, and realized most of my close friends and family are born between September and December. Oy.

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  65. Follow you on FB and twitter. Would love to win and purchase food to donate to my local food bank. The lines have been really long lately. Thanks for all you do.

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  66. Grocery prices are skyrocking. So are the costs of necessities like toilet paper and the rolls are smaller. Living on a pension, this hurts.

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  84. subscribe all over the place. I, too, like that ‘slice of serendipity’ idea. There are a few places where an extra few bucks could make a difference, including our local homeless shelter and food bank. I would take script for one of our local grocery stores and go buy something like juice boxes and granola bars (on sale, natch) and donate to the shelter. people who are currently un-homed deserve a random handy treat!

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  85. I like the giveaway! I like a slice of serendipity. I am thankful to have health insurance, but I take a ton of meds.
    I think I would use it for something fun for me. Radical.
    And I will follow directions and only comment once!

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  86. Thanks for the giveaway! I just signed the contract for a new roof (much needed) and this would help me dip less into savings.

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  92. I follow you on fb and get your emails. And I share you with both my daughters. When I remember I share on fb. This would likely be gifted if I won.

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  93. Our second fridge just conked out after 16 years and the repair is not going to be worth it so we are saving to replace it–this will help!

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  101. Thank you for another giveaway! We live in a high COLA and still, $25 can go pretty far for food, if following the many stretching tactics and tips you’ve written about over the years.

    Reply

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