Want to save on bling? Call AAA!

DECEMBER 05, 2008

A lot’s changed since my parents added me to their American Automobile Association family membership a decade ago. I grew up. Moved to Florida. Started a 401(k). Got married.

But it still stung recently when my dad called to say he was renewing their membership and no, I would not be on it. So long, 24-hour roadside assistance. Adios, free road maps. Auf Wiedersehen, locksmith service.

Yesterday I went trolling online to see how much AAA service would cost for my husband and me. That’s when I discovered the real benefit of AAA membership: the discounts. Sure, I knew flashing the card could save me at hotels and restaurants. Lord knows, I’ve heard my father ask, “Is there a AAA discount?” at many a buffet. But when I checked out the “Show Your Card and Save” section of aaasouth.com, I was amazed at the scope of the deals.

In Tampa Bay a AAA card is good for:

• $3 off admission and 10 percent off select food at Busch Gardens
• 30 percent off eye exams, glasses, sunglasses and accessories at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sears Optical
• 20 percent off terrace level tickets to regular season Lightning home games
• 15 percent off regular-priced items at New York & Co.
• 10 percent off fine jewelry and ring settings at Blue Nile
• Six percent off all Dell purchases

And so on and so on. I’m sold. The next time I’m in the market for diamonds or a desktop, those markdowns will add up to serious cheddar. With the savings maybe I’ll do something practical, like call my parents long-distance and ask them why they didn’t tell me about this 10 years ago.

— Guest Deal Diva Dalia Colon

Posted by Letitia Stein at 7:00:00 am on December 05, 2008 in

Diva Deal Alert

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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