Debt Dumpers 2020

[RamblingMad]

I wish I hadn't seen your post about these dishes because I went to the Pottery Barn Kids website to see them and now I want them too

Might need to rename this thread the holiday shopper thread.

 

[crazycatstacy]

I wish I hadn't seen your post about these dishes because I went to the Pottery Barn Kids website to see them and now I want them too

ha! Sorry! I think they are adorable and I can’t wait to get them. My bff said if I get these there will probably be Christmas ones and I will want those. I told her I am hoping there are Christmas ones!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Well I had to look... you didn’t mention the. Mickey Mouse Halloween Charger Plate and cute children’s knife&forks, etc.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Where is this?! I need it like a hole in the head but it'd match my plaid spirit jersey. BTW, those are so overpriced, but I feel giddy every.stinking.time that I wear it!

Here!

 

[jen7233]

On the topic of purchases, and what to buy or not buy, I've been going back and forth on getting a rower (NordicTrack or Echelon, etc.). Not sure if I'll ever go ahead with the purchase. It was one of the machines I liked using at the gym, though. We are getting a ton of use out of our NordicTrack treadmill we bought a few months ago, and I had my doubts, but it's turned out to be a good purchase.

speaking of christmas...............is anyone else feeling like they want to try and get their shopping done sooner vs. later this year? it seems like everything i order off any site is taking so much longer to arrive no matter what shipper they use so i'm feeling like i might start looking at stuff i know won't need to be returned and may start my shopping in september so it will hopefully arrive before thanksgiving

At the moment I'm not even feeling Christmas. That means it'll likely be a last second thought this year and I'll be scrambling. Money-wise, however, I have saved enough so that won't be the issue. It'll be more like do I feel like thinking about presents, shopping, wrapping, sending, decorating, etc. So far our only conversation on holidays here has been about possibly no trick-or-treating.

I'm going through all of this over buying a pair of Asics sneakers while Asics is offering a good discount to health care workers. Back in July, the discount was 60%. Now it's down to 40% I think. My current sneakers are 11 months old but they look much newer and still feel good on my feet. Still, I know I'll need a new pair soon but just keep delaying my spending as long as I can

If you know you're going to wear them, seeing a sale is a good time, buy and hold for later. Particularly on a running shoe, something you know you'll wear often for either working out or work. Eleven months can even be too long, depending on the amount or type of use with the running shoes. Check the tread also. I just bought some Asics to replace some bad quality Nike shoes, done with them. They used to have a better quality. I wanted to spring for some Brooks, but the cost got to me, however, if going through foot, knee, ankle pain, it can be worth it to get a good quality shoe. I have no complaints on the Asics, though.

 

[RamblingMad]

On the topic of purchases, and what to buy or not buy, I've been going back and forth on getting a rower (NordicTrack or Echelon, etc.). Not sure if I'll ever go ahead with the purchase. It was one of the machines I liked using at the gym, though. We are getting a ton of use out of our NordicTrack treadmill we bought a few months ago, and I had my doubts, but it's turned out to be a good purchase.

Lots of gyms going out of business. You should be able to find some deals on used gym equipment.

 

[SirDuff]

speaking of christmas...............is anyone else feeling like they want to try and get their shopping done sooner vs. later this year? it seems like everything i order off any site is taking so much longer to arrive no matter what shipper they use so i'm feeling like i might start looking at stuff i know won't need to be returned and may start my shopping in september so it will hopefully arrive before thanksgiving

I'm just hoping to get to be with my family for Christmas. I live in Europe but am Canadian and usually spend Christmas with my family in the US.

 

[jen7233]

Lots of gyms going out of business. You should be able to find some deals on used gym equipment.

Perhaps. The few gyms near me are chains (i.e. Planet Fitness) and still open. I need to look through the online marketplaces and see what may pop up. I'll add that they were closed for a few months, but I'm used to working out at home now.

 

[Eureka]

At the moment I'm not even feeling Christmas. That means it'll likely be a last second thought this year and I'll be scrambling. Money-wise, however, I have saved enough so that won't be the issue. It'll be more like do I feel like thinking about presents, shopping, wrapping, sending, decorating, etc. So far our only conversation on holidays here has been about possibly no trick-or-treating.

Yeah, same here. I always do a lot of baking for family, friends and people at work and won't be able to this year, which is a huge bummer. My parents, aunt and my mother-in-law/all of DH's family live far away from us. I can't see anyone being able to come here for Thanksgiving or us going there for Christmas like we normally do. Would be the first time in literally 20 years (DS19's birthday is very close to Christmas) we haven't traveled for Christmas and that makes me sad, especially since my MIL is in her 80s. And what do we even do for gifts? We're not going anywhere and not wearing nice clothes, makeup, etc. The concert tickets DH gave me last year for the holidays were for a Journey concert that was supposed to be two weeks ago and obviously was cancelled. (Yes, I am showing my age!) I was so upset. The boys want to upgrade their phones - they still have iphone 6 - so that's easy enough to do for the holidays.

 

[RamblingMad]

Yeah, same here. I always do a lot of baking for family, friends and people at work and won't be able to this year, which is a huge bummer. My parents, aunt and my mother-in-law/all of DH's family live far away from us. I can't see anyone being able to come here for Thanksgiving or us going there for Christmas like we normally do. Would be the first time in literally 20 years (DS19's birthday is very close to Christmas) we haven't traveled for Christmas and that makes me sad, especially since my MIL is in her 80s. And what do we even do for gifts? We're not going anywhere and not wearing nice clothes, makeup, etc. The concert tickets DH gave me last year for the holidays were for a Journey concert that was supposed to be two weeks ago and obviously was cancelled. (Yes, I am showing my age!) I was so upset. The boys want to upgrade their phones - they still have iphone 6 - so that's easy enough to do for the holidays.

I think the PS5 is coming out. If you haven’t upgraded to an OLED TV yet, I’d do that upgrade. Basically upgrade your stay at home life.

I did go to Glacier National Park this year. Maybe start planning a trip to a NP next year. I felt safe and would go to another. I might hit up the Utah parks next year.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Well, I went to get on the lawnmower this morning and the engine blew. Like, cracked down the side and oil leaking out. We got it used (for free!) 5 years ago so it's been worth what we paid haha. We really need either a wider mower deck or a zero turn mower though, so it looks like we'll be shelling out about $3000 for a new one.

 

[DLgal]

I think the PS5 is coming out. If you haven’t upgraded to an OLED TV yet, I’d do that upgrade. Basically upgrade your stay at home life.

I did go to Glacier National Park this year. Maybe start planning a trip to a NP next year. I felt safe and would go to another. I might hit up the Utah parks next year.

We upgraded to an OLED TV a couple years ago and it was some of the best money we've ever spent. The picture quality is unreal and it is so much easier on the eyes.

 

[RamblingMad]

We upgraded to an OLED TV a couple years ago and it was some of the best money we've ever spent. The picture quality is unreal and it is so much easier on the eyes.

Yep. It’s ridiculously good. it’s what I tell everyone to get. But then they look at the price. I tell them that it’s better to get a smaller TV that looks great than a bigger one that looks awful.

 

[DLgal]

So, our 6 year old elliptical has bitten the dust. A few months ago, the belt snapped and I figured it would be an easy fix. Boy, was I wrong! I did manage to replace the belt, but I had to use superhuman strength to knock some bolts free during the process. Those things were SERIOUSLY tight, and required the use of spray oil and a 24" breaker bar. When reassembling, I was not able to tighten them to the same degree as they had been from the factory. It's now making an annoying clunking knock with every rotation because there is play in the bolt. Also, one of the pedal arms drifts annoyingly to the right and I have already replaced it a few years ago, and it's happening again. I'm done with this thing. And I'll never buy another piece of NordicTrack equipment again! These things are really cheaply made using garbage quality parts.

It is still usable for now, but we need a replacement. DH and I will be going to a local fitness equipment store and looking at ellipticals, but we have our eye on basically professional gym quality machines only, so we are in the $4000-5000 range.

However, another option that I'm considering is an Elliptigo. We have been seeing these out on the bike trails and they are SO cool! They are more like running than traditional ellipticals and can also be used indoors with a stationary trainer, which would be great for these 100 degree days and the occasional early morning/late night workout sessions I do. Plus, my kids are interested in this and we can take turns on it when we go for long bike rides. This option would be $1000-1500 cheaper. I scheduled a test ride for us at the same fitness store for Saturday. They sell both options so we will decide then.

I'm looking at this as spending "stimulus check, round 2" if it ever comes to fruition. If not, I will just pull the money from our "vacation" bucket, which is currently at $8000 with no vacation plans until next summer or later, so plenty of time to bring it back up.

 

[DLgal]

Yep. It’s ridiculously good. it’s what I tell everyone to get. But then they look at the price. I tell them that it’s better to get a smaller TV that looks great than a bigger one that looks awful.

Ours was an upgrade from a 40" LCD, and we went with the 55" OLED. We have a very small living room (really a section of a Great Room) and our couch is only about 6 feet from the TV, so it's plenty large enough.

 

[RamblingMad]

Ours was an upgrade from a 40" LCD, and we went with the 55" OLED. We have a very small living room (really a section of a Great Room) and our couch is only about 6 feet from the TV, so it's plenty large enough.

I have the 55 inch too. I might go with the 65 inch in the future and move the 55 into the master bedroom. Right now we’re a one TV household.

 

[DLgal]

I have the 55 inch too. I might go with the 65 inch in the future and move the 55 into the master bedroom. Right now we’re a one TV household.

Same. Although, I don't see us ever putting a TV in the bedroom. We both have bad enough insomnia issues. Don't need to add to that! Although, our media center can accommodate a 65 inch tv, so if we move, and our living area is a larger room, we may sell this one and upgrade.

 

[RamblingMad]

Same. Although, I don't see us ever putting a TV in the bedroom. We both have bad enough insomnia issues. Don't need to add to that! Although, our media center can accommodate a 65 inch tv, so if we move, and our living area is a larger room, we may sell this one and upgrade.

It’s just so good. I felt good spending the money on this luxury.

 

[DLgal]

It’s just so good. I felt good spending the money on this luxury.

Same! Our old TV was purchased in 2007, and while it was a higher end one at the time with excellent picture quality (was a Samsung), the OLED is just in a completely different ballpark.

Now we are wanting to upgrade our Soundbar. We have a Vizio that was like $150 from Wal Mart 9 years ago (consistently rated one of the best in the value category). Lately, though, the subwoofer cuts in and out and its getting annoying. There are so many soundbars on the market now and I don't know which one to get. Our great room setup with somewhat high ceilings isn't conducive to a true surround system (nowhere to mount side or rear speakers) and no wall on the sides for sound to bounce off of. I've been looking but they Ll seem to have caveats based on the size and shape of a room.

 

[imbatman]

Would be the first time in literally 20 years (DS19's birthday is very close to Christmas) we haven't traveled for Christmas and that makes me sad, especially since my MIL is in her 80s.

Our oldest will be out of state for college and we just purchased some great tickets for her to come home for Christmas on Southwest!