Debt Dumpers 2025

[barkley]

Thanks. I guess I meant crystal (the clear stuff). We have unopened boxes of crystal bowls, plates, whatever. Quite a bit of it. So people aren't buying that either? Very frustrating if so because now we have a ton of it with nothing to do with it. Guessing it's headed for the dumpster.

I would'nt dumpster it. you seem to be involved with your church-perhaps they would like the items for potlucks/special events. I also know of someone who had a number of pretty dishes, serving plates and such that she wanted to 're-home' so she got into the habit of using them whenever she went to a potluck or made cookies to gift someone.

 

[Tygerlilly]

I would'nt dumpster it. you seem to be involved with your church-perhaps they would like the items for potlucks/special events. I also know of someone who had a number of pretty dishes, serving plates and such that she wanted to 're-home' so she got into the habit of using them whenever she went to a potluck or made cookies to gift someone.

I love thrifting fancy platters and other serving dishes to take meals in. So much nicer than disposable ones and can continue to be passed along.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

noone is buying china anymore, even the online places that used to for resale to folks looking to fill out a set or replace pieces. so much of it got donated during the pandemic to the local to us charity places that they stopped accepting it (along with china cabinets) and now sell full boxes of all sizes of plates for a dime per piece for people to use as shooting targets our everyday dishes finally bit the dust and were getting wonky in the microwave (microwave safe but they were getting hot to the touch) so when got rid of them and now use our wedding china day to day. at least we are getting some use out of them.

I seriously debate doing this. Just getting rid of our standard stuff (it's just plain white Williams Sonoma plates) and then using our wedding china. it used to be used only at Thanksgiving, but then we got those pretty disney princess plates and now it's a tradition to make anyone attending say who their favorite disney princess is so we can use those instead!

And now it just takes up space in a cabinet. It's still so pretty though!

 

[first*toright]

I seriously debate doing this. Just getting rid of our standard stuff (it's just plain white Williams Sonoma plates) and then using our wedding china. it used to be used only at Thanksgiving, but then we got those pretty disney princess plates and now it's a tradition to make anyone attending say who their favorite disney princess is so we can use those instead!

And now it just takes up space in a cabinet. It's still so pretty though!

Good quality china holds up so well - when our last set of every day dishes bit the dust, I replaced it with a set of fancy china. It has been a year and a half, and we've broken one plate and none of the others have even chipped. Its thinner, so it fits better in the cabinet and in the dishwasher, and makes every meal look pretty (even when its grilled cheese and tomato soup). I'm even using a set of bowls my mom gave us that have gold rims and just washing them in the dishwasher - better to wear off the gold than have something sitting there for another generation not being used!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

When the pandemic first began, I purchased a few sets of china on Facebook Marketplace (for pennies on the dollar) that complement my grandmother's china that I inherited. My kids will divide it amongst themselves -- making sure that each one gets some pieces of my grandmother's original set and taking whatever else they want. We use the china as our everyday dishes as well. The only downside is they can't go in the microwave because of a silver edge on them, so we keep a few "regular" plates for microwave use.

 

[Nettlelondon]

During the pandemic we decided to move the "good" glassware from the cabinet in the dining room to the kitchen cabinet and started using it all the time.

Then just after I finished my cancer treatment we wandered in to a homeware shop that had some china that was reasonably expensive but we loved the look of it. We hadn't bought any for about 25 years and decided life is too short to keep things for best. We bought a whole selection of items and use them all the time. Every time I dish up I smile - I am astounded that a plate can do that, but it does.

By keeping things for only special events we are saying we value the experience of others over our own experiences.

My mother has cupboards and boxes full of china and glassware she doesn't use - including some that was wedding presents 65 years ago and still in the gift wrap - but she can't bring herself to part with it.

 

[Tygerlilly]

I found boxes of my grandma's old pyrex bowls, bake ware and fancy dishes while cleaning my parents house out. I use them almost daily and smile every single time because they brought back such amazing memories.

I saw something a couple months ago about romanticizing your everyday life and I LOVED that philosophy. Using pretty dishes just because my family and I are alive and well seems like a good start.

 

[Jillfo]

By keeping things for only special events we are saying we value the experience of others over our own experiences.

This. As I've read in several places "being alive is a special occasion."

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Just got an email about our upcoming insurance policy going into effect in June. And our price went up almost 50%. That is insane. We didn't even change anything. And that's for (2) 40-somethings with no kids. One car we're paying for has full coverage while another that is already paid off has liability only on the other.

What can I do to get this price down? I hear people talking about shopping around. Is that just a matter of calling all the insurance agencies (All State, State Farm and Progressive)? We have had Progressive for the past 20 or so years, and we've been devoted to them throughout that 2 decades despite small increases here and there. They've never gone up 50% though. I hate to "cheat" on them, but I feel I need to shop around.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Just got an email about our upcoming insurance policy going into effect in June. And our price went up almost 50%. That is insane. We didn't even change anything. And that's for (2) 40-somethings with no kids. One car we're paying for has full coverage while another that is already paid off has liability only on the other.

What can I do to get this price down? I hear people talking about shopping around. Is that just a matter of calling all the insurance agencies (All State, State Farm and Progressive)? We have had Progressive for the past 20 or so years, and we've been devoted to them throughout that 2 decades despite small increases here and there. They've never gone up 50% though. I hate to "cheat" on them, but I feel I need to shop around.

An insurance broker that works with a bunch of companies would bring you a bunch of quotes.

I just shopped around my polices and sadly found out there wasn’t much savings for me (maybe $100 a year). I did change simply because the last time I had to make a change to the policy I had to call in multiple times simply because it was obvious the call center agents were offshore and communication was horrible.

 

[sandam1]

What can I do to get this price down? I hear people talking about shopping around. Is that just a matter of calling all the insurance agencies (All State, State Farm and Progressive)? We have had Progressive for the past 20 or so years, and we've been devoted to them throughout that 2 decades despite small increases here and there. They've never gone up 50% though. I hate to "cheat" on them, but I feel I need to shop around.

What we were able to do is simply call our company, say "hey, we got our bill and it is an enormous increase," and ask if there is anything that they can do about it. It helps if you have shopped around and are serious willing to switch if they don't do something. My experience is that the companies count on most people just sucking it up and paying the increase, but that if you ask and are willing to leave, they will miraculously find some special discount.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Just got an email about our upcoming insurance policy going into effect in June. And our price went up almost 50%. That is insane. We didn't even change anything. And that's for (2) 40-somethings with no kids. One car we're paying for has full coverage while another that is already paid off has liability only on the other.

What can I do to get this price down? I hear people talking about shopping around. Is that just a matter of calling all the insurance agencies (All State, State Farm and Progressive)? We have had Progressive for the past 20 or so years, and we've been devoted to them throughout that 2 decades despite small increases here and there. They've never gone up 50% though. I hate to "cheat" on them, but I feel I need to shop around.

You want to work with an insurance agent who specializes in property casualty insurance.

They will discuss the coverage you want and they will shop it for you. You may get a better deal if you are willing to bundle Bundle means having them insure multiple things, the most common would be adding your homeowners insurance but boat, motorcycle, RV, etc would all count.

Insurance rates vary greatly based on driving record, accidents, geographic area, etc.

Rates are up across the board so you may see there is not a lot of difference at different companies. Obviously reducing coverage can save money but if something happens you may not have the coverage you want.

Progressive is actively exiting business in certain states. I’m not sure where you live but it’s mostly souther states, Florida and Texas are two examples.

I’m in the industry (work for a research company) but on the life insurance side. With that said I follow all the insurance news because most companies are multi line (sell multiple products)

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I should've clarified. This is for auto insurance only. We don't have home owners as we rent.
But that's good to know about Progressive. Not sure how that will affect prices. But we definitely shop.

You want to work with an insurance agent who specializes in property casualty insurance.

They will discuss the coverage you want and they will shop it for you. You may get a better deal if you are willing to bundle Bundle means having them insure multiple things, the most common would be adding your homeowners insurance but boat, motorcycle, RV, etc would all count.

Insurance rates vary greatly based on driving record, accidents, geographic area, etc.

Rates are up across the board so you may see there is not a lot of difference at different companies. Obviously reducing coverage can save money but if something happens you may not have the coverage you want.

Progressive is actively exiting business in certain states. I’m not sure where you live but it’s mostly souther states, Florida and Texas are two examples.

I’m in the industry (work for a research company) but on the life insurance side. With that said I follow all the insurance news because most companies are multi line (sell multiple products)

 

[LoveDaisy]

I should've clarified. This is for auto insurance only. We don't have home owners as we rent.
But that's good to know about Progressive. Not sure how that will affect prices. But we definitely shop.

Normally when an insurance company wants to exit a market they will either 1. Shut the business down completely and end all their policies for that product or geographic location or 2. Raise the prices really high so people opt out in their own.

If they are doing the second option that could work for you because others will offer better rates. Number one is almost worse because coverage just stops on X date regardless of what you are willing to pay while you try to find new coverage.

A lot of companies are leaving the south, the natural disaster rate plus the the amount of fraud that happens in association with those weather events makes it unsustainable for them. You are seeing it happening with homeowners insurance in Florida and I would expect auto to follow if it hasn’t already. From what I’m reading they expect this to spread throughout southern. states.

insurance regulations are controlled by the states for the most part. Being in a highly regulated state will help keep costs down. The regulation tends to follow party lines. Blue states tend to be more regulated than red states. This is not a political statement just how these regulations currently work.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Thanks for the input. I actually went to Progressive and did NOT log in. I went through the steps to get a new quote, and it was like $260 a month for 6 months. So I'm going to call them this evening after work and see why such a big difference.

Normally when an insurance company wants to exit a market they will either 1. Shut the business down completely and end all their policies for that product or geographic location or 2. Raise the prices really high so people opt out in their own.

If they are doing the second option that could work for you because others will offer better rates. Number one is almost worse because coverage just stops on X date regardless of what you are willing to pay while you try to find new coverage.

A lot of companies are leaving the south, the natural disaster rate plus the the amount of fraud that happens in association with those weather events makes it unsustainable for them. You are seeing it happening with homeowners insurance in Florida and I would expect auto to follow if it hasn’t already. From what I’m reading they expect this to spread throughout southern. states.

insurance regulations are controlled by the states for the most part. Being in a highly regulated state will help keep costs down. The regulation tends to follow party lines. Blue states tend to be more regulated than red states. This is not a political statement just how these regulations currently work.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the input. I actually went to Progressive and did NOT log in. I went through the steps to get a new quote, and it was like $260 a month for 6 months. So I'm going to call them this evening after work and see why such a big difference.

Do you have any tickets or accidents on your driving record? If so, that can raise your rate.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

No tickets for me in last handful of years. None for DW that I know of. We did both have an accident, but neither one was our fault. Had a guy pull out in front of me, and I T-boned him Then my wife got in one where a lady cut her off and then took off, and nobody was faulted on that one. So we have had wrecks, but neither was our fault. So it shouldn't affect us.

Do you have any tickets or accidents on your driving record? If so, that can raise your rate.

 

[LoveDaisy]

No tickets for me in last handful of years. None for DW that I know of. We did both have an accident, but neither one was our fault. Had a guy pull out in front of me, and I T-boned him Then my wife got in one where a lady cut her off and then took off, and nobody was faulted on that one. So we have had wrecks, but neither was our fault. So it shouldn't affect us.

Who’s insurance paid for your accident? Did your insurance pay for your wife’s no fault or did their insurance pay? If your insurance paid for either this may be the reason for the increase.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Can’t credit scores also impact rates? Because they use it to get an idea of your ability to pay your premiums and deductible? Or did I mishear that?

 

[ctinct]

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/credit/index.html

Yes, Texas is one of the states allowing credit scores to be used by insurance companies when setting rates. I don’t think it’s allowed in some states.

Interestingly, I seem to recall Clark Howard saying on his podcast that insurance companies have found that a poor credit score is a more reliable indicator of risk for them than things like prior speeding tickets.