Debt Dumpers 2025

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Thank you for this info. I did call the landlord, and he is going to come fix it. I just hate to do that cause we can't afford for our rent to go up when we resign next September. That said, we do not have renter's insurance. It's something DW and I have talked about looking into. I just have no idea what kind of value we have in there or where to start. I already pay $450/month for car insurance. I can't afford another $400/month insurance payment.

Renter's insurance is generally less expensive than other types of insurance. A policy might cover something like $25,000 of personal property and $100,000 of liability insurance for less than $50 per month.

 

[afan]

We are renters. But I get the items at cost. And I'd rather call some guy that's local on Facebook group that's going to charge $100 to put it in over having my rent go up $100/month. Not sure it will, but I don't to take a chance. It's a couple, not a company. So I'm afraid they're going to raise our rent if we have to use them.

Literally not how it should work. Having been a landlord I'd be pissed if my tenant had ever done this. I own the property so not only is it my responsibility to fix repair but it's my choice as to how it's done and what I replace it with. Nevermind the fact that I need to know it happened in case of further damage to the leak.

Yes some of the repairs or things I got charged for where absolutely asinine. One complaint - the house smells one fall. Well of course it does, it was built in the 1920s and you've hit the time of year where the a/c or heat aren't running often and there's no air circulating. Open a window.

Rent was always based on market rate, not that I paid to fix things. Now if they broke something, they would be charged for the repair but I was still made aware of it. Water heater goes out, that's on me.

 

[barkley]

Thank you for this info. I did call the landlord, and he is going to come fix it. I just hate to do that cause we can't afford for our rent to go up when we resign next September. That said, we do not have renter's insurance. It's something DW and I have talked about looking into. I just have no idea what kind of value we have in there or where to start. I already pay $450/month for car insurance. I can't afford another $400/month insurance payment.

Renter's insurance is generally less expensive than other types of insurance. A policy might cover something like $25,000 of personal property and $100,000 of liability insurance for less than $50 per month.

to give you an idea-my oldest is required by the landlord to have coverage and their recently paid policy is-

$300K in coverage w/ $50K for personal property/ $10K for loss of use (we encouraged this cuz we had a friend whose rental required repairs that necessitated him temporarily relocating and storing some items), $250 deductable. premium runs $350 per year.

 

[focusondisney]

to give you an idea-my oldest is required by the landlord to have coverage and their recently paid policy is-

$300K in coverage w/ $50K for personal property/ $10K for loss of use (we encouraged this cuz we had a friend whose rental required repairs that necessitated him temporarily relocating and storing some items), $250 deductable. premium runs $350 per year.

Just curious, what’s the $300K part for? That seems excessive coverage for renters insurance & more in line with what a homeowner’s policy would be.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

See, I don't know what any of that means. Where are you getting values? Or how do we decide?

to give you an idea-my oldest is required by the landlord to have coverage and their recently paid policy is-

$300K in coverage w/ $50K for personal property/ $10K for loss of use (we encouraged this cuz we had a friend whose rental required repairs that necessitated him temporarily relocating and storing some items), $250 deductable. premium runs $350 per year.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I now have renter's insurance. I just got $30k in coverage, 100% replacement costs with a $500 deductible, $100 liability, $10k guest and $30 per occupant replacemnt cost for $21 per month. That's nuts, Yet, my auto insurance is 20x that ($450) and has probably not even that amount of coverages, lol.

 

[barkley]

Just curious, what’s the $300K part for? That seems excessive coverage for renters insurance & more in line with what a homeowner’s policy would be.

it's only a $6 per year difference between $100k (which apartment requires) and $300k which includes personal liability. our thought process was if god forbid say something in the apartment causes a fire that causes damage to the adjacent units (I think there are 8 separate apartments in each building) but those renters only did the minimum on their contents or opted out of coverage for lack of use it could add up pretty quickly (some of the apartments have 3 individual tenants so potential for lots of separate claims/lawsuits). the lease is pretty explicit on how if damage is done to the renter's unit or any other unit due to the renter's actions (or inaction on timely reporting a maintainance problem) that liability falls on the renter.

See, I don't know what any of that means. Where are you getting values? Or how do we decide?

in large part the contents (personal property) values are b/c of the replacement value of video game consoles (the older ones in particular) and their games (older ones in particular are psycho expensive to replace) and some kind of anime related stuff (I know nothing about the genre except that the stuff is stupid expensive). then we added what replacement would run on furniture, household goods, clothing...it's crazy how it adds up. since you've got the coverage now it's well worth it to take quick snapshots of all your rooms (closeups of bookcase and drawers) b/c in case of loss you remember the big stuff but the individual items are hard to remember.

 

[focusondisney]

it's only a $6 per year difference between $100k (which apartment requires) and $300k which includes personal liability. our thought process was if god forbid say something in the apartment causes a fire that causes damage to the adjacent units (I think there are 8 separate apartments in each building) but those renters only did the minimum on their contents or opted out of coverage for lack of use it could add up pretty quickly (some of the apartments have 3 individual tenants so potential for lots of separate claims/lawsuits). the lease is pretty explicit on how if damage is done to the renter's unit or any other unit due to the renter's actions (or inaction on timely reporting a maintainance problem) that liability falls on the renter.

Ah, that makes sense. I didn’t think about them being liable for damage to someone else’s apartment.

 

[barkley]

Ah, that makes sense. I didn’t think about them being liable for damage to someone else’s apartment.

yup, just as a private homeowner can be liable for the damages to another private homeowner's property if they are found responsible (ask my friend who successfully went after her neighbor after she maxed out and exceeded her insurance's damage and personal property coverage maximums due to her neighbor's negligence).

 

[Nettlelondon]

In the UK the landlord would be responsible for fixing things like this (unless the tenant had been negligent/idiotic) but they would normally have landlord's insurance to cover it unless they were a property company with repair teams etc.

The landlord's insurance would also cover tenants who stop paying rent & help with the costs & processes of kicking them out and the repairs that might follow if the tenant wrecks the place. These policies usually require vetting of tenants at the start of a tenancy but are a potential fortune saver.

There is a popular TV show about nightmare tenants - so often the nightmares could be avoided if there was insurance and vetting in place, but that wouldn't make for good TV.

Please don't take this as a criticism WDW_fan - but I think your instant reaction "something has gone wrong, I have to fix it or something worse will happen down the line" is the automatic reaction of someone who is just about clinging on/just beginning to see the way out of the darkness. Hopefully, with time & financially security, you will be able to get to the point of being able to take a breath when things happen, allowing you to make better decisions.

The whole Sam Vines Boots Theory about being able to buy better so buy cheaper over the long run is a great concept and whilst that is generally applied to purchases, almost any decision follows the same basis. Rarely do we make good decisions when we are either panicked or over-thinking.

 

[MDFam]

I now have renter's insurance. I just got $30k in coverage, 100% replacement costs with a $500 deductible, $100 liability, $10k guest and $30 per occupant replacemnt cost for $21 per month. That's nuts, Yet, my auto insurance is 20x that ($450) and has probably not even that amount of coverages, lol.

Have you shopped around for auto insurance? Do you have many claims? For three of us - my husband and I and 18 year old daughter - and three cars, two of which are less than 5 years old, we pay $300/month. We are in Maryland, so maybe Texas is super expensive for auto insurance, but even so, I would encourage you to do some serious insurance comparison shopping.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Correct. I have some of those game consoles (Atari, Nintendo N64, Sega). I have original boxes with some of them. I can't tell you how much I've been offered over the years for them. I got offered $500 for just my Nintendo NES with original box and all original content not long ago. I obviously turned it down, as those items are priceless to me since they're from my childhood and playing them brings back memories of being a 12-25 year old sitting around with my friends, hanging out, eating pizza and playing video games. Those were the days.

in large part the contents (personal property) values are b/c of the replacement value of video game consoles (the older ones in particular) and their games (older ones in particular are psycho expensive to replace) and some kind of anime related stuff (I know nothing about the genre except that the stuff is stupid expensive). then we added what replacement would run on furniture, household goods, clothing...it's crazy how it adds up. since you've got the coverage now it's well worth it to take quick snapshots of all your rooms (closeups of bookcase and drawers) b/c in case of loss you remember the big stuff but the individual items are hard to remember.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Yes, my insurance agent shopped it around in June when it jumped from $325/month to $450/month. No at fault accidents, no tickets in several years (knock on wood). The company we had was the lowest one around, she said. They said it jumped so much because the cost of replacement should it be needed jumped because of tariffs, which is understandable. Also, I'm in Dallas. So I'm sure that's part of the reason too.

Have you shopped around for auto insurance? Do you have many claims? For three of us - my husband and I and 18 year old daughter - and three cars, two of which are less than 5 years old, we pay $300/month. We are in Maryland, so maybe Texas is super expensive for auto insurance, but even so, I would encourage you to do some serious insurance comparison shopping.

 

[MDFam]

Yes, my insurance agent shopped it around in June when it jumped from $325/month to $450/month. No at fault accidents, no tickets in several years (knock on wood). The company we had was the lowest one around, she said. They said it jumped so much because the cost of replacement should it be needed jumped because of tariffs, which is understandable. Also, I'm in Dallas. So I'm sure that's part of the reason too.

Shop it around yourself by calling different companies or going to their websites and inputting your information - don't rely on an insurance agent who could be swayed by incentives from certain companies. I would think you could find a better quote than what you have. Tariffs affect the whole country, but not everyone's insurance is jumping by over a third like yours is.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Thanks. I will see what I can do. I just to leave her. It's a very close friend I've known for 40 years (graduated with her, lived in the same small town as her and she's been our agent for 25 years, lol). I almost hate to leave her side. But I will at least call Progressive (what we currently have). We did a 6 month plan, so I think it renews in December anyway.

Shop it around yourself by calling different companies or going to their websites and inputting your information - don't rely on an insurance agent who could be swayed by incentives from certain companies. I would think you could find a better quote than what you have. Tariffs affect the whole country, but not everyone's insurance is jumping by over a third like yours is.

 

[FreeTime]

@WDW_fan_in_TX I know it has been said before, you need to cancel your Disney trip. If your EF is shot, your car needs repairs, you are severely under water with your car and considering desperate moves to get out of it such as a high interest personal loan, you should not be going. You will have expenses while there that you can’t afford. Forget about the amount you will lose by not going and consider you will actually be out much more by going.

Also, I know about attachments to things and how many of us have them. It might be time to consider parting with the game consoles if you can get what you indicated for them. The freedom you will feel when you get out of this mess will feel so much better than the nostalgia.

 

[Bellex917]

@WDW_fan_in_TX I know it has been said before, you need to cancel your Disney trip. If your EF is shot, your car needs repairs, you are severely under water with your car and considering desperate moves to get out of it such as a high interest personal loan, you should not be going. You will have expenses while there that you can’t afford. Forget about the amount you will lose by not going and consider you will actually be out much more by going.

Also, I know about attachments to things and how many of us have them. It might be time to consider parting with the game consoles if you can get what you indicated for them. The freedom you will feel when you get out of this mess will feel so much better than the nostalgia.

The other thing is you don't usually "lose" this money- you usually get a credit that you can use when times are better.

We went to Disney in August. We had our room paid for (DVC) and our tickets/flights paid before we got there. I went down with $600 in Disney Rewards. We STILL spent a ton on food, etc. We are 4 people instead of 2, but even still.

 

[focusondisney]

@WDW_fan_in_TX I know it has been said before, you need to cancel your Disney trip. If your EF is shot, your car needs repairs, you are severely under water with your car and considering desperate moves to get out of it such as a high interest personal loan, you should not be going. You will have expenses while there that you can’t afford. Forget about the amount you will lose by not going and consider you will actually be out much more by going.

At 2+ weeks out, a Disney hotel room only reservation is still refundable & will probably cover a good chunk of their car repair bill. He posted less than a month ago he was worried they might have to use the emergency fund to buy groceries at the end of the month. Probably not advisable to plan a trip that costs as much as you have in an emergency fund.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Thanks for the tips and advice. The landlord fixed the toilet, and he was really appreciative that we called him to fix it. Also, we took out renters insurance, so I'm glad we did that. We got the car fixed, and I cash flowed that as it was only $315 ($200+ of which was just for labor, which should be criminal, but I digress). So everything is paid, and all groceries are bought for the week. And we just bought $60 worth of food to make for our Thanksgiving potluck at church tonight.

And still had money leftover to be able to contribute to a new Roth IRA I opened against DW's wishes (she's a loan officer at a bank and said Roth IRA's are not good in any way). Plus I paid extra on both credit cards without having to take out of the EF, and the EF is still fully intact. We just went a week with only eating out once (the one time I had to go with my coworkers out for a meeting). So I'm proud of us for eating at home for a whole week.

As far as the Disney trip, I know that's what everyone is harping on. We talked about canceling it and even called Southwest to do so. But we'd lose all that money if we don't fly before Dec. 4. So, I don't want to just give that money away. Literally everything is paid for, except for food. And we're not doing any parks. And not doing any extravagant restaurants. We also talked to Disney, and we'd get a credit. But we would not get our $300 back that we paid for our room at Sports for the 3 nights (that's the total we paid, not each night). So we'd lose over $600 if we don't go that has already been paid and that we can't get back.

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for the tips and advice. The landlord fixed the toilet, and he was really appreciative that we called him to fix it. Also, we took out renters insurance, so I'm glad we did that. We got the car fixed, and I cash flowed that as it was only $315 ($200+ of which was just for labor, which should be criminal, but I digress). So everything is paid, and all groceries are bought for the week. And we just bought $60 worth of food to make for our Thanksgiving potluck at church tonight.

And still had money leftover to be able to contribute to a new Roth IRA I opened against DW's wishes (she's a loan officer at a bank and said Roth IRA's are not good in any way). Plus I paid extra on both credit cards without having to take out of the EF, and the EF is still fully intact. We just went a week with only eating out once (the one time I had to go with my coworkers out for a meeting). So I'm proud of us for eating at home for a whole week.

As far as the Disney trip, I know that's what everyone is harping on. We talked about canceling it and even called Southwest to do so. But we'd lose all that money if we don't fly before Dec. 4. So, I don't want to just give that money away. Literally everything is paid for, except for food. And we're not doing any parks. And not doing any extravagant restaurants. We also talked to Disney, and we'd get a credit. But we would not get our $300 back that we paid for our room at Sports for the 3 nights (that's the total we paid, not each night). So we'd lose over $600 if we don't go that has already been paid and that we can't get back.

You are losing more than $600 by going. How are you getting to the resort from the airport? Mears - $, Uber - $, friend - $(at a min you should offer gas or a meal out). Non-extravagant places at Disney - $. What will you be doing? Pool time only? Entertaining yourself by riding the different modes of transportation? This will not be a cheap trip. How much do you have saved for it? Enough to charge nothing?