Let it all hangout -- The Grumpies, whinies, complainies Get It Off Your Chest Thread....

[SandraLynn]

Our auto and homeowner's insurance both increased this year.

Not to mention I think our house taxes have close to doubled in the last 3 years

 

[missy]

Thanks @missy, I used to work for an insurance agency in my, ahem, younger and child-free years, so I actually do expect an increase yearly. Still think it’s a racket though as is most insurance.

Agreed. We have NEVER made a claim and 15% hurt because we are paying a LOT for our insurance but it is great insurance and will pay cash out for jewelry as an example. But OMG I hope it doesn't keep going up that much...I agree most insurance is a racket but I cannot go without it. I am a very risk adverse individual and so it's worth it to pay despite the exorbitant cost. For us. I try not to think of all the money I could have saved not having insurance. I could have bought an amazing piece of bling. Sigh

 

[missy]

Not to mention I think our house taxes have close to doubled in the last 3 years

Oh yes. Unreal how much our property tax has gone up here and our monthly maintenance in our NYC coop. It's nuts

 

[RMOO]

Do blanket manufacturers not understand how a blanket goes on a bed and that people actually sleep under them? I am adding our cotton blanket as the weather has turned cooler and the blanket has about 2 inches on the bottom to tuck under and only about 6 inches hanging down each side. Every morning I basically have to remake the bed because it gets pulled out over night. Grrr!!

 

[pearlsngems]

Do blanket manufacturers not understand how a blanket goes on a bed and that people actually sleep under them? I am adding our cotton blanket as the weather has turned cooler and the blanket has about 2 inches on the bottom to tuck under and only about 6 inches hanging down each side. Every morning I basically have to remake the bed because it gets pulled out over night. Grrr!!

It is maddening.
This is why I now buy King size blankets-- and top sheets-- for our Queen size bed.

 

[seaurchin]

Now I only use a mattress pad, bottom sheet, pillowcases and two machine washable twin blankets. No more annoyingly complicated bedmaking/washing or fighting over the covers. Not all that cute but it is easy-peasy.

 

[pearlsngems]

Now I only use a mattress pad, bottom sheet, pillowcases and two machine washable twin blankets. No more annoyingly complicated bedmaking/washing or fighting over the covers. Not all that cute but it is easy-peasy.

Hubby is always colder than I am. I'm happy with just the top sheet now-- AC set at 76 and ceiling fan on low-- while he wants his extra large throw folded at the foot of the bed so he can pull it up when he gets cold.

Then at some point this fall, I'll begin using my own throw on my side of the bed whenever I'm chilly. We don't put the king size blanket on the bed until it's reliably cold enough that we both want it every night. And then hubby often layers his throw on top of the blanket on his side!

Complicated, but it works.

 

[Lookinagain]

Do blanket manufacturers not understand how a blanket goes on a bed and that people actually sleep under them? I am adding our cotton blanket as the weather has turned cooler and the blanket has about 2 inches on the bottom to tuck under and only about 6 inches hanging down each side. Every morning I basically have to remake the bed because it gets pulled out over night. Grrr!!

These muslin blankets are over sized. I have a king size bed and their king size blanket has plenty of length to tuck under the foot of the bed (and I have a deep mattress) and a decent amount hangs over the sides. You could check out the measurements and see if one of these could help you. A lot depends on how deep your mattress is.

The 365 Blanket™ | Muslin Blanket - Try Our Breathable Oversized King Comforter

Say hello to The 365 Blanket™ and say goodbye to night sweats! Sleep in luxury under our breathable, temperature-regulating, durable 100% pure OEKO-TEX certified muslin cotton comforter. Hugely oversized to fully covers any mattress & avoid fighting over covers! Pre-shrunk.

muslincomfort.com

 

[RMOO]

These muslin blankets are over sized. I have a king size bed and their king size blanket has plenty of length to tuck under the foot of the bed (and I have a deep mattress) and a decent amount hangs over the sides. You could check out the measurements and see if one of these could help you. A lot depends on how deep your mattress is.

The 365 Blanket™ | Muslin Blanket - Try Our Breathable Oversized King Comforter

Say hello to The 365 Blanket™ and say goodbye to night sweats! Sleep in luxury under our breathable, temperature-regulating, durable 100% pure OEKO-TEX certified muslin cotton comforter. Hugely oversized to fully covers any mattress & avoid fighting over covers! Pre-shrunk.

muslincomfort.com

Thanks, I'll check them out! The blanket I have was from the Company Stores oversized line (not sure if they still carry it or not) but just does not cut it. On the other beds in the house I bought one size up, but our master bed is a king.

 

[Lookinagain]

Thanks, I'll check them out! The blanket I have was from the Company Stores oversized line (not sure if they still carry it or not) but just does not cut it. On the other beds in the house I bought one size up, but our master bed is a king.

Well, I can only say that I always had your same problem in the past and this is the best fitting one I can find. I don't know where you live, but they do have a lighter weight one and also a heavier one so look at those too. I'm not sure if those measurements are the same.

 

[RMOO]

Well, I can only say that I always had your same problem in the past and this is the best fitting one I can find. I don't know where you live, but they do have a lighter weight one and also a heavier one so look at those too. I'm not sure if those measurements are the same.

One question, I see in some of the descriptions they call it a bedspread-are these suitable for layering with a top sheet? (we also add a metelasse coverlet for really cold nights)

 

[Lookinagain]

One question, I see in some of the descriptions they call it a bedspread-are these suitable for layering with a top sheet? (we also add a metelasse coverlet for really cold nights)

Well, I put it over my top sheet and use it instead of a bedspread. But I sleep with it on the bed night. I don't remove it like I would what I think of as a bedspread. To me it's more of a blanket that covers the bed enough to function as a bed spread. I probably wouldn't put it under a top sheet, but I guess you could. I also think you could probably put a bedspread over it, but honestly I've never found a metelasse that gave the coverage this does, so I'm not sure the metelasse would work to hide it. You'd have to measure your metelasse and compare the measurements. I like the temp cold at night. The one I have is the 365. I keep my house at 67 F. at night and use this pretty much year round in New England and honestly sometimes I'm too warm but I get pretty warm while sleeping. Night time comfort is really personal. I will say it is not light weight in the sense that when I wash it, it's fairly heavy to carry. But for me, it's the thing that works the best. I did think about buying the lightweight one now that they are making that to use in the summer.....

 

[RMOO]

Well, I put it over my top sheet and use it instead of a bedspread. But I sleep with it on the bed night. I don't remove it like I would what I think of as a bedspread. To me it's more of a blanket that covers the bed enough to function as a bed spread. I probably wouldn't put it under a top sheet, but I guess you could. I also think you could probably put a bedspread over it, but honestly I've never found a metelasse that gave the coverage this does, so I'm not sure the metelasse would work to hide it. You'd have to measure your metelasse and compare the measurements. I like the temp cold at night. The one I have is the 365. I keep my house at 67 F. at night and use this pretty much year round in New England and honestly sometimes I'm too warm but I get pretty warm while sleeping. Night time comfort is really personal. I will say it is not light weight in the sense that when I wash it, it's fairly heavy to carry. But for me, it's the thing that works the best. I did think about buying the lightweight one now that they are making that to use in the summer.....

This helps. thank you!

 

[seaurchin]

Finally got covid.

 

[Lookinagain]

Finally got covid.

I hope you have a mild case and recover quickly.

 

[clarity1264]

What can one say when there is so much to say yet no words to describe what you’re feeling. I’ve been having a lot of trouble sleeping recently. I’ve only been getting 3-4 hours of sleep for the past two months. Not to overshare, but I was recently prescribed sleeping medication, but it hasn’t been working as I had anticipated. A family member used to always say that insomnia was caused by a guilty conscience. Maybe she’s right, but maybe she’s wrong. I do feel guilty. Therapy has taught me a lot. One being, I can only control my emotions and my actions. The other being, I can’t control how someone feels or acts. Lately, past mistakes and faults are keeping me up at night. My therapist tells me that I can’t take all of the blame, or fault, but I often do. My therapist also told me that if you manifest positivity and love for another person, even if they are unaware, they lead happier lives. I hope this is true. I lost a very important relationship a few years ago (family), and I still keep myself up at night trying to decipher what lead up to the failed relationship and how much blame I take. It’s hard to accept that I’m only a part of the equation, and to think there is something I could have done to prevent the outcome. However, that’s not true. Yet, I’m still awake, with words unsaid and love misplaced. I often wonder if they feel the same way. If they are awake at night too, or if they know how much I love them. A part of me is angry that they left, and didn’t take the time to know me or my intentions. Yet, another part of me is sad for them. That they missed out on a truly wonderful person. I know this is pretty cryptic, but just putting it out in the universe will hopefully help me sleep better and come to a resolution. A resolution that requires not knowing. Anyways, appreciate the listen/like/comment.

Sincerely,
Taking it one day at a time

 

[seaurchin]

What can one say when there is so much to say yet no words to describe what you’re feeling. I’ve been having a lot of trouble sleeping recently. I’ve only been getting 3-4 hours of sleep for the past two months. Not to overshare, but I was recently prescribed sleeping medication, but it hasn’t been working as I had anticipated. A family member used to always say that insomnia was caused by a guilty conscience. Maybe she’s right, but maybe she’s wrong. I do feel guilty. Therapy has taught me a lot. One being, I can only control my emotions and my actions. The other being, I can’t control how someone feels or acts. Lately, past mistakes and faults are keeping me up at night. My therapist tells me that I can’t take all of the blame, or fault, but I often do. My therapist also told me that if you manifest positivity and love for another person, even if they are unaware, they lead happier lives. I hope this is true. I lost a very important relationship a few years ago (family), and I still keep myself up at night trying to decipher what lead up to the failed relationship and how much blame I take. It’s hard to accept that I’m only a part of the equation, and to think there is something I could have done to prevent the outcome. However, that’s not true. Yet, I’m still awake, with words unsaid and love misplaced. I often wonder if they feel the same way. If they are awake at night too, or if they know how much I love them. A part of me is angry that they left, and didn’t take the time to know me or my intentions. Yet, another part of me is sad for them. That they missed out on a truly wonderful person. I know this is pretty cryptic, but just putting it out in the universe will hopefully help me sleep better and come to a resolution. A resolution that requires not knowing. Anyways, appreciate the listen/like/comment.

Sincerely,
Taking it one day at a time

Sorry you’re having a hard time.

Over time, we collect more good memories but also more sorrows imo.

No idea if this will help you but one little trick I do when I can’t sleep because mess is going round and round in my mind is just tell myself (sometimes repeatedly) that I’ll think about whatever it is tomorrow, not right now. So simple but it really does work for me.

I feel like some people naturally have a good on/off switch in their minds and others (like me) have to work much harder to get one.

Jmo and best wishes.

 

[stracci2000]

Farmers Insurance just raised our home insurance by $500.
Because they can........those f*ckers.

DH called Farmers to complain.
They are now going to rewrite our policy and drop the $500 increase.
No explanation, no apologies, just vague excuses for the increase.
@#$&%!!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, as enraging as it is, at least the end result is you will avoid that increase.

 

[stracci2000]

@YadaYadaYada
Insurance is just so weird and mysterious. They can raise your rates, lower your rates, keep them the same........
And there's no way to know how they came about those figures.
Is there a formula?
Or do the CEOs just need another yacht?
Crazy, huh?

 

[RMOO]

@YadaYadaYada
Insurance is just so weird and mysterious. They can raise your rates, lower your rates, keep them the same........
And there's no way to know how they came about those figures.
Is there a formula?
Or do the CEOs just need another yacht?
Crazy, huh?

Several of my family members work in the insurance industry, and this is what they tell me: the earnings of the company (or at least the ones that they work for) are the earnings that they make by investing your premium dollars while they have them. The premiums themselves are determined by the claim payouts that occur. In other words, if all the collective premium dollars are paid out in claims, the premiums will go up to make up any shortfall. So what that means is, if one area of the country where they sell policies has a natural disaster, etc., and they pay out a lot in coverage, then we ALL pay more. This is something that pisses me off as I live in Michigan where we do not have earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, major flooding, or tornadoes of significance, but we pay for them nonetheless.

Yes, there is a formula, and lots of math (my daughter is an actuary.)

Edited to add that the CEO's compensation comes from the investment profits, not premium dollars.

 

[stracci2000]

Several of my family members work in the insurance industry, and this is what they tell me: the earnings of the company (or at least the ones that they work for) are the earnings that they make by investing your premium dollars while they have them. The premiums themselves are determined by the claim payouts that occur. In other words, if all the collective premium dollars are paid out in claims, the premiums will go up to make up any shortfall. So what that means is, if one area of the country where they sell policies has a natural disaster, etc., and they pay out a lot in coverage, then we ALL pay more. This is something that pisses me off as I live in Michigan where we do not have earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, major flooding, or tornadoes of significance, but we pay for them nonetheless.

Yes, there is a formula, and lots of math (my daughter is an actuary.)

Edited to add that the CEO's compensation comes from the investment profits, not premium dollars.

Interesting.
The question is ...why did they raise our homeowner rates from $1100 to $1600?
That's a 45% increase.
And the fact that they are willing to change it back tells me that there may have been some kind of error.

There were forest fires in our state last year, but relatively few homes were destroyed.
Of course the hurricanes in Florida didn't help.
Nevertheless, I really hate insurance.

 

[Lookinagain]

Interesting.
The question is ...why did they raise our homeowner rates from $1100 to $1600?
That's a 45% increase.
And the fact that they are willing to change it back tells me that there may have been some kind of error.

There were forest fires in our state last year, but relatively few homes were destroyed.
Of course the hurricanes in Florida didn't help.
Nevertheless, I really hate insurance.

Sounds like it's because, like you say, there were big losses in other states and I assume, if your company is national, that it all rolls into the same loss pool.

But the fact that they are willing to reduce it is interesting. Perhaps they worry you'll shop around a get a better rate from a competitor?

 

[stracci2000]

Sounds like it's because, like you say, there were big losses in other states and I assume, if your company is national, that it all rolls into the same loss pool.

But the fact that they are willing to reduce it is interesting. Perhaps they worry you'll shop around a get a better rate from a competitor?

I don't know exactly what was said. DH
spoke to Farmers, not me.
He never asks the questions that I would, and he probably didn't get bitchy with them like I would've. He's far too nice with people on the phone.

I would've threatened to leave them if they persist with the increase, but maybe they know that they will lose customers if they make these sharp increases.

 

[Tartansparkles]

I think insurers take the chance that some customers won't check or query any increase (I know my DH wouldn't notice till it was too late). So they bump up your insurance and bring it back down if you challenge it. For every person who challenges the increase I'm sure there will be loads of people who don't, so they win regardless.

 

[stracci2000]

I think insurers take the chance that some customers won't check or query any increase (I know my DH wouldn't notice till it was too late). So they bump up your insurance and bring it back down if you challenge it. For every person who challenges the increase I'm sure there will be loads of people who don't, so they win regardless.

This is what I've been thinking, too.
They just assume people will go along with the increase because they are too busy to notice and $500 is not a big deal to some people.

 

[dk168]

Finally got covid.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and the symptoms not too bad for you!

DK (hugs)

 

[seaurchin]

Covid has been a bit rough, even with both being fully vaccinated and with Paxlovid and ritonavir prescriptions. I don't even want to think about how this could have gone otherwise.

We went on a trip and took N95 masks for the plane and other close contact situations but then (moronically) decided we didn't really need to bother with them. So here we are.

For me, the worst part by far are the sudden coughing fits where I can't catch my breath. Today seems a little bit better.

Here's what's helped the coughing fits fwiw:

Take Robitussin

When coughing, try to take a deep breath, then cough, so it's more productive and also more controlled (emotionally).

Sleep in a recliner

Drink lots of water

 

[RMOO]

Covid has been a bit rough, even with both being fully vaccinated and with Paxlovid and ritonavir prescriptions. I don't even want to think about how this could have gone otherwise.

We went on a trip and took N95 masks for the plane and other close contact situations but then (moronically) decided we didn't really need to bother with them. So here we are.

For me, the worst part by far are the sudden coughing fits where I can't catch my breath. Today seems a little bit better.

Here's what's helped the coughing fits fwiw:

Take Robitussin

When coughing, try to take a deep breath, then cough, so it's more productive and also more controlled (emotionally).

Sleep in a recliner

Drink lots of water

Take care of yourself - I hope you start feeling much better soon.

 

[stracci2000]

Covid has been a bit rough, even with both being fully vaccinated and with Paxlovid and ritonavir prescriptions. I don't even want to think about how this could have gone otherwise.

We went on a trip and took N95 masks for the plane and other close contact situations but then (moronically) decided we didn't really need to bother with them. So here we are.

For me, the worst part by far are the sudden coughing fits where I can't catch my breath. Today seems a little bit better.

Here's what's helped the coughing fits fwiw:

Take Robitussin

When coughing, try to take a deep breath, then cough, so it's more productive and also more controlled (emotionally).

Sleep in a recliner

Drink lots of water

Oh no! This sounds awful.
I hope you feel much better soon!