debodun

I inherited a 125 year-old Victorian house in which the upkeep was very neglected. Needs roofing, wiring, plumbing, painting and could also used some energy efficient doors and windows. I've tried hiring contractors and they come and look over the work but I never hear from them again. I was telling a friend and she said it may be because I don't have a credit card. The workmen look up my credit rating and nothing shows, so that scares them off. I don't like paying cash - that way there's no recourse if the repair goes sour.

You'll say, "Just get a credit card." I am afraid of identity theft - I've had several relatives wiped out because of credit card problems. Other than the house, my needs are few - I don't travel and auto dealers are willing to accept a bank check for a car purchase, so I never had a reason to have a card.

After abdominal surgery, I will likely not be allowed to drive for a while, especially home from the hospital. I am a senior and live alone with no close relatives or anyone I feel comfortable imposing on since the hospital is about 30 miles away. To hire a taxi would cost more than the procedure. I've dropped some strong hints to people I know, but so far, no one has stepped forward to volunteer transportation or has had an excuse. Any suggestions?

I am trying to sell off items from an estate I inherited through Facebook Online Garage Sale, Marketplace and Craig's List. I do get a few nibbles, but invariably the person never shows up or is hours late. This seems to go way beyond being inconsiderate - do these people think I have all day to just wait around for them on the happenstance they actually might show up?

I tried clearing all Yahoo cookies, defrag my HD and running a virus scan. These procedures didn't help. I am using Firefox 86.0.1 as a browser and Windows 7 - 64 bit as the OS.

I see certain ads on these sites that say, "Must pick up in person". No offer of shipping or delivery. How do I know they aren't some homicidal maniac luring people to their residence with ads?

Difficult for me to tell if they would take it as a compliment or an insult. Sometimes people lose weight because of illness and don't want to be reminded. I've lost 20 pounds in the last year. I'd be pleased if someone noticed and complimented me, but nobody has mentioned that they noticed. That made me wonder about the propriety of asking.

I have noticed the last few weeks that when I go to put garbage in my bin, someone else has already made a "deposit". In our community, trash pickup is not included as a civic service. All homeowners must hire their own private waste removal company for this. There are mainly one-family homes in my neighbor hood with stable residents. If it was one of these families, I'd suspect it would have been occurring for a while now. There are two apartment houses, but they have their own dumpsters for the tenants to use. I can't figure out who might be doing this - only a cheapo who doesn't want to pay $50 a month for trash service and who has to trespass on my property. I had considered telling the local police, but they likely have more urgent things to do than chase this miscreant. Putting a lock on the bin would prevent the automated truck from emptying it. Any suggestions?

The brother-in-law of my mother's sister-in-law just passed away. I wanted to know if this relationship is close enough to warrant sending her a sympathy card. I don't know how close she was to her brother-in-law.

For instance, I wanted to buy a twin size mattress (only need a mattress). Went to a bedding store. The sales agent asked if it was for me. I said it was. She then asked why I would ever want a twin size mattress. I said I had always had a twin size bed. My foundation and frame are for twin size. She said twin beds are really only for children or for temporary use, like when you have company they might only stay a few days. Then of course, I'd have to get a new frame, a new foundation and new sheets to fit a larger mattress. I left the store feeling like I was being forced to buy something I didn't want. They lost a sale with those high-pressure tactics. Was she giving me the business saying that twin size beds are for kids or company?

I have been several times to the local jewelry store during the hours of business that are posted on the door only to find the shop dark and the door locked. I almost feel like reporting it to the chamber of commerce, but am dubious it would do much good.I am getting frustrated. This is the only jewelry store in town. To go to another would require at 30 mile round trip.

I inherited my mom's cookbook collection. There are over 100 and most date from the 1950s to 1990s. In addition to the books, that are many pamphlets, magazines and clippings. I thought if I advertised them on Facebook, Marketplace and Craig's List they'd be spoken for before I hit the SEND button, but so far not one inquiry. None are priced over $5 (and that's for really old and large books) and most are in the $1 to $2 range. I also offered a package deal - all for $100 (that's less than $1 each). Doesn't anyone cook anymore?

Lately my bed has been emitting a sickeningly sour smell. I washed everything (top sheet, fitted sheet, mattress cover and even the pillow), but nor the spread or blanket which smelled fine individually. While unmade, I sprayed the mattress with disinfectant spray. It smelled okay while everything was stripped off the mattress, but when I made the bed again, the odor returned. What else can I do?

I inherited a well-maintained 2002 Honda Civic LX sedan in good working condition in my parents estate. I advertised it for sale for $2000. An man answered the ad with an offer of $100. I PMed him back and asked where he got that figure. He said it was worth $200 as scrap and he has to make double. Would you sell that car for $100?

I inherited my parents' 2500 sq ft Victorian home packed with antiques, art prints, vintage china and glassware and many household items. I've had very little success trying to liquidate the contents. Antique dealers and auctioneers say the items aren't "high end" enough for them to bother with. I even tried having an estate sale, but only three people stopped and didn't buy. I've been asking people I know what they think the problem is and I've had answers like the impact the pandemic is having economically and that antiques are out and minimalist decor is in. The old collectors are dying off and young people aren't interested in antiques which they see as old used junk. Even the thrift shops aren't taking donations of material items now because they aren't selling anything. Will the interest in antiques and estate items ever recover?

I will be 69 soon. I inherited a house that needs a lot of work - my mom didn't keep up the maintenance after dad passed in 1983. I spent all summer getting estimates from  contractors and nothing's been done because I can't decide which will give me the best deal for the money. I lay the proposals side by side to try to compare but after a minute the words and figures just become a jumble. What can I do?

I used to enjoy going to stores to do holiday shopping - the cheery music, the bright lights and decorations, the happy enthusiastic shoppers. Now it just seems a rush and push - no joy in it any more - just the harried stressed faces of people and long lines at check-outs. You couldn't get me in a department store or shopping center until after Christmas if you drove and paid for my purchases.