MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you sell a treasured trinket?

Saucepot

The watch would be more important than the phone, so I would keep the watch.

Taffybiker

I would contact the phone company and ask for time to pay. I realise this would probably affect my credit rating but if I am that desperate it would be silly to take out credit anyway. If they refuse then I would allow the phone to be cut off, and offer to pay a regular amount of whatever I could afford. Sometimes companies will call your bluff and threaten court action. You need only to remind them that a court will most likely check your finances and they will be awarded even less. "Go ahead, take me to court" pretty much confirms you are broke and most will accept your offer. Otherwise, don't be afraid and actually go to court. The judge will not make you pay money you don't have, especially if you have dependent family.

just22

Realistically if you're that close to the wire, you should really be looking at how to cut down month to month costs, not thinking about what will work for this month.

I've been in the situation where I've locked away too much of my savings and ended up selling off all kinds of crap from my flat to pay off the credit card at the end of the month. Never missed a payment for anything though, and never sold anything I actually cared about.

dave2

I have a duty to pay my debts so I must do so if possible. Assuming I have exhausted all other options, I would either sell it or if I really liked it, I would follow Countertenor's advice and pawn it.

However if the watch is of substantial sentimental or historical significance (not liking something isn't the only reason for keeping something safely tucked away!) then I may take the view that I am merely the person entrusted to take care of it until I pass it down to the next generation.

lillian_2

yes i would, infact i am doing at the moment, have sold a few important things to try get me out of debt, next to go is my wedding dress... not very nice feeling to sell the things that mean so much to me but at the end of the day they are just things, better they go to some good use than collect dust in my home while i'm struggaling to keep the roof over my head.

paulwellerfan

dam right a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... so to speak:j

jgriggle

The question to ask yourself is "what would the person who gave this to me have thought I should do" One type of Aunt maybe would have disapprove of getting into debt like that and that would play on your mind. Another type may think you're silly holding on to something that you never use when it could be your key to getting out of trouble.

I recently sold a gold watch that belonged to my Great Uncle, in order to pay for mine and my fiancee's wedding rings. It had sat in the back of a drawer for years and I know that my Aunt and Uncle would have been thrilled to know it went to such a good cause, rather than lying around in the back of a drawer.

Anja

Yes, I think now is a good time as the gold price is supposed to be at its highest at the moment.

englishmac

No I wouldn't. The phone bill issue is temporary - if it isn't the only debt problem then I am headed for trouble that will take more than the value of the treasured item to solve anyway. I have a jewelry gift that I very rarely wear because I am so worried I lose it. It is still a treasured item. I can't replace the sentiment behind the giving of the gift. I can well do without a phone service for a while if they cut me off - which they might not do if I contact them and agree a repayment plan. And anyway, if my debt problem is bad, I will probably welcome the lack of a phone cos I won't be getting hassled by all my nasty creditors!!

splish

no....... would not sell it for this reason alone e.g. a known bill... for this should already have been budgeted for.. but yes I would think about it for something completely unexpected.