If you use Gmail here's a fallback option: Gmail ignores "." in the local part. So foo.bar is the same as f.ooba.r to Gmail. Obviously quite limited and more hassle to keep track of.
> I also get a lot of email from idiots who don't know their own address
Holy crap there are a lot of them. I've got one bank sending me the dude's statements. He's also been on some interesting trips, seen all his hotel stays, etc.
The other finally figured it out but his wife still hasn't after more than a decade. It gets really old receiving reminders to service a vehicle I've never owned from a dealership 2000 miles away among other similar crap.