Why ask the wife?

B

billybokay

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Messages
103
C'mon guys
We are not drinking and gambling with this stuff. We are buying tools to work on projects. Some of us make money with them, some save money by doing stuff ourselves. If we are struggling paycheck to paycheck, then maybe, but otherwise lose the guilt. Get what you need and want to do the work you do. I don't ever remember my wife asking me if she should buy this pair of shoes, or a new toaster or jeans for the kids or whatever.  She just gets what she needs.  Talk about a car , a boat or vacation, but don't talk about a $350 tool. Just get it.

 
Okay then, I'm getting the RO90 and the Workcenter, thanks Billy.....oh wait, I'm not married..... [big grin]
 
Different family dynamics come into play with each family.

Hey, your method works for you - great.

I prefer to discuss things with my wife / partner.  Do we always agree?  No.  For the record she has purchased the majority of my Festools.

Peter
 
I wonder how many guys who "run their house" turn out to be guys who are divorced? [blink]
 
my wife and I will talk about big ticket items.  Usually anything over $100.  Out of respect for each other AND to keep our check book in balance.  If she bought every hand bag or pair of shoes she wanted and I bought every tool I wanted....we would be living paycheck to paycheck.  But since we know who is buying what and when....we keep everything in balance and have no fights about money problems.   She gets her things and I get my tools...everyone is happy!
 
Nobody bothered to mention that buying most Festools includes systainers.  The systainer could be used as your wife's pocket book (spousal selling point).  Depending on how much she needed to carry that day, she could use a minisystainer on up to the maxi.  Some women really do need the size of the maxisys with how much stuff they have.  Actually, thinking about it, the sortainers might really replace their pocket books for the organizational value.
 
I don't ask or mention anything about buying a tool.
Of course the tools put the food on the table keep the roof
over our heads and all that jazz. Most everything gets discussed.
 
My approach is much simpler.  Before I make a Festool purchase, I buy a gift for my wife first.
 
Lol @ dsweetser...I'd probably go broke if I took your approach!

My stance is pretty much on point with Warner. My tools put the food on my table and pay my bills, etc. That being said, I have a lot of Festool. I certainly don't have everything, but I have what I need and I'm sure there's more in my future! 

I work alone and if something is going to make my life easier and my projects (both in the shop and in the field) run smoother, I'm all about it. That was one of the biggest draws to Festool for me in the first place.

Bob

ps. My wife works too and I don't question anything she buys...wink wink!
 
billybokay, sign me up for the He-Man Festool Society!

I'm kidding. I don't ask my wife and she would just say yes anyway. However, the woman is so good with money it kills me. I go and spend a grand on Festool and she tells me how she waited a while for some shirt to go on sale and got it for 15 instead of 25. That makes me feel like a heel. We aren't short on cash, don't go without, I never spend money on tools we don't have, I bought her the new car, mine is old, but if my wife was the one stocking up my shop, we may still have Festools, but everything else would have been purchased at a great deal.
 
Deke
I have to say my wife has a good job and is really good with money too. Neither of us is irresponsible with money. I just know that I work damn hard and are paying for 2 kids in college and 1 right behind and if I want a tool, there is no way I am asking for permission. Of course I think about it for a long time first and make wise decisions , but they are my decisions.
 
I think the forces are very different whether you are using the tools as a hobbyist or as tools to earn a living.
I have a corporate job and am a hobbyist woodworker.

Our rule is that 20% of any bonus I get each year gets split 50/50 between the wife and I as "toy money"; with which we can do what we like. (like buying tools / guitars etc)
Any other money for tools needs to be generated from the hobby itself.
e.g. I've made and sold a few marimba's.

The beauty of this system is twofold:
(a) There is never any guilt or explanation about buying anything you want ("yes - I do actually want to have 4 guitars and 2 routers dear")
(b) It's actually really fun bringing back the notion of living within "pocket money" and "savings". i.e. Money spent on this tool is not available for another. Really helps to focus the mind and also gives the pleasure of research.
(c) It's unbelievably satisfying to have a hobby that is (partly) self-financing - makes the hobby itself more valuable and fulfilling

 
billybokay said:
... Neither of us is irresponsible with money. I just know that I work damn hard and are paying for 2 kids in college and 1 right behind and if I want a tool, there is no way I am asking for permission.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. Many years of my wife and I working hard and most of it going for raising and educating the kids. Of course it was all worth it and I wouldn't change a thing, but now the kids are on their own and doing well, the house is paid for, and we have no other debts. My wife loves clothes and shoes, I love tools, and we each indulge ourselves as we please.

At least there are some advantages to growing older.  [big grin]

.
 
With Festools, I say:  do as the Marines do.  Ask forgiveness, not permission.  Of course, this has come back to bite me, once my wife figured out it could work for her too...
 
We kind of have a pre nup agreement, I keep my tools and she keeps the Chrysler 300!

Lambeater
 
Well, as the man of the house I wear the pants!

My wife tells me what color and when I can wear them....

Seriously though, we both ask each other about larger purchases, but it is pretty much 'you can get what you want as long as the bills are paid (which includes savings, investments, etc.).'
 
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