Just finished reading “Cant stop buying…” post. One question ran thru my mind as I read about who was buying what and what they wish they could buy and may be lying about what they said they bought. How many of you railroaders sneak engines ,rolling stock,track,buildings in past the boss (wife) . Come on and admit it . I will be the first to admit after buying a certain number of engines (I think around number 25) that I could not think of any further explanations of why I needed this one. Besides I ran out of (logical sounding) explanations. I could come up with some realy stupid sounding excuse. Like I had more cabooses than engines or something along those lines. Any way I just got tired of lectures. I wanted to know if some of you would share some of your more -creative- sneaks ,excuses to buy or that inevitable instance in time when you have that deer in the headlights moment and you have been caught ?[X-)]
Well, this doesn’t work with everyone but seems to work with mine…I tell her that you can make money on the ne you are buying because it’s sold out and you saw it on eBay the other day fetching big money! Then once in a while, take her out for a decent meal and told her that’s the money from trading trains online. I don’t even have to explain anything anymore…hehehe
I’m the boss. No sneaking or lying required.[8D]
You fellas are devious.
I have made small purchases related to MRR without my wife’s knowledge, but they were all less than $50. When I am looking at a locomotive, though, since all my purchases are DCC and sound, I always run it past her. It is the honourable way to treat a friend.
Well , having a second wife ( first is dead ) she and I both realized getting married again at 45 years old that whats hers is hers and whats mine is mine. Basic ground rules set. She buys what she wants and I buy what I want. We both have our own incomes and my kids are all grown and gone.
Let’s see, the garage connects to the basement, where my workshop is. I come in with a bag of trains, put them in the workroom, and then say, “Hi, honey, I’m home.”
There is an advantage to having the womenfolk not be familiar with the details of the layout. They don’t even notice a new locomotive. Yes, the first sound loco needed some explaining. I found out how much was going out for her “theraputic massages,” and I now announce all train prices in those terms. The first sound steamer was “4 massages.” She hasn’t complained since. I’ve still got the engine, but all she’s got is another appointment…
I am single and never been married so I have no one to answer to. I can buy what I want, when I want - no justifications necessary.
I’d say if someone has to sneak stuff, then there are other more serious problems afoot.
Gotta agree with Crandell. Wife gets her things too; doesn’t run her fabrics, shoes, purses etc. by me, and I don’t always run by some of the rolling stock I’ve gotten over the net or at train shows. But locos–even though I’ve gotten reasonable deals on most all of them, I do run past her, particularly if it’s in the three figure range(yes, $100 or higher seems in the upper edge in my price range).
Jim
I don’t sneak. If something costs $10-30 ect., who cares. But we have a lot of money moving in and out of our accounts. So when I want to buy big I tell my wife about it. (I agree; good way to treat a friend) I do however tell her since I’m married and don’t chase other women,… I collect trains!
Nope don’t have problem but some where one the web if you google search “you might be a modelrailroader if…” with the quotes there should be two choices click on the first one and there are some tips on that sight.
Besides I think my most expensive locomotive is about $45 but then again I don’t know how much my train set cost…
Absolutely right.
My wife and I each get an allowance (for lack of a better term). This is $$ that we can spend on whatever we want for ourselves without being questioned. This $$ covers my train purchases, golf balls, greens fees, beers with the guys, ball games, etc.
I think there’s alot of TALK about how we’re sneakin stuff past the little woman. I know I do. Its to save face with the guys. I bet %90 of us do it. I’ve been married 35 yrs and have been a modeler all that time and have always run major ,over $100, purchases by my wife. A good rule to remember,when you’re wrong admit it,when you’re right,shut up.
It seems to me that pulling the wool over one’s partner’s eyes successfully makes it “right.”
Sort of like the unoffical version of the Royal Military College Cadet Corps’ motto: “Truth, Duty, Valour…and whatever you can get away with.”
Crandell,
So…when you run all your purchases past your wife, is that on the mainline or do you just use a siding? [:o)] Seriously, you are a wise man, Crandell.
Tom
Yeah, I agree too. If you think you need to sneak it past your wife, then you should do yourself (and your marriage) a big favor and don’t buy it.
My [2c] (which has kept me out of a lot of trouble).
You are probably right. And as Selector said, telling her is the honorable thing to do. Nice sounding words, but I get tired of the lectures. She eventually finds out anyway, because her curiosity and need to control gets the better of her. In the meantime, I get the little boy’s delight in thinking I got one by. [}:)]
One time, I tried explaining to her that I only exceed my hobby budget to the extent that eating at McDonald’s on business trips saves some out of the per diem allowance. Still got the lecture.
Bottom line with some women (like mine): I don’t like trains. Therefore, there is no good reason for you to like them either. Just like many of her other likes/dislikes. And of course my continuing with model railroading anyway, despite her best advice, really pushes her buttons.
To her credit, she is becoming more positive as we’re approaching anniversary #14. Last year, as I related in another thread, she suggested I needed to display my trains, which I took as permission to build a shelf layout. She also has not raised cain about me adding HOn3 to my collection, but I’m not sure she has realized the full implications of adding a different gauge (double the locomotives and rolling stock at 4 times the price [}:)] ).
yours in training
Fred W
Thanks, Tom…I’m trying really hard. It took all my discipline and self-control to refrain from bringing up that sweet Bachmann 2-6-6-2 deal at Micro Mark before she left the home to run errands this morning. She would almost certainly have given-in, but I have to learn to not put her in that position. She doesn’t want to give me a hard time over purchases, but neither does she want to make it seem like I can do whatever I want with “our” money. Also, I have to stick by my own rules, or what’s the point of makin’ 'em? The one about no more locos if I don’t have the room to park them on the layout is a reasonable one, I think…so many guys here have drawers and Rubber Maid tubs full of unused locos. In that respect, unless I have guessed wrong, you are much better than I.
-Regards,
-Crandell
That is just umm umm can’t even think of a good word for it. Imature doesn’t quite go where I want. You didn’t notice this umm umm condition while you were dating her?