Frosty Christmas

[Furu]

I am a big believer in open communications with my spouse. She has been fully on board and has been involved in the tractor and implement decisions. She also looks at the cost analysis of what the alternative would be if we did not have the equipment.

 

[mpham]

My wife actually found the Kioti we bought. She was sick of hearing me gripe about freezing my butt off and not being able to get the driveway/street clean of snow. We test drove and purchased it together. I researched the snow blower and we decided on who we purchased it from.

 

[DennisFolsom]

I worked on my wife for a few years about the tractor purchase. A couple of years ago, she accompanied me to the local John Deere and Kubota dealer. She talked with the salesman and became convinced that I needed a larger unit than I was first looking at. My wife believes in shopping long and hard for a bargain in something used from a private party. She actually pointed out ads to me. Sometimes we went to see tractors that I didn't think were right just because she thought I ought to look at them.

When we did find the "right" deal last summer, she was supportive. She also believes in paying cash (no loans except to each other). She lent me $6,000 of the $20,000 price. I came up with the rest. I have since repaid half of the loan to her. I plan to repay the other $3,000 before the 1st anniversary of the tractor purchase.

My wife does not like to use the word "retired" but she is not working at this point. I am retired with a pension from a state government job, but am working nearly full time doing construction engineering. As long as I keep it reasonable (within what I can afford), the Mrs. doesn't object to me buying some attachments.

Looks like we have a good deal worked out. I'm a lucky guy.

 

[Shmudda]

I finally told the wife about the new tractor on Christmas morning. The peace, love and joy we were sharing suddenly disappeared and things got very frosty. Even the diamond earrings I got her wouldn't break the ice.
Guess I'll start ragging on her about what her horse costs a month. Or maybe let her hand shovel out our 1,200 ft. driveway.
Oh to be single again.

Hey....I bought a divorce tractor too....wife was pissed! Didn't talk to me for a few months. Those were the best months, no nagging, no bitching and no bothering....wow!!

Needless to say we had a few good snows, moved some trees around for her and did some other tasks that she wanted done. Now she see's the light and how useful that tractor is.

I wasn't as good as you though, getting her a tractor and diamond earrings. That would be heaven....for her!!.....:laughing:

Shmud

 

[rmk700]

I've learned it's best not to ask because it's usually 'no' and if you really really want you'll have to sneak to get it. That's when big trouble sets in. The best thing is to tell her your getting it and your just going to have to get over it. That up front stuff is a helova lot better than sneaking. :thumbsup:

 

[Mechanos]

It all depends on your particular situation.... I work and my wife works. I have my bank account and she has her bank account. Some money is put into the joint pot. I buy what I want to with my money, she buys what shes wants to with her money. We buy we want with our money. I don't ***** about her 900 pairs of shoes and matching purses and she doesn't ***** about my tractor, implements or tools.

 

[mjncad]

Oh to be single again.

No kidding, I miss being single too!

It's always easier to be forgiven than it is to get permission. LOL.

Not always; but generally it is.

Didn't talk to me for a few months. Those were the best months, no nagging, no bitching and no bothering....wow!!

Shmud

It's called serenity.

 

[qstott]

I called my wife from work one day, and said, "You know the Harley the boss has for sale? I bought it! If I ride it home, will you give me a ride back to work to pick up my truck, or will I need to come and load up my belongings, because you're kicking me out?" She said, "No, I won't kick you out, I'll take you back to work. Did you really buy it? "I said, no.....not yet, but I'm going to buy it now!"

 

[Depmandog]

Congrats on the tractor. Hopefully your wife doesn't ring your neck and you live long enough to get to use your new tractor .

I would never use our money to make a major purchase without discussing first with my wife. A multi thousand dollar item is something I would consider to be major.

We purchased a L5030 (used 332 hours) a month or so ago - but this was a planned purchase the both of us agreed on (and had been on the agenda for a couple of years).

We have been married for close to 26 years. Do we confer on everything? Heck no! She keeps a few bucks "tucked back" for discretionary spending, and I do the same. I have never asked to buy a gun, our a new router and she doesn't ask to buy her crafts or other stuff. But a multi thousand dollar purchase - I would be in the dog house / sleeping on the couch for weeks!

If you can keep your marriage going doing what you do, more power to you. I just know that if I did that - it would be very tough on our marriage. I kinda like my gal, and am going to try and keep her around for another 25 years.

Dean

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I called my wife from work one day, and said, "You know the Harley the boss has for sale? I bought it! If I ride it home, will you give me a ride back to work to pick up my truck, or will I need to come and load up my belongings, because you're kicking me out?" She said, "No, I won't kick you out, I'll take you back to work. Did you really buy it? "I said, no.....not yet, but I'm going to buy it now!"

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing: Priceless!
----------------------------------------------------
For my tractor, the wife was involved. I shared all the important points I learned here on TBN, about how it seemed I needed a bigger tractor than I originally expected, what attachments I might need, etc.

In fact she was SO INVOLVED that the Stump Grinder (most expensive of all my attachments) was HER idea to actually go ahead an purchase it now and use the heck out of it. I even call it HER Stump grinder!! :thumbsup:

I agree with all of those who advocated open and honest communication. My wife is my best friend and most trusted advisor.

I do NOT miss being single. Not even when we dissagree.

Just my 2 cents, your mileage may vary...
Happy 2012!
Be well,
David