Convincing the CFO to Buy a Tractor

Bird · Oct 21, 2003

There have been lots of messages posted about convincing the CFO (wife) of the need to buy tractors and attachments. I read the following on iwon.com this morning; their daily "humor" blurb provided by The Reader's Digest.

( Many years ago my father's neighbor, who had always farmed with horses, decided to catch up with the times and buy a tractor. His wife was convinced that the purchase was unnecessary. After they had argued about it for several weeks, she exclaimed in frustration, "But you don't need a tractor!" "I know I don't need a tractor," he retorted. "I didn't need you, but I wanted you!" He got the tractor.

- submitted to Reader's Digest by W J McChesney
)

fivestring · Oct 21, 2003

They say that after about five days, the swelling in the left eye went down enough for him to see well enough to test drive the tractor!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hazmat · Oct 21, 2003

I've committed that one to memory. Might have to see if it works on the next big implement purchase.

frank_f15 · Oct 21, 2003

Bird: if i tried that line on the boss, she would tell me "i needed her just did not know it" truth being she probably is right /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but she still let me get my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Oct 21, 2003

Can you believe my girlfriend has her own tractor and 1-ton dually pickup? All that and she's a great cook and friend too. Now if I really get lucky, she'll be my CFO some day soon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman · Oct 21, 2003

Don't ruin a good friendship...... stay single..... I have come to believe that the marriage license fee should be $5000 and a divorce should cost no more than $10.00...... that way, there would be less of both prematurely!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 22, 2003

I heard this just this weekend from a DJ at a bachelor party.

"Instead of getting married why don't you just find a woman you hate and buy her a house? It'll save you a lot of time."

TCowner · Oct 22, 2003

Jim, I don't know, but I'm concerned with your plan.

As I understand it you have access to a second tractor and a one ton truck if you need it. All of this and she likes you, probably has a great sense of humor and thinks you are funny as well.

Now, you want to promote her to CFO with total control over you tractor purchases.

It seems to me that you should test her love. Order a TC45DA (or maybe the 48 or 55) grab a couple of new attachments as well, sit back and see what happens. If she doesn't bat an eye maybe, and I mean maybe, give her that promotion.

If, on the other hand, she gives you the slightest hint that your decision to trade was not a good one I would recommend that you re-think the promotion idea.

But she needs an early test. If she passes there is hope. If she fails the test then you should probably expect some trouble with future tractor purchases.

I am in a similar situation as is the original poster on this topic. I want to trade for a new TC45DA. The bank has approved the plan and the interest rate is actually lower than the current note. The dealer is giving me a great trade in price on my TC40D.

Now comes the hard part. As a married 49 year old man I will begin the process of approaching her with my hat in my hand to attempt the process of getting her (CFO) approval. I will be told over and over again that my current tractor is more than adequate for our needs. It will be a painful process.

Jim, you on the other hand, can march down to your NewHolland dealer with a pen in your hand and sign the order form for the new tractor and not feel the slightest bit of guilt.

I, on the other hand, even if I am sucessful in getting her (CFO) to agree to the new tractor, will lie awake at night wondering what retaliation is she planning. What argument will I use to counter her claim that we need new carpeting, new lawn furniture, or that dreaded vacation where you spend $5000 and have nothing to show for it when you get back.

So Jim my friend, she may be a lovely girl friend (most are) but girl friends who become CFOs often aren't as lovely when it comes to the new tractor. Get that new TC ordered today and let us know how she responded.

jinman · Oct 22, 2003

( Don't ruin a good friendship...... stay single..... )

I've been guilty of saying that a few times myself. I got divorced from my first wife of 7 years in 1974 and I've been single ever since. You'd think I would have adjusted by now, but I still get sweaty palms just thinking about how much "fun" my first marriage was. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif If you look in the dictionary under "independent old f_ _ t" you'll see my picture. Of course, that was before I met my lady friend and things are starting to change. Although, I may have forgotten how to "pop the question." /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

TCOwner, after the problems I had with my new tractor, I'm not too anxious to work all the bugs out of another one. I just passed 500 hours and I'm still amazed that my tractor is exactly what I want and need. If I have to have something shiny, I'll get a new paint job. If I want something really ugly and shiny, I'd get a new TC45DA. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Sorry, the more I look at the new style the more I just want to go out and "hug" my old TC45D. Now...there is this dozer I've been looking at.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kensfarm · Oct 22, 2003

"I just want to go out and "hug" my old TC45D"

I can see the headlines now.. "Man breaks it off w/ girlfriend.. says "I do" to TC45D!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JayC · Oct 22, 2003

lol!

How about this headline: "Man sells bride for newer model." /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

jinman · Oct 22, 2003

( Man breaks it off w/ girlfriend.. says "I do" to TC45D )

I don't think thats likely since you can have as many tractors as you want, but a wise man knows he should limit his girlfriends to only one. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However, he's allowed to hide the keys to the tractors from her. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Junkman · Oct 22, 2003

Why buy when you can borrow???? Why own a cow when you can get all the milk you want for free from a neighbor ??????

rdam · Oct 23, 2003

Headline:

"Junkman found on side of road. Police seek hit-and-run dually driver"

Junkman · Oct 24, 2003

Was I taken away in this????? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Junkman · Oct 24, 2003

or this?????????? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Junkman · Oct 24, 2003

rdam......... this is the last thing that I remember seeing comming at me before I was hit...... it doesn't look like a dually!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

rdam · Oct 24, 2003

LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 26, 2003

Jinman,

I've been single about two decades now and can really relate to the "independent" part of what you said. My current SO has made it very clear she'd like to upgrade her status. I doubt that's ever going to happen (can you tell she doesn't read this board? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).

I don't have the "sweaty palm" syndrome when I think of my marital experience that you mentioned. In fact, I spoke with my lovely former spouse on the phone just today and will probably run into her and her new husband tomorrow when we're all at our daughter's home.

So you can see that I'm not opposed to the idea of being married. I'm not unhappy being single either. Quite frankly, that is something that is just beyond the comprehension of my current SO. She can't seem to understand the value I place on coming home and just sitting down and watching a ballgame all by myself. Maybe it's that "independent" thing again.

One thing which I've made VERY clear is that regardless of what would ever transpire to change her status, she would never literally become the CFO. I don't care if she started making more money than me or what. I'll still make my own financial decisions and buy things like implements, equipment, tools and toys (like Goldwings) when I want. That's one area where I'll remain "independent" as ever.

You know... After reading this, I can't imagine why anyone would want to marry me, anyhow. :sink: I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quote, "I'd never want to belong to any organization that would have me as a member." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Oct 26, 2003

Gary, it's good you have a friendly relationship with your ex-wife. I wasn't meaning to deliver a comment about my ex-wife as much as to say my current lady friend is very aware of equipment needs for maintaining property, and she is also all I could ever hope for in a mate. Essentially, I was bragging about how lucky I am. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif After almost 30 years of being single, I'm sure it will take some adjustments to be married again.

Funny, I have told my lady friend that she is welcome to use my tractor anytime she wants, but she won't do it. She keeps saying that she's afraid she will break something. Normally she says that she'll use it "...one of these days." I usually retort that she should use it now because it's fully insured. Later, I may not have the same level of insurance. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif