What I do is get a firm price of what I want from shopping around, good for a few months or so. Maybe find sources on Craigslist or ebay, etc. Avoid new items.
Then I find small jobs or collect bottles and cans, buy and sell from estate or garage sales, plow a driveway, fix a neighbor's car, cut a field, fix a fence, restore a mailbox post. After a few months I have enough cash for a new (new or used) toy, a serious machine, any item on MY wish list.
Done. Since its my money to burn the choice is mine. She does the same. Regular pay or pension checks don't count (shared resources).
This process has produced a bass boat, a JLG Towable manlift, a worn-out diesel lawnmower that's been fixed up, a snowmobile, an antique railroad crossbuck (now working in the driveway), a 50 Bmg, a few vintage farm windmills, a pto generator and most recently a smaller inverter generator and lots of smalls. I buy clothes from Salvatore Armay's instead of new, save gas by eliminating trips and single runs. I do NOT cut back on things we do together (restaurant "dates") other shopping and her decorating tastes. Once you can show the value of the item in your wish list (including fun value and 'cool factor') she will trust you (more).
This process takes time (maybe years). Finding the jobs and the money actually becomes fun (sort of). Meanwhile, the Lowes mower could become a money pit. Charge her share the dealer cost but fix it yourself. Use it excessively. Same for the washer and dryer and her car.
Then I find small jobs or collect bottles and cans, buy and sell from estate or garage sales, plow a driveway, fix a neighbor's car, cut a field, fix a fence, restore a mailbox post. After a few months I have enough cash for a new (new or used) toy, a serious machine, any item on MY wish list.
Done. Since its my money to burn the choice is mine. She does the same. Regular pay or pension checks don't count (shared resources).
This process has produced a bass boat, a JLG Towable manlift, a worn-out diesel lawnmower that's been fixed up, a snowmobile, an antique railroad crossbuck (now working in the driveway), a 50 Bmg, a few vintage farm windmills, a pto generator and most recently a smaller inverter generator and lots of smalls. I buy clothes from Salvatore Armay's instead of new, save gas by eliminating trips and single runs. I do NOT cut back on things we do together (restaurant "dates") other shopping and her decorating tastes. Once you can show the value of the item in your wish list (including fun value and 'cool factor') she will trust you (more).
This process takes time (maybe years). Finding the jobs and the money actually becomes fun (sort of). Meanwhile, the Lowes mower could become a money pit. Charge her share the dealer cost but fix it yourself. Use it excessively. Same for the washer and dryer and her car.
Plus the little BX or equivalent will be easy and fun for her to operate also. You will find all kinds of things to do with your tractor and you place will look better for it. Tell her my wife approves of the purchase, and she wants to call and talk to her, Linda would be happy to back you up.
