Any members have a "Tool Budget" or "Tool Allowance?"

[TAMPAGT07]

I find myself only buying tools when I really need them. I was just wondering if you guys have an allowance and do you find it causes friction between you and the spouse. Also, do you talk to the spouse before buying an expensive tool. In the last several months, I bought a preowned air-compressor ($350), a Stant pressure tester ($100), and an antifreeze air bleed system ($100), all of which I told my wife I needed. She agreed and I bought the tools. I also proabably spent about $200 in various small tools.Take the poll..

 

[mrholeshot]

When I was a working tech my wife understood that my tools determined my income. Not an issue. Now that I'm retired and I buy and sell tools it still determines my income. If I don't buy I can't sell. If it goes over a 1000 dollars I like to discuss it with her.

Now if it was something for myself or for my own use I would talk it over with her. I don't need her permission but it's just that I'm a little impulsive and she is the voice of reason.

 

[IanG]

Yes, my budget for the month was $150 but I spent about $400. Oh well, budget restarted for this month .

 

[fordbroncodave]

i had a tool budget up until last October. been down hill ever since with over $2500 worth of tools and i don't even wrench on a daily basis

 

[american lockpicker]

Yes I have a budget and after a thing or 2 at Ultimate Garage and Harry Epstein I'll be done until September or so.

 

[muibubbles]

i generall buy a tool when i need it, other circumstances are when the tool is on sale and i know i will need it in the future or if the tool is a GREAT deal and i know i can put it into use

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I should add that I am 42 and have been collecting tools since I was a boy. So I already have most of what I need for everyday use. I'm still looking for a small Metal lathe, to make small parts. I am also split on whether I want to give up a bay in my three car garage to store more larger tools, but I would have to banish one of my cars to the driveway.

 

[Dewaynep]

No tool budget, per se. I do take most, if not all, of my profit from my second job (part-time repair shop) and put it back into tools and equipment.

 

[peelman]

Right now my budget is limited by my paychecks, or rather what’s left over...

I’m told that has to change since we’re getting married in 4 months...but I can almost throw a rock and hit the Menards across the street...so its difficult to say the least

 

[plinker]

I'll buy as needed or in advance if I see I'm going to remotely need it (has happened before).

No real budget, but I'm not going into debt either.

 

[DRhodes]

No budget for me. When I see a good deal I buy it. I'm an Accountant by day, so I dont use them everyday 8 -10 hours a day like some on here. I also buy alot of tools in bulk locally and resale on the internet which has turned a nice profit for me. I take my profit from those and reinvest in snap on tools for myself. I'm slowly phasing out all of my cman and proto stuff with snap on.

Derek

 

[Boost Creep]

I'll buy as needed or in advance if I see I'm going to remotely need it (has happened before).

No real budget, but I'm not going into debt either.

me too. usually wait around till i see a good deal on something pop up.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I also buy alot of tools in bulk locally and resale on the internet which has turned a nice profit for me. I take my profit from those and reinvest in snap on tools for myself. Derek

I really need to do this too...I've seen alot of sets on Craigslist, which I could take the tools that I want, and sell the rest on Ebay. I would end up getting them for free in the end. A while back, I bought three midrise lifts, cleaned them up, and sold two of them for what I paid for the three. So my Snap-On mid rise was a free-be in the end...

 

[saturdaymechanic]

No set budget for me, I'm married with a 5.5 month old daughter, so any tool money is usually what little personal money I have left over from my check.

If I see a deal, I'll grab it, If I need it for a job, I'll grab it, if I think I'll need it, I'll grab it or in the event of any extra $$$, I'll splurge.

I'm a DIYer so this works for me. I have a pretty good tool collection (Channel Lock, cman, Gear Wrench etc), but by no means is it filled with SO, MAC ect...although I would love some!

Hell, truth be told, I'll probably buy the tool anyway...

 

[DRhodes]

I really need to do this too...I've seen alot of sets on Craigslist, which I could take the tools that I want, and sell the rest on Ebay. I would end up getting them for free in the end. A while back, I bought three midrise lifts, cleaned them up, and sold two of them for what I paid for the three. So my Snap-On mid rise was a free-be in the end...

It has really worked out well. I can say my wife is very supportive of this because she knows in the end its saving me money. I lay down a sheet in the living room, and clean the tools up the best I can every evening while I'm watching tv. It's really neat getting a toolbox home, and going through it to see what you can find. I give all my china stuff to my brother where he welds it, and modifys it to his needs. You should try it, it really can work if you know what to look for.

 

[May Pop]

I get 25 a week and keep lunch money too. Adds up pretty quick. The wife is also pretty good about letting me use the charge card and not reimburse it.
Ron

 

[johninbanagher]

My Snap-on man gets up to 60euro a week from me... Thats dependant on what I buy, I think he likes to see me stepping on the van...

 

[48548]

I have a limit, but what makes it hard is my Snapon goto guy will get my anything for about 30% off of list and on the bogos, usually 10%.... So the problem is I want to get everything at that price because it is a deal.... The other thing I was thinking about selling the tools on ebay and have a BIN or auction and see if I can make some to help my spending problems.... I see a lot of stuff on ebay go for more than I pay for it new....

 

[4x4gearhead]

I dont really have a budget so to speak but I know when I cant afford to buy something at the time. When I do buy an expensive tool I buy first and beg for forgiveness later with the old lady, she understands usually though I have gotten out of hand a time or two and we are saving for a house, lately I have been phasing out cheaper stuff at work and taking it home for my side work so that I at least dont have to lug the basics back and forth.

 

[johnsdeere850j]

I've never been married so I can blow however much money I want on tools and toys.

 

[toolmaker1]

No wife = no budget if I need or want it and can pay cash for it it's mine! I justify it by knowing that the toys I buy will always have value, some guys drink away more than I spend on tools so at least I have something to show for it and also they have paid me back many times over in labor costs. I haven't paid a mechanic for anything but state inspections since I started driving over 20 years ago

 

[NY Old Guy]

I should join toolaholics anonymous. Every few days it's like 50 bucks, a hundred bucks, then 150 etc. Then muttering to myself OK gotta stop now then a week goes by and the cycle begins again. I keep hoping that no parcels will arrive when I'm not home to intercept them before my wife comes along. Just bought a nice little multimeter and 4 rolls of rolled up cork for my toolbox - sweet.

 

[johnsdeere850j]

I should join toolaholics anonymous. Every few days it's like 50 bucks, a hundred bucks, then 150 etc. Then muttering to myself OK gotta stop now then a week goes by and the cycle begins again. I keep hoping that no parcels will arrive when I'm not home to intercept them before my wife comes along. Just bought a nice little multimeter and 4 rolls of rolled up cork for my toolbox - sweet.

My buddies are the same way.. I can't figure out why the wife's green light or red light on the tool purchases matter at all if it aint her money.? I dunno, I've never been married.

 

[2oolhound]

With me it's simple. I just weigh out how badly I <s>want</s> need it with when the last time I ate was.
Who needs to diet when you're a gear junkie?

 

[crewchief888]

i dont have much of a "need to have" tool list anymore, those days are long gone.

if i'm working on something for myself in the garage, i can usually work my way around having to buy new tools.
over the last 4 or 5 years ive expanded my electric power tools, drills, grinders, saws, ect.
always used nothing but air at work, no need for anything electric.

anything new that i buy, i actually have a harder time justifying it to myself , than anyone else.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

I'm a computer geek and I generally work only on my own or friends vehicles.

This is me ----> "I buy tools that I will possibly use in the future."

I don't have a budget, as such.

I don't ask for my wife's opinion but nor does she contribute to the household expenses. Don't ask why... I gave up that argument -long- ago! I know what is left after paying the mortgage, insurance, utilities, groceries, fuel, RRSP's, etc, etc, etc. I keep a certain portion of my earnings for my use rather than family responsibilities.

After I convince myself of a need/want, then I wait for the right deal to come along.

I don't buy brand-new tools very often. I troll Princess Auto when they have 75% clearance sales.

Generally most of my purchases are done when I see a smokin' deal that should not be passed up. Auction sales, selected pawn shops, the occasional garage or estate sale, Kijiji, word-of-mouth, have been very fruitful for me.

Rob

 

[ajchien]

LOL.

I buy tools that I should have had previously for the last thing I did that was a PITA. So the next time Ill have the right stuff to do it easier. Did I just make any sense?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i have a set allowance that i use, and since the amount is a fairly low number i stock up ahead of time. plus if i buy ahead of time i have the tool when i need it.

 

[T56 Impala]

Buy what I need when I need it. Within reason. No lifts in my future!

As for my collection, I buy what I need to fill the empty slots. Whenever I find them unless my brain says "that's a stupid price" , then again, I have paid the stupid price before !

 

[c_mccann]

I have sold, traded all along the way- and added as needed. On the big stuff- I have waited for deals, have refurbished and looked for sales. But, I typically earn a few hundred extra bucks each year on a few side things I come across, that all goes into the tool fund.
Now, I am into getting rid of the excess hand tools and replacing with the dream tools I want..

 

[rwhite692]

....I find myself only buying tools when I really need them....

Your man card is hereby revoked....

 

[3classics]

no tool budget as same as dewaynep but my profits come from my garage shop