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Wives and tools - anyone else honest?

toolslut6.0

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Aug 16, 2014
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195
Me and my girlfriend of 3 years talk about everything. If I think I need it I get it. If it makes my life easier she tells me to get it. She has figured out the that the less time it takes me to do something the less overtime I have and the more time I can be at our home with her
 
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BBChevro

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Jan 24, 2014
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2,235
Location
Brisbane, Qld., Australia
I don’t like hiding things from my wife. Never actually felt the need to do so, especially when it comes to buying tools. Buying tools usually means repairing and or building something yourself which translates into saving money. My wife knows this as I do all the home repair / remodeling, auto repairs and virtually anything else that should come along needing work done.

Its best to be honest and open in a relationship and you won’t have to hide when using those new tools you just sneaked into the garage! :lol_hitti

No need to lie. It's a nice part about our relationship.

95% of the upgrades to our home happened because I've got the tools/know-how to do so. The tool costs are nothing compared to what it would have cost if someone else did the work. The difference is probably 6 figures saved... seriously.

Edit: I should add, we're pretty frugal and although I love high quality (name brand) tools, I still get some of what I need used or rebuild something that was an expensive tool that the owner didn't know how to fix. My "investment" is considerably less but the quality of tools is not.

Edit 2: As far as when I'm dead and gone... this topic has come up since we're working on a will/trust. I've started an inventory of tools and such and will be having a knowledgeable person handle selling anything that is decided not to be kept. That way, things will be easier for her since she doesn't even know what most of the tools accomplish.


That's pretty much the case here too, the tools and equipment that I purchase (as well as the ones that I already had) have paid for themselves many times over.
The ability to use said tools has probably had some influence as well. :lol:
 

rtole

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Jan 25, 2014
Messages
366
My wife is an accountant. So if we want a better tax return I need to give her recipts. I have no prayer of hiding purchases. I dont always ask. I did get busted a couple years ago when I bought my krsc46. She walked into the shop.........my kids pictures were on the cart........my buddy almost got the lid down before she saw it.........but he was checking out her *** for a few seconds before it clicked! It was a nice gesture.......and I never told him to do that. I was in her direct sight so I couldnt close the lid to hide it. She only brings it up once in awhile, and never in a bad way.......she wasnt happy, but not real mad either. Tool storage has always been short for me, so it has always been obvious I needed another box. (and still need more) I had to quit buying tools untill the cart was paid for, cause that payment is all the budget allows. 100 bucks a month for tool payments. Thats all I get weather I buy a box or a screwdriver. Sometimes I get tips or do cash work for another employee, and I buy tools with that. She gives me what we can afford after bills and food. How I spend it is up to me. I have no idea what she spends on clothes, and I dont care. She is in charge of the money, like I am in charge of our vehicles. Its what I do for a living, and she manages money for a living. Seem only common sense in my situation. I have no idea how she stretches our money the way she does. She does cut her own hair, and does not get her nails done or anything like that. She looks great, manages our money like a champ, and bakes like nobodys business! I am one lucky guy!
 

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
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5,975
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Cleveland Ohio
My wife and I share a bank account, she can see what I've spent on anything she wants, anytime she wants. She honestly doesn't care because we still put away plenty of money each month, and she also buys what she wants to buy. Both of us are responsible with our purchases and always were, even before we met. Be it tools, car parts, what have you... it's a non-issue for me. :thumbup:

Pretty much sums up the wife and I. We know when want purchases are not in the budget be it tools for me or purse for her. She knows that my tools are needed to do my job and to fix things around the house. She knows that we have saved a bunch of money by me doing things myself.
 

dsimatt

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Dec 9, 2012
Messages
6,458
My GF told me already that i need tools to do my job and she is fine with me buying waht i need, she doesn't have really any say with my money anyways. I just ordered a new impact and air rachet online that because of this place i got them for a little over $300 versus 500+ what the truck would have cost.

We got a guy at work that always talks big about buying tools but never does because his wife might get mad or he can only spend so much, while she sits on her *** collecting dissability.
 

beatcad

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Sep 15, 2013
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4,520
Location
NOVA
my wife buys whatever clothes/shoes/nail polish she wants
i buy whatever tools i want.
no problem, no questions.
yes there will be some eyerolling on both sides:rolleyes:
but we're cool.
by "we're" cool i mean she's cool:rocker:
 

blown94conv

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Apr 2, 2007
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854
Location
Berlin, CT
My wife isn't concerned, and doesn't ask. She knows when I get something, because like a new kid I have to show her. If I ever gave her a total number it might raise an eyebrow, but the bills are paid, food is on table and kids are clothed.
 

RECox286

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Apr 11, 2012
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1,399
Location
South Joisey (yeah, that is part of the USA)
Since I wrenched for a while during the early years of our marriage

my bride knows exactly how much cheaper the tools are to keep our

vehicles in running condition. Front end alignments and A/C are the

only things I've ever farmed out. She knows how much my shop has

saved us...no complaints. Likewise, she has tools and machinery to

pursue her interests, which have also been a savings over goods and

services from the retail market. I won't go into the gun collection or

what I have in reloading equipment, as that is our collective hobby.

Uncle Bob
 

slip knot

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Mar 22, 2010
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2,861
Location
Texas gulf coast
The wife and I have seperate bank accounts. We split the bills between us @ equally. If we buy any big ticket items such as a new car or another rent house we discuss it. If I buy a $3-4 K tractor or truck she doesn't care as long as the bills get paid. When she wants a new washer or a closet re-model, go for it.

Tools are no big deal as long as I show her how to use them. She wants a plasma cutter for her craft projects!!!
 

cowboy73

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Feb 13, 2010
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2,609
Location
southern Indiana
I always tell her. No need to keep it a secret. I usually don't spend that much anyway, and if it's a lot we discuss it first. She tells me what she spends and is always willing to show me the receipts. No need for deception.
 

kluckfab

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Sep 27, 2012
Messages
151
I am honest with tools i purchase and the wife knows i need them. However there are times we discuss major purchase and there is times well you have slide some under the tool bench, ask forgiveness afterwards.
 

STANIMAL

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Nov 14, 2011
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chicago
Some of you guys really surprise me . I didnt really think wives ask about these things or even care . I know mine doesnt .
 

AndrewV

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Dec 28, 2013
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Location
Fl
My gf has more in baking equipment, stoves, and stuff than i do in $15k in tools.
Yeah, im slacking by some of the guys standards.
 

jd_1138

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May 8, 2013
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17,053
Location
NE Ohio
Tools are not like a frivolous expense. They save you thousands of dollars if you fix things yourself. I am here at my mom's helping her, and I needed some needle nose pliers. There were some in my stepddad's box, but they weren't long and skinny enough. Doh! Pretty much need one of everything and every size.
 

jd_1138

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NE Ohio
Some of you guys really surprise me . I didnt really think wives ask about these things or even care . I know mine doesnt .

Some wives only care in so far as they'd rather you not buy tools so they can have more money to spend on $300 pairs of shoes and nonsense like that. :eyecrazy:
 

STANIMAL

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Nov 14, 2011
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chicago
Some wives only care in so far as they'd rather you not buy tools so they can have more money to spend on $300 pairs of shoes and nonsense like that. :eyecrazy:
Stanimal dont play that . Three hundred dollar shoes ?! They better walk themselves to work .
 

DieselSaves

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Dec 9, 2012
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848
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Big Sky Country
I met my wife when I bought her old car. She blew the engine in it and needed it gone, I needed a project and a good gas mileage car. She started coming over to the shop after that and then started going to auctions with me while I bought old motorcycles. Our first disagreement was when I bought a Puch moped out from under her.

She's known tools were an essential part of my life and also something I really enjoy since day one. Our first years were tough so I cut way back but lately, as long as I sell my surplus **** to pay for them, I can buy any tool I need/want. She sees the damages come tax time but it keeps me out of trouble and cleans up more of my mess in the process, so everyone is happy.
 

amlv20

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Nov 6, 2012
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CEN-CAL
The trick is I let my girlfriend buy what ever she wants,as in make up and cosmetic supplies.shes not much into clothes or shoes but is crazy about make up.i let her buy what ever she wants and I get to buy the tools I want with no questions asked.
 

Chris83

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Jan 18, 2010
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299
Location
Langley, BC
I really don't tell the wife what I spend and we each have separate bank accounts. As long as bills are paid there is no reason to question it.
 

wild cowboy

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Mar 11, 2014
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Birmingham
My girl is all about me, very sweet and submissive, she thinks tools are a great investment, considering we never have to pay for car repair, home repair, etc. - not to mention the work I do with the tools to earn extra income and volunteer work fixing things for the poor. She encourages me to buy any tool that is both useful and purchased at a bargain.

I don't understand how men put up with wives that micro manage them or control them or *****/nag them, that's just crazy-train!
 
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Kevin54

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Jan 12, 2005
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Urbana, Ohio
Stanimal dont play that . Three hundred dollar shoes ?! They better walk themselves to work .

:lol_hitti:thumbup:

I never did buy into the separate bank account thing. I have worked with a few that has done it with their wives, and most of the time they were always doing something the wife wasn't to find out about.

OUR money goes into one account, OUR will is made out that if something happens to me, everything goes to her, if something happens to her it goes to me. We don't hide any of our expenses from one another, and never will. When her and I got together we worked our asses off to get what we did, and when we had spare money, whoever wanted to spend it, could. I bought my machinist tools for work, and she spent quite a few hundreds on my tools for the garage.

In fact, I've talked myself out of more stuff that she tells me to buy. If we go into a store, and I stop at the tool section just to look, she'll tell me that if I need it to go ahead and get it. So a lot of times, I avoid the tool section just for that reason.
 

woody 73

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Apr 14, 2009
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The Great State Up North
"Woody to Wife Sweetheart I just bought this tool box for $200.00 dollars".
"Wife to Woody did you find any gold bars yet?"
"Woody no not yet."
"Wife be sure and tell me when you find them".

And so it goes...:rolleyes:
 

Fretters

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Jan 25, 2014
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South Yorkshire, England
My girl is all about me, very sweet and submissive...

[...]

...I don't understand how men put up with wives that micro manage them or control them or *****/nag them, that's just crazy-train!


Now seeing as you brought this point up, :D if you look at the first part of your post, that in itself would, and likely to more than just I, suggest one of the following:

1) You're the controlling type.

2) That's a woman who is waiting until you're truly under the thumb before she strikes.

3) I only include this for the sake of completeness, not because I'm expecting it applies. :D That's a woman you have there with no hint of crazy.


Relationships where there are two people of mutual compatibility are rarity rather than rule, if they even exist at all. Some are just better than others at switching off, but one type of person I never take at their word is someone who says they have a perfect marriage or relationship.
 

Terracar

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Jan 30, 2009
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242
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SW Washington
If I need a tool, the wife knows about it, she typically knows what I spent through typical conversation, if not, not a biggie. Same goes for her purse purchases.
 

organ

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Jan 22, 2014
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955
Location
Atlanta
I try to be honest with my tools... but never mustered the courage to tell them my wife hates 'em...
 

chrisexv6

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Jun 1, 2005
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2,290
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CT
If I need a tool, the wife knows about it, she typically knows what I spent through typical conversation, if not, not a biggie. Same goes for her purse purchases.

Same here. I was surprised to see the first few replies to this thread talking about "yes I tell my wife before I go buy it", etc.

Im a tool collector. Have I used everything Ive bought at least once? Yes. Did I buy it long before I needed it? In many cases, yes. Id rather have a brand new tool sitting when I come up with a use for it than to say "I wish I bought this sooner".

My tools sure get more use than her purses :)
 

underpressure02

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Feb 7, 2013
Messages
54
Location
PA
I tell my GF how much I spend on my tools. Half the time I am using them to fix her car so she understands. Plus a single purse she buys costs more then about half of the tools filled in the drawers of my tool box.
 

Holzarbeiter

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Jun 22, 2014
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212
She knows the tools I have and never complains when I come home with another. If its a large purchase (500+) then i tell her ahead of time.
 
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