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Married gear addicts: How do you do it?
- Thread starter micahturner
- Start date
Yeah, she's is three and already has over $10,000. We contributed $3,000 when she was born, we put in $100 every month, plus $1000 every year from our tax return. Her fund has averaged about 12% gain. My wife and I are just trying to do everything for our daughter that our parents didn't do for us.
It's a tricky situation, buying gear. I'm not a professional by any means, but I feel that my 15 years of playing has made me talented. I know my wife is looking out for me, and is trying to reach our financial goals before I retire from the military in ten years at 37 years old. I'm really jonesing for a B-15 and I've found one for a good price. I've got the cash, but pulling the trigger could put me in the dog house......
I don't know what kind of job you have but some of the guys at work have a plan worked out for extra cash. Work overtime or do side jobs then tell her you made way less. "yeah I only got $100 for that" when you really got 400.
The trick is to buy nice stuff used at a great price and trade up. Sure you'll need to add a little cash here and there to make the deal but if you buy cheap and sell fair you'll come out ahead. Also, don't forget that you have a birthday, fathers day, an anniversary and christmas every year. That's four opportunities to request cash be put in a bass gear acccount that you manage. If you assume $200 for each of those events and occasionally selling off anything you don't use much that's about a $1000 or more per year towards your addiction. You can pick up some mighty neat used stuff in the $1000 to $1500 bracket per year. Items that come to mind are an Ampeg B-15n or a SVT-VR or an Alembic, Pedulla or Lakland bass, maybe a Sadowsky if you look hard and save a little longer, etc. Ebay and Craigs List are ok places to buy if you're careful and TB is great with lots of stuff priced fairly. Frequently you can find a good buy on the GC used equipment listings website.
Word to the wise - keep the fanfare of new bass gear to a minimum. Not a great idea to be opening packages and flaunting your new gear in front of a remotely supportive spouse. My favorite is GC used gear, ordered on line and shipped to the local GC where I can pay cash for it when it arrives and bring it home with minimal spousal excitement.
Word to the wise - keep the fanfare of new bass gear to a minimum. Not a great idea to be opening packages and flaunting your new gear in front of a remotely supportive spouse. My favorite is GC used gear, ordered on line and shipped to the local GC where I can pay cash for it when it arrives and bring it home with minimal spousal excitement.
Uncle Sam isn't too familiar with overtime. Regardless of that fact, I love serving.
I'll write down some of the tips you gents have posted and try them out on the wife tonight.
I think there is no good fix to this. Maybe if I keep bugging the crap out of her she will fold. Wish me luck boys!
I'll write down some of the tips you gents have posted and try them out on the wife tonight.
I think there is no good fix to this. Maybe if I keep bugging the crap out of her she will fold. Wish me luck boys!
Uncle Sam isn't too familiar with overtime. Regardless of that fact, I love serving.
I'll write down some of the tips you gents have posted and try them out on the wife tonight.
I think there is no good fix to this. Maybe if I keep bugging the crap out of her she will fold. Wish me luck boys!
Good luck.. dont forget to bring a bottle of champagne to bed and talk about gear ONLY after never before
You need to ask to spend your money??
Another reason if I do get married, it prob wont last long.....
Another reason if I do get married, it prob wont last long.....
Guess i would be considered lucky in that my wife love's buying gear as much as i do. (she currently has more than i do, i just go for quality over quantity.) anyways theres some really good suggestions on here.
Best of luck to ya man.
Best of luck to ya man.
My wife just gave up on me and said, "I don't care, and I don't want to know" YES!!! Home Run. I just don't make a stink if she wants to buy something. She is a DVD addict and I am a Bass Nut. A pair made in HE Double Hockey sticks!!
My wife leads me by a little in salary and is WAY more fiscally responsible, so I insist she make the important money decisions. She also doesn't really get off on having 'things', so I often feel kinda guilty when I'm buying new toys.
Luckily, I had a lot of gear already when we got together, and I was able to trade up to a smaller, but better collection since then. She knows what I've got (she thinks the gear is cool) so there's no fooling her.
I just make sure I buy her nice things once in a while, limit my big gear purchases to one or two a year and always, ALWAYS tell her what I'm up to.
She's never said no to a purchase and she still comes to all the gigs, so I guess I haven't ticked her off yet. I'm a very lucky man.
Luckily, I had a lot of gear already when we got together, and I was able to trade up to a smaller, but better collection since then. She knows what I've got (she thinks the gear is cool) so there's no fooling her.
I just make sure I buy her nice things once in a while, limit my big gear purchases to one or two a year and always, ALWAYS tell her what I'm up to.
She's never said no to a purchase and she still comes to all the gigs, so I guess I haven't ticked her off yet. I'm a very lucky man.
I married someone who is 100% supportive of me, and I am the same with them.
We both work for what we have. I wouldn't marry into any other situation.
We both work for what we have. I wouldn't marry into any other situation.
I'm in a similar boat. Have 4 kids, single income. She manages our finances (very well for 10+ years, not so well for a couple of years, which put us in a rough spot). I make from $50-$100 week at my church gigs, which goes into a different checking account. She knows what I make, but doesn't really keep a close eye on this other account.
That said, I'm up front about my meager gear purchases. The only exception was I notified her about my last bass after I had won the auction, and agreed that once my gig money paid for the bass ($280), the rest would go towards our finances. The electronics were so shot, I had to take an extra hundred to replace them. I didn't mention that to her, more out of embarrassment and averting a long explanation that wouldn't make sense to her anyway.
So, if you're looking for the Dr. Phil answer, be up front and be firm if it's not fiscally harmful to your family. Otherwise, yeah, dump gig money into a different account and say, "Mine!"
It may be torture now, but one day in the future you will be very happy about this. Yur financial future looks way better than mine and after all the gear, I still don't have a bass I like.
My girlfriend actually encourages me to indulge myself in basses/gear. If I see a bass or other gear I want she pushes me to buy it, regardless of cost. Other than house projects (which benefit the both of us) this is my only luxury. Of course, it's reciprocal... she likes her jewelry, Louis Vittone bags, shoes, etc... I feel very blessed.
I play full-time and so told my wife when we first got married that I don't want to have to ask her permission for every purchase I want to make.
We devised a plan which has worked out really well so far for everyone. I basically put all my income into our main checking account but then move 5% of every deposit into a separate music checking account. It takes care of almost all my music purchase needs and she doesn't know about most of the stuff I get. She also doesn't really care about what pedal or amp I get.
I've bought basses without her even being aware and it's no big deal because I only get to spend what I've saved. It's a business write off and a mutually agreed upon plan where I get to still be a fiscally responsible grown up and yet not have to ask permission to spend my own money.
We devised a plan which has worked out really well so far for everyone. I basically put all my income into our main checking account but then move 5% of every deposit into a separate music checking account. It takes care of almost all my music purchase needs and she doesn't know about most of the stuff I get. She also doesn't really care about what pedal or amp I get.
I've bought basses without her even being aware and it's no big deal because I only get to spend what I've saved. It's a business write off and a mutually agreed upon plan where I get to still be a fiscally responsible grown up and yet not have to ask permission to spend my own money.
My wife's financial philosophy is both a blessing and a curse. I have great gear for the small amount of playing I actually do, and I am thankful for what I have. I'm honestly quite content with my Fender P-bass, and haven't had the urge to look else where for another one. I'm mostly an Ampeg junkie, specifically vintage pieces. I found a great 1975 810 cab with the original CTS speakers, and it sounds amazing! I think my fascination is with the craftsmanship, history, and killer sound. I'm constantly on the prowl for good deals on old Ampeg stuff, and even looking drives her crazy. I don't want to turn this into an Ampeg thread, it's just my preference and anyone in my situation can apply their own personal taste. It seems like most of you guys have sweet deals worked out with your ladies. My wife married me knowing I played bass, but I my gear addiction progressed with the more playing time I got.
All of your posts have been very entertaining to read. It's nice to have a stellar group of guys to vent to. Thanks.
All of your posts have been very entertaining to read. It's nice to have a stellar group of guys to vent to. Thanks.
Stick_Player
Inactive
- Nov 13, 2009
- 4,149
- 937
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- Endorser: Plants vs. Zombies Pea Shooters
Where are you getting 12% average in these times? What are you a "Hard Money" lender?
Sounds TOO risky for a college fund. 
Where are you getting 12% average in these times? What are you a "Hard Money" lender?
I would have to ask my wife. It's through my bank.....can't remember the certain fund. Of course that's the average over the past three years. It fluctuates, but continues to make nice gains.
