helping my brothers out

[arrogcow]

Many times I have read on these forums that someone needs to "ask the wife" for permission to buy a new kilt (sporran, jacket etc.).

While I respect the need to keep the wife informed of major purchases in a household, I do have a suggestion. As part of my wife and my household budget, we each get an allowance every pay period (currently $100.00 but it has been both higher and lower depending on income). We can spend our "spending money" on whatever we want no questions asked (ok, I'd probably have some explaining to do it I was using it for crack and hookers). She typically spends hers on yoga and eating lunch out, I use it for kilt stuff and Pez (I collect Pez despensers - I'm a geek). While I get the occasional, "Do you really need another kilt?" question (and I'm expection a new UK- Dark brown cord, and a tweed Argyle jacket), I don't have to ask permission when ever I decide to buy something.

Adam

[ronstew]

Evidently your wife isn't the sole breadwinner. Mine is.

[Pour1Malt]

ai solved the prubl'm by mairin' a Scots lassie whit luvs kilts!

[Moosehead]

I'm currently making mine a long kilted skirt, in PEI tartan. She asked for it. And, it will be done before Tartan Day. Same for my daughter (12 yr old). She'll be wearing it to school on TD. She also asked for one from the Muted Macleod of Lewis I got (@ only $2/metre). 'Nuff said.

[Rusty]

You said you're making your wife a long kilted skirt. My wife wants one too are you taking orders?

[Moosehead]

Rusty, check PMs.

[arrogcow]

Evidently your wife isn't the sole breadwinner. Mine is.

As a matter of fact, she is, but that is irrelavant. We have just created a budget where we both get spending money to use as we choose. She can't complain if I buy a new kilt, I can't complain if she gets a new pair of shoes, as long as only personal money is used.

Adam

[Schultz]

The wife and I have a similar arrangement. She's addicted to perfume oils manufactured by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab and spends just as much on purchasing those (along with her fancy soaps from a variety of sources) as I do on kilt items and homebrew supplies. So long as it comes out of her "allowance", I don't have a say, just like she has no say in how I spend my money. Of course, that doesn't mean she can't tell me that I bought something ugly.

There are times, however, when there's some special limited edition that she'd like to have, or some really cool sgian dubh I come across, that we clear the order with the other, but that's become few and far between, and then we budget it into monthly budget somehow, which usually doesn't take much finangling as I (conservatively) budget every dollar that goes out.

It's the only way my left brain will let me be happy ;)

[Riverkilt]

My brother and his wife have had a firm policy throughout their long marriage. They never discuss finances unless they are both au natural. They say it keeps them focused both on the reality of their core love for each other and that money and "things" are secondary to that love.

Ron

[Iolaus]

I am a student right now, so yes, my wife brings home all the bacon. When I was rolling in dough, most of my purchases were centered around my "gun nut" status; those who know, know how expensive that can be! This is peanuts, comparitively speaking.

Besides, equitable or not, we still have to sleep next to our mates, and a warm bed is preferable to a cold one!