I spent too much on knives this week...help me justify my decision

Smokinape, that seems like sound advice. I agree that sharing a bank account is a small matter compared to eveything else you share.

And BTW, I won't miss any of the money I spent. I sold quite a few knives and other items to pay for this stuff, and I have a good job. I'm just normally very frugal so I feel strange dropping so much at once.
 
jstn said:
Thanks guys, feeling better already. I'm not too keen on the account sharing either. Any of you married guys make this work?
Click to expand...

Yep, works fine. We have some shared credit accounts for joint ventures, like buying things for the home, travel, or emergencies. But our day-to-day finances are separate. We split up the bills to where there are certain things I'm responsible for and certain things she takes care of.

I don't purposefully keep secrets from Wife about what I spend money on, but she doesn't really care anyway and isn't interested in my knives or other hobbies.
Similarly I don't need to (nor want to) see how much money she 'wastes' money on shoes, clothes, etc. Why would any man want to involve themselves in that stuff? I have enough problems as it is. ;)

You really want an episode of begging / negotiating / asking permission every time you want to buy something like a pocketknife, guitar, or motorcycle? (you'll lose)
Similarly, you want to argue with Wife that she doesn't really 'need' a 48th pair of earrings, new bathroom tiles, or the latest Nicholas Sparks novel? (you'll also lose)
 
Haha, some interesting points Bob W. I'm glad to get advice from people who have been there. There is a lot of wisdom on these boards and I am glad to soad it in:)
 
jstn said:
And BTW, I won't miss any of the money I spent. I sold quite a few knives and other items to pay for this stuff, and I have a good job. I'm just normally very frugal so I feel strange dropping so much at once.
Click to expand...

Don't sweat it then. It's your money, you earned it, so enjoy it while you can. Provided you stay within these reasonable guidelines:
Save and invest for the future, don't spend money on junk, and don't spend more than you have.
 
miltmaldo said:
If you can't share a bank account with your wife . what make you think you can share the rest of your life with her .
Click to expand...


Sound advice.

My wife and I have shared accounts for near 17 years now and no problems. I get what I want (within reason) and she does the same. We each know when we shouldn't buy something and we also know when we can spend more "freely". She is a stay at home mom and the money I earn is totally OUR money.
 
Who cares you bought something for yourself, or even several things. Are your other bills paid? If yes then who cares man, can't take it with you and tomorrow is not guaranteed.
 
She has access to my account and anything else. But we spend money. Me from mine and hers from her own. Anytime she needs extra she asks and receives, but we both manage to stay afloat
 
jstn said:
I ordered a new TGLB from Busse, a Demko AD-10, and an BM Adamas. I won't recieve the first two for some time and my bank account hates me right now. I didn't need any of these, but I WANTED them. How do you guys make yourself feel better when you do this. Usually I buy more knives to make myself feel better so that's out.

I'm getting married in about a year so my usual excuse is I need to get all these purchasing out of the way before sharing a bank account with someone.
Click to expand...

Who knows? I'm in the same boat....

This week I bought:

BM 581 Barrage
Kershaw s30v Blur
Kershaw Speedform 2 - Elmax
Kershaw Brawler
Boker Orange Nano
Mcusta Nobunaga

and I'm still trying to find a Spyderco Paramilitary 2....

I feel your pain. I get married in May of 14. They're not something I need, but something I wanted.
 
Did buying the knives prevent you from(or at least put you at risk of not) paying your bills or covering other necessary expenses? Are you saving for something important, and buying these knives prevented you from saving money that needed to be saved? If so, you spent too much.

If you bills and expenses are covered, and the money just came out of your "spare cash/hobby funds", then you're probably fine...just means you won't have as much money to spend on whatever other hobbies you have.
 
jstn said:
Thanks guys, feeling better already. I'm not too keen on the account sharing either. Any of you married guys make this work?
Click to expand...

A secret bank account on the Cayman Islands might help...:cool:


Regards
Mikael
 
miltmaldo said:
If you can't share a bank account with your wife . what make you think you can share the rest of your life with her .
Click to expand...

very good point.i share my accounts with mine and she does a great job in the role of financial advisor.anyway heres my reason for you not to worry about spending too much.THINK HOW MUCH THEY WILL COST NEXT YEAR!
Strike while the irons hot or in this case before the money burns a hole in your pocket.
 
miltmaldo said:
If you can't share a bank account with your wife . what make you think you can share the rest of your life with her .
Click to expand...

very good point.i share my accounts with mine and she does a great job in the role of financial advisor.anyway heres my reason for you not to worry about spending too much.THINK HOW MUCH THEY WILL COST NEXT YEAR!
Strike while the irons hot or in this case before the money burns a hole in your pocket.
 
I have only been married a few years, but we have multiple accounts, some joint, some individual. Neither of us are very responsible with money, but I at least make sure all the bills are paid before spending. I also have the only income at the moment so there is that too. Anyway, we keep an account for each of us for our spending money, a joint account for rainy days, emergencies, etc. and I have my old checking account, which is where my check goes initially and where I pay all the bills. If she asks to see it I show her, but she does not have (nor need imho) access to it on a day-to-day basis. Same goes for my retirement accounts, she is the beneficiary, but she does not have direct access to them. Honestly this setup helps us avoid money arguments we probably would have otherwise. Everyone and every couple is different, find what works for you and her and stick with it. Can always change it up later if it isn't working as intended.

As to the knives, enjoy them. That is always harder when you won't get them in your hot little hands for a while, I'm an instant gratification kind of guy too. Probably we all are...
 
How do I justify my buys? I simply wait long enough before buying to know for sure if I want/need it and it feels good when you receive the knife. I feel much better buying fewer knives than lot's of knives all the time.
 
A.L. said:
I feel much better buying fewer knives than lot's of knives all the time.
Click to expand...

I OTOH feel down when I have to go a week or so without getting to order at least ONE knife. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, the week is definitely worse than it is other weeks.
 
I have a shared account with my wife, she just doesn't contribute to it. I pay all the bills and do all the finances. Since she doesn't work, (homemaker), she gets very little say. Therefore, my knife purchases are just that. MY knife purchases. I buy what I can afford and never need to ask anyone. This has worked well for us for over twenty years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top