What do you guys do in this situation?

[heresay1]

As long as you're paying your bills and necessaries ; if you have some money aside for buying a knife , there's no need for justification from anyone else what you buy. If you earned that money ,it's up to you how you see fit to spend it. If you need to get approval from someone what to spend your money on , then there's something wrong there. It's your money.

+1 here.

My wife knows how frugal (not cheap) I am. To purchase items I use coupons, buy in bulk, purchase items on closeout/clearance, attend yard sales, search a lot of internet yard sales (ebay, craigslist, for sale forums), wait for retail sales to occur (food, clothing, electronics, etc) , save my spare change, etc... I engage in these practices on my own without her encouragement. Priority #1 is my family and their well being. So mortgage, food, clothing, utilities, etc. come first. As a result none of my "tool/gear" purchases are questioned.

So long as you have proper money management habits there should be no debate as to what to spend your money on.

If you are unemployed, rely on parents for finances, or have horrible spending habits then that is a different story.

 

[snowalker]

I divorced the PITA.

 

[GWashington1732]

I don't have a wife, girlfriend, etc. to care about my knife buying habits so there.
















Ow, I made myself feel bad.

 

[richw]

She has to ask for permission for the right to speak. If I afford her that right, and she starts to nag, I point out that she does not have the right to nag. I explain to her that if she keeps behaving in that manner, I will rescind her right to speak.

 

[Alvaro Candanedo]

First off it's a girlfriend, she has no say what you buy and spend your money on. If your girlfriend doesn't understand that you like knives, guns or anything for that matter and like to spend your money on it then she has to walk. Don't change and be someone your not and not buy what you like to save her feelings, in time you will hate her for it and all you will do is fight and argue thus breaking up anyway.

As for a wife? That's a bit different, you married her and must respect her and her feelings. She must also remember that she married you and that you like knives and so on, if these things make her unhappy then she should not have married you in the first place.

If you are still living with your parents, you absolutely must respect their decision to not have these items in their house. That's just the way it is, if you don't like their rules while living under their roof then move out. Plain and simple, move out and get your own place or with a friend and have your own rules.

I'm very lucky that my wife and I not only get along very well but she also respects that this is what I like and this is what I want to own. She doesn't carry a knife or a gun but she can and does use mine when we are out. She loves training and spending time out in the woods and mountains. She buys what she wants and I don't question it and I am able to buy what I want without any questions. Thank god we like all the same things. You won't see her shopping for designer clothes and sunglasses. She likes all outdoor clothing and has a North face or Maxpedition bag instead of some designer handbag. You'll never see her in high heels, she prefers a pair of Merrill Trail shoes. I'm sure that having the business that I do and sell what I do helps considerably.

I understand that saying (writing) it is easier than doing it, but if your significant other doesn't like the fact that you like knives, guns and other gear then maybe you should look at moving on. it's not going to be easy and in time will cause many issues in your relationship.

best of luck my friend.

-Tim

To the OP: this is the best advise that you are going to receive.