Seeking advice from the experienced

[Wayne Collier]

I had this OS .25 laying around and I never owned a ringmaster so I ordered the ARF from Brodak.  Since I was ordering anyway, I figured I may as well pick up a couple of fuel tanks, some new lines, and a handle.  A few weeks later I bought a .40 through the classifieds and that necessitated an ARF nobler.  I then took stock of some in progress projects and ended up getting an additional list of things from tower.  I wanted a few items from Cox International and figured since I was out the shipping I may as well pick up a new .049 for a plane that has been sitting around half built for a couple of years. At a hobby shop a few towns over I picked up a couple of Guillow's kits mostly for the plans because I sometimes use them for patterns for 1/2A planes.  In and around this were a few trips to Harbor Freight and Lowe's and some parts for a 49 model 8N tractor that is sitting in my wife's parking space in the garage for the winter. The check book ended up a little light.  For the past few weeks I have been severely stressing to my wife that we need to control spending until we build up some reserves. Now I'm seeing more shinny stuff that I want.  At 55, I figure I'm one of the younger ones reading the forum.  How do some of you more experienced guys reason your way through justifying expenditures after telling your significant others that as a family you can't afford frivolity for a while?  For now I'm focusing on completing some already started projects, catching up on some honey-dos and awaiting any sage advice you guys can offer.

[Target]

Well, you can't only work and no play....
But, by all means, get some stuff together and flying before you get too crazy on spending more dough on "future projects".
I'd get whatever is quickest into the air. Flying doesn't cost much.
Have fun.
R,
Chris

[Skip Chernoff]

Wayne simply tell your wife that building and flying model airplanes is a lot cheaper than chasing women, drinking with buddies at the local watering hole,or doing drugs.....she'll understand and know where you are when building your models in the shop.....just kidding....no I'm not....just kidding....Cheers PhillySkip

[Motorman]

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[john e. holliday]

When I was working I would get a lot of over time work.  Nothing like working 41 days straight 12 hours a day without a day off.   That is when I would get my engines , kits and parts for the future.  But, I also made it a point to take care of the better half so she would not complain about my habit.   But, really tell your self, do I really need this now?   Now I see stuff I could be getting for less than what I paid for it.   Anyway as someone told me many years ago,  'Don't rob Peter to pay Paul'.   Take care of family first.

[George Albo]

Buy her some nice bling. Build TWO planes. One a trainer and take her with you flying. Get her involved and make this hobby a family hobby if she is inclined even a little bit. Have fun

[Fredvon4]

Wayne

At 55 wife and I both retired from our second careers...early

That was 6 years back and more than once WE BOTH exceeded the "leisure hobby" budget and had to dial it back until the bank account was back to comfortable...

In our case, my wife and I have distinctly different views on what is "comfortable", she being much more conservative

But married to her for 34 years now I know this will never ever change

Rule of thumb that I know you know... if Momma is not happy, NOBODY is happy

As an aside... a few years back I had the opportunity to buy in for a new  run of a specialty engine and they were expensive.... I wanted three... rather than notice "She Who Must Be Obeyed" of my intent...I put my name on the pre order list and promptly did a few "for pay" projects for others, as well as selling off some "never gonna get used" items--- and in a few short weeks, I had enough "found cash" to fund the desire

Another note...just for what it is worth... once or twice I jumped too High too fast worrying about getting the exact formula for a airplane project....only to find 6 months later the big ticket item I needed for a lot less cash...if I had waited

Point being...at your tender 55 ish age... being patient and waiting sometimes is a good exercise

Hint... I no longer do ANY e-bay bidding...  Buy it now ( at a price I like) or not at all

A lot of this Toy airplane hobby requires some rational discipline.... getting off the computer, away from the sanding and dope, and just flying and grinning is required

best way to stop my excessive spending I did--- was to stop chasing combat and focus on stunt ...took Brett Buck's advice and built three (in my case RSTs) with BBTU (sort of) power .... I spent so much time with these nearly identical three ships ---flying and crashing and trimming ----that I got refocused to flying MORE than accumulating and building

[Target]

That's what I was trying to say; flying doesn't cost as much as buying and building.

[Tim Wescott]

What everyone else is saying -- dial back, build and fly.  There definitely seems to be a human urge to shop; it's something to be resisted.

[Fredvon4]

There is of course the OTHER problem...

Being a Motor Head or a Tool Nut....

Then the challenge is much greater

I had a recent concern about wing and stab incidence... I used to do eyeball and apply TLAR* and usually two long strait edges to do this....works well for profiles

But I got a new Top Flite ARF Nobler  and just had to ask How checking 0 0 0 is done..

Te search for good incidence tool ended with a belief that two or three are better but they are roughly $39 to $79 each

Then saw several home made holders with the smart phone app

Then I remembered that my children have gifted me, over that last 5 years, a number of LASER levels... Hummmm creativity is starting to win over just buying a new set of neat and precise tools....

*That Looks About Right

[Paul Smith]

Every time you spend something on yourself spend just as much on the wife.


MM

In a fair world that would work.

[RknRusty]

I'm just repeating in my own words all of the above good comments about how it's such a fine line(and a moving target) we all have to struggle to accept and watch out for. I had the most distressing time when I was re-entering the hobby and finding out about new things like PA and all the new goals and needs, time and $$, to get my workshop equipped, etc. And the worst part was controlling my newfound excitement and craving to be in the shop or at the field, rather than thinking up what to have for supper, household chores, and providing the personal support every wife or partner and family needs. Not a bad idea to have some Pepcid or the like in the med cabinet too Lol, for that inevitable tight stomach that comes with the surprise that now and then, I've unknowingly had both feet over the elusive line for too long.

Once I got my wife to a contest(also my first) where she experienced what truly fine, helpful and friendly people were involved, and the great fun we had, and how my newfound happiness with all my new friends was making me healthier and happier, she got on board and started supporting my two(soon to be three) clubs too. And when she also started making new friends and understanding our sport too. I think she likes Combat and Carrier better than stunt too. Turns out she's become a great supporter and huge help to me at these events and now we both look very much forward to them. Even coming to an occasional meeting too.
Rusty

[john e. holliday]

I call her my adopted daughter, Brenda Schuette.  Her and Melvin attended the last NATS my son, JJ, was flying.  During carrier competition they didn't have a tabulator.  She made the mistake of asking what it involved.  The rest is history.  Now my wife tolerates my habit and was also there that year.  She went to Brodaks with me as a little vacation.  still doesn't want to get fully involved.  Now the newest grand baby keeps het occupied..

[Richard Entwhistle 823412]

Amusing to watch my wife get upset over my 20th $500 AK-47 when she had no problem donating money to the public library

Later
Richard

[Mark Scarborough]

Amusing to watch my wife get upset over my 20th $500 AK-47 when she had no problem donating money to the public library

Later
Richard

Richard you rabble rouser you,, lol

[Fredvon4]

That's funny

My Retired Army wife actually asked for the first of our small arsenal of AR15s and AKs

Most of our accumulated firearms up to then were for personal protection or hunting
The so called evil military looking acqusitions were just for fun / nostalgia , range time eating ammo
Nary a word from her when I got her a fairly pricey ultra Lite Taurus Judge* pistol

But my buy of 3 new Nelson N36c engines just demanded some sort of snide quip from her...

No Virginia, I did not mention the cost of the guns I have bought her....I know better

It's all good...as long and some where in this relationship we can both enjoy things that are loud and smoke

* BTW the Judge, with 5 shots of 45 Colt and 410 in a revolver is a very good..."You Do NOT DARE Car-Jack Me"... reliable piece

BTW # 2 being ultra lite, I was a bit concerned that a small revolver with 45 Colt or 410 would be an uncomfortable and second shot impossible hand gun.... not so.... 5 shot rapid fire into 25 foot target can place all 5 in 8" center of mass circle relatively comfortably

BTW #3 This is the hand gun she used for her Concealed Hand Gun License- CHL (here in Texas) and when the class was done almost every one of the 34 other (mostly women) students went out and bought one