How to give the wife a headache ...

[Cobra348]

especially if she is the type that really dislikes spending scads of cash.

First, don't tell her there is "found money" in the form of a bonus.

Second, take her out for breakfast (we usually do this every so often - totally normal so far) and suggest a shopping trip to the local Bed, Bath & Beyond for those bathmats and things she wanted. The local one is being closed, so its stock is 50% off. Right here, she has an incredulous look on her face.

Third, don't even sweat when the bottom line is >$300. Remember this is 50% off here! Just sign the credit slip and say "thanks!" to the nice clerk.

Fourth, watch her closely now ... sweat is starting to bead on the forehead and she is shaking a bit.

Fifth, trot over to the local WalMart and start looking at HDTV units in 32" and larger sizes ... all the while asking her "do you think this is too big for the front room?"

After she dopeslaps you she will then ask what in H*** has gotten into you. It was fun ... she nearly broke her hand on my hard head! Then we had a blast getting all sorts of "let's buy this!" stuff all over town. Some of it (like the bath items) we really needed and had put off for a long time.

My splurge was for 2 pounds of 13-15 count shrimp. These are the size like they serve in shrimp cocktails in most restaurants. Fresh, cooked and awesome! Hadn't had shrimp like this in a long time.

All in all, a really fun time filling the trunk of the sedan (and watching her squirm a bit). But then again after nearly 26 years of marriage, one has to just let it out, ya know? And just think of the terror I can wreak when the tax returns arrive! Woohoo!

[BondiBlue]

Sounds like a good time! My wife is very tight with our money so I could see myself doing that after I get my RN degree and getting the same response.

[Audrey]

I'd be pissed if you bought a TV at Wal-Mart. There's a local TV shop here that I was able to talk $300 off our 55" LCD TV (;

I control the cash... the boyfriend is a student, so he has none! Hah!

[Cobra348]

WalMart locally has the best prices - even online. I checked all that I could in the county and 2 adjacent ones. The size of the front room is such that anything >36" is too big. Three walls - one full of windows, one with the cable jack and real close to her PC (under 6 feet) for HDMI hookup to Netflix or something, third wall has the couch, etc. Fourth wall (none) ... direct access to kitchen/dining area. Small townhouse. <shrug>

We may wait for the trip to PA to see her family to get the TVs. Sister-in-law is a WalMart employee and we could just shlep them back in the car. Need one 26" for the kid (again room size, arrangement of jacks) and a 32-36" for us. Should be fun for a 5-1/2 hour trip back.

You should let b/f get scared, tho. It might instill the proper level of fear before getting any more serious! <evil chuckle> To tell the truth, 15 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of doing something like this ... but I'm getting close to retiring and it's time to start acting out a bit.

[Cobra348]

<nods> It was ... once she got settled down, she ticked off all sorts of stuff she'd had on her mind to get "whenever" and so we did ... plus a good share of impulse buys. Add to that the stuff we were gonna get (food, misc. household) the trunk was stuffed.

[CrazyZealot]

Right, the "local TV shop" probably had the TV marked up $400 in the first place

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Cobra348

You should let b/f get scared, tho. It might instill the proper level of fear before getting any more serious! <evil chuckle> To tell the truth, 15 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of doing something like this ... but I'm getting close to retiring and it's time to start acting out a bit.

We've been together over 7 years. I know exactly how to terrify him.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by CrazyZealot

Right, the "local TV shop" probably had the TV marked up $400 in the first place

Not ours - they price match. I was able to get $200 less than Wally World ($300 less than their original mark). I bought my TV 2 years ago though, so the margins are different now!

Having spare money to buy shiny things = awesome fun. Yay for you guys (:

[BondiBlue]

Originally Posted by CrazyZealot

Right, the "local TV shop" probably had the TV marked up $400 in the first place

That's the reason the local TV shop here is out of business now. They couldn't....or wouldn't compete with national chain store prices and it killed them off in the end.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by BondiBlue

That's the reason the local TV shop here is out of business now. They couldn't....or wouldn't compete with national chain store prices and it killed them off in the end.

Sad and too common. :[