Do you always reveal the true cost of audio with your significant other?

Inspired by the Cost of Your System Thread

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/poll-cost-of-your-system.364394/

 

I lie like a blanket about it. Fibber, McGee!

Untruths. Evasions. Dissimulation.

 

I'm always honest about what I'm spending. It doesn't pay to lie about such things, sooner or later they find out anyway. Monetary issues are the #1 cause of divorce, IMO. Why tempt fate?

 

Oh yeah, I'm a cheapskate, find a 7.1 receiver for $50, I boast.

 

Although I'm not married (it's been 20 years since my divorce), I always revealed what I paid for my audio gear. In fact, I never even asked if I could buy something...I just did and she was cool with it. It was a two-street though. She was big time into decorating and I never questioned her purchases. We were lucky in that we could afford it.

 

I always do - if you can’t be honest about your purchases, then it’s time to think about whether the investments are worth it or not...

 

Yes.

 

"Don't ask, don't tell" is the cornerstone of my happy and successful marriage.

 

My wife seldom asks. She asked what the speakers cost me, and wasn't bothered by it, so I guess I'm within comfort. Each component otherwise has cost less.

 

There was no option for "avoid conversation and tell her how great she looks instead".

 

Well, everything in my rig was acquaired before I married. If I bought anything new I'd lie about the price. If I were to service a component I'd lie too. I even lied about the price of the last lp I bought ! I don't want her opinion, let alone her criticism about how I handle MY friggin' money. She doesn't work at all, and she makes a HUGE deal about what little she does at home. Rights or no rights, I want peace.

 

Sounds like a wonderful relationship.

 

It's not as bad as it sounds !!

 

I try not to at all costs. I usually give her the "Audiogon" prices.

- Buck

 

I keep this information in secret, in order to reveal it idly if I decide to separate with my significant other without going through long annoying existential explanations.

 

About the same here. Usually if I replace/upgrade some of my components, I lie that I made a trade for a profit. There's a room in my office full of "traded" older components...I still love them and don't want to get rid of them. It's easier with the CDs/records - I have such a big collection, that I can slip any new CD/LP unnoticed (it's more difficult with the huge boxes, they are problematic)

 

I am very open about costs and my wife participates in budgeting for big purchases. She does not care about the costs of things like records so I don't discuss them unless she asks.

We do keep separate fun budgets and I use mine for records and toys and I have no idea what she spends her budget on.

 

I voted "sometimes." I don't volunteer info and she doesn't always ask.

 

I have my own personal play money allowance, so the question rarely comes up.

 

My significant other is not the problem. The hardest part is to try and keep the true cost of audio a secret from myself.

 

Well, sort of. I've bought gear for cash and trade. If asked how much I spent, I've only mentioned the cash component.

My wife knew how much my speakers cost as she was with me when they were bought.

These days I would just would not answer at all.

 

Your welcome

 

I always mention to my wife that I trade in old components and that I get cost pricing for the most part.

I also mantain a modest balance in my "Paypal Slush Fund" as I refer to it. She doesn't care about.

 

I've found its less the cost and more what I'm treating her to in addition to the audio purchases.

But yeah, I 'round down' for sure if asked.