Girlfriends and wifes, how do YOU cope?

I don't think so Pete. Sure it starts out with Willie and Bonnie, and the next thing I know you'll be recommending Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Pavoratti... :)

Cheers,
John

That's easy. Whatever was the real cost, simply multiply it by 10%, which then becomes the new real cost. The only exception is when you sell a piece of equipment. Then you multiply the selling price by 300%, which then become the new price for which you sold it.

Also, under NO circumstances should you admit to anything. Deny, deny deny. Even if you get caught with the receipt in your hand. Deny deny deny. And as you're denying, crumple the receipt, put it into your mouth, and swallow. Then innocently ask, "what receipt"?

Trust me. This works. After awhile she will also begin to wonder "what receipt" and will eventually decide the entire episode was imagined.

If in doubt, please refer to "A Guide For the Married Man" starring Walter Mathau and Robert Morse. Pretend the blonde is your new amp. It's an apt comparison. Oh yes: do your best to ignore the somewhat moralistic ending.

This is probably one of the greatest and funniest threads I've ever read!!
First, unlimited props to the ladies that came in on behalf of their husbands and shared with us their thoughts on the matter.
I guess I'm pretty lucky in that my wife lets me buy most of the nice things I want. It especially helps if we're doing well financially and if I can make her understand WHY I need that extra amp.
My beef is that she hates listening to anything over whispering SPL (best way I can describe it), so that all my nice gear is rendered useless. At that volume level, I might as well listen to a pair of Bose from Fry's... I literally have to turn on the English For The Hearing Impaired subtitles... I am however in the process of remodeling a room JUST FOR ME and the gear. Yay!!

2 words: trade off. Buy myself equiptment=buy her whatever she wants of equal value. Accept derision for my obsession and indulge her whims in any area she sees fit.

She buys baskets, boxes and furntiture, cooking crap and the occasional car. Also, her travel budget is several times what it'd be if it were up to me. In exchange, I buy trumpets, guitars, two-channel audio and fast cars. Much as I am occasionally tempted, I spend no money on other women.

This formula has worked for 39-years. Keeping it in balance, staying out of debt and not forsaking the retirement fund are also part of the winning, long-term formula. When I had less money, I spent proportionally less.

Dave