Trains.com

How to get your puchases of trains past your spouse

8098 views
78 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 3 posts
Posted by hmmwvnut on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:20 PM

Buy it in cash!  Quick and easy, and you can always loose the receipt!!!!   LOL

Since I own over 400 locos, and God know how many passenger cars sets, let alone freight cars, my hobbies has evolved in to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I think! LOL

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • 25 posts
Posted by Ralph on Monday, January 8, 2007 6:08 PM

I work partime at the hobbyshop I get my trains from. Eventhough I mainly take take care of the slotcar tracks, but I still rather come home and play with my trains with my daughter. So I don't take money out of our bank account. And she also helps me with scenery. It's a good arrangement.

 

                            Ralph

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • 1,512 posts
Posted by philo426 on Monday, January 8, 2007 4:59 PM
High Rail Jon:You wish your wife looked like that pic!
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, January 7, 2007 11:02 PM

highrailjon That's a GREAT wife!!! ;b

 

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Ohio
  • 129 posts
Posted by jakeoregano on Friday, January 5, 2007 7:49 PM
 fifedog wrote:

88 - I've got my 7 foot tall inflatable RAVENS lineman ready to go in the front yard! Bring on Peyton-----yummmmm,yummmm...

fifedog:  GO RAVENS!!! Almost everone is on the San Diego bandwagon.  Well, I'm a Balmer boy through and through and I think the Ravens' D is gonna stomp everyone.  It will be a bit of poetic justice for the Ravens to beat Indy in Balmer.  - Ok back to trains Sign - Oops [#oops]

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 5, 2007 5:24 PM
 I got a seperate bank account and see no reason why any grown "MAN " has got to get his wife's permission to buy anything he can afford without hurting family finances ! I don't monitor her spending ... why should she mine . If we both don't have enough sense to rationally buy things we love or want then we need professional help . I cringe everytime I hear "momma would raise holy h*** if I spent that amount on something I really love " . They outlive us by around 20 years and will be spending our retirement and social security on hairdressers and Buicks decades after we're dust ! Just look around . Where have all the spines gone ---- MUSH !
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pisa, IT
  • 1,474 posts
Posted by RR Redneck on Friday, January 5, 2007 4:18 PM
 spankybird wrote:

Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]Every train engine cost me two dolls. As of now, she is up 3 engines.

 

I feel SOOOOO sorry for you, buddy. Those porcelin dolls with the moving eyes creep me out.

Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 2,116 posts
Posted by Boyd on Friday, January 5, 2007 12:08 PM

My spending on trains is quite limited.

But to answer your question, I have solved that problem so far by not having a wife. 

Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,048 posts
Posted by fifedog on Friday, January 5, 2007 9:29 AM

88 - I've got my 7 foot tall inflatable RAVENS lineman ready to go in the front yard! Bring on Peyton-----yummmmm,yummmm...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 5, 2007 8:47 AM
 fifedog wrote:

88 - when you get it just drop me a line.Maybe I'll head up to Thurmont again when we can sign it in person. Cool beans?

Sure, no problem!

It may be a couple weeks... I'm heading to Pittsburgh this weekend... and the next two are ? because of the NFL Playoffs - wife has Ravens Season Tickets... and I am trying to rerent my house in Pittsburgh and may have to make a quick 1 day run... I'll keep you posted!

Brent

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,048 posts
Posted by fifedog on Friday, January 5, 2007 7:49 AM

88 - when you get it just drop me a line.Maybe I'll head up to Thurmont again when we can sign it in person. Cool beans?

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 5, 2007 7:12 AM
 fifedog wrote:

88 - you get an application, and I'll vouch that you don't come from the wrong side of the tracks for you.Wink [;)]

Besides, living that close to York is tantamount to walking by the barbershop and never getting a haircut.  You may even come across those B&O/C&O F units you've been coveting.



Oh, about the application - your on!

Just let me know where to send it! Cool [8D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 5, 2007 7:10 AM
 fifedog wrote:

88 - you get an application, and I'll vouch that you don't come from the wrong side of the tracks for you.Wink [;)]

Besides, living that close to York is tantamount to walking by the barbershop and never getting a haircut.  You may even come across those B&O/C&O F units you've been coveting.



That's what I've been telling my wife!  Heck the Maryland Midland RR runs about 100 yds behind our rear property line!  Everything on the otherside of the tracks is the wrong side! Smile [:)]

Man I can't wait to get the C&O 0-8-0!  And I have my Trolley, 681, and 2020 in the shop for maintenance... I think I'm going through PostWar withdrawl!  Is that possible?

I was listening to Queen the other night and the song 'I want it all' came on.  Wife came downstairs and says, 'Is that your Lionel Theme Song?'  I simply turned the music up louder and turned on the 7.1 surround sound!

Oh, she thinks we should name our son Lionel... I told her that would be going a bit too far.  We could simply name him Berk. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,048 posts
Posted by fifedog on Thursday, January 4, 2007 10:42 PM

88 - you get an application, and I'll vouch that you don't come from the wrong side of the tracks for you.Wink [;)]

Besides, living that close to York is tantamount to walking by the barbershop and never getting a haircut.  You may even come across those B&O/C&O F units you've been coveting.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 9:16 PM

 fifedog wrote:
laz57 - ok, ok, April, I'll supply the handtruck, YOU shuttle Mrs. fifedog around, I'll buy the beer. Deal?

You got a deal FIFEDOG, APRIL?  We'll be there.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 9:14 PM
 highrailjon wrote:

 My wife told me if I buy one more train, I'm in for a whippin'. See ya fella's, I'm off to the train store. Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Wink [;)]

Please email my wife JON?

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Kaukauna WI
  • 2,115 posts
Posted by 3railguy on Thursday, January 4, 2007 8:41 PM
Jon, be sure to tell her I talked you into buying it.
John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Kaukauna Wi.
  • 39 posts
Posted by tbwilson4 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 8:39 PM
I've been married for 26 years, the first 20 of which I was big into collecting guns. So now she says she's glad that I finally found an inexpensive hobby! (or so she thinks!)
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: The South
  • 480 posts
Posted by highrailjon on Thursday, January 4, 2007 8:12 PM

 My wife told me if I buy one more train, I'm in for a whippin'. See ya fella's, I'm off to the train store. Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Wink [;)]

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Kaukauna Wi.
  • 39 posts
Posted by tbwilson4 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 8:05 PM
Another good way of getting packages past the wife-shield is in plain sight.(this only works if your wife knows nothing about trains,so proceed at your own risk) If she knows I am going to a train show, I always bring an empty box or two from a caboose or boxcar I purchased years earlier with the $35 dollar price marked on a bright yellow tag, slide my Lionmaster Challenger & tender into the boxes, and proudly present my fantastic buys! Great fun!
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 250 posts
Posted by Warburton on Thursday, January 4, 2007 7:57 PM

One more good trick...find a local or reasonably close train dealer and make arrangements to have him give you "dummy" receipts for your train purchases. That is, say a boxcar costs $40. You pay the $40 but get a fake receipt showing a $20 purchase to show your wife.

Now, this only works if the big problem isn't just bring home trains but rather how many $$ you spend on them. By using this method, you can effectively "double" your purchases. Unless she is really up on train pricing, she'll never know the difference. Also, I've found that dealers will offer this, er, "service" to good customers if asked. After all, they want you to keep buying from them! Be careful about charge purchases, though, if your wife may see the statements. Best to buy with cash only!

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Thursday, January 4, 2007 7:39 PM

tbwilson4 That's a pretty good trick!!!

 

underworld

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Kaukauna Wi.
  • 39 posts
Posted by tbwilson4 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 7:19 PM
Sneakyness is half the fun! I have an arrangement with a fellow railfan down the street. My packages are delivered to him, and his packages are delivered to me. When my package needs to make the trip from the car to the basement, my wife sees me taking out the garbage can from the basement, hears me dumping it into larger can in garage, & then watches me return the "empty"  can to the basement! Taa-Daa!  Actually, she pretends not to notice my additions, just like I dont notice all the clothes & shoes that have "always been there"! 
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Thursday, January 4, 2007 7:07 PM

Quite easy.....I'm not married! My girlfriend knows that complaining won't get her anywhere!!!

 

underworldBig Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]

currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: South Western PA
  • 139 posts
Posted by Smoke Stack Lightnin' on Thursday, January 4, 2007 6:53 PM

Warburton- You are right.  I don't think my wife actually hates trains or the hobby.  She hates em cause I like em!  She also is to be on meds but won't take them.  She is an emotional roller coaster.  I think (hope) it will all work out someday.  I guess only the guys that love trains and also love a woman that loves to hate trains to hurt the guy that loves trains can only relate to this voodoo.  If you ever hear news of a man that had to have a full scale Hudson surgically removed- that man will probably be me.  It really has nothing to do with money management or being afraid of a woman.  It has everything to do with loving both, and not wanting to hurt or do without either.  A typical bad situation.

Stay positive! 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 250 posts
Posted by Warburton on Thursday, January 4, 2007 4:32 PM

Smoke Stack -- I am with you! My wife hates trains and makes no bones about it. She used tell people "trains ruined my life." She was also in severe depression unbeknownst to us for a number of years. She was a miserable "rhymes with witch" on a number of other levels, too, believe me. Now that she take her meds, she is much, much better. Depression runs in her family; her mother was a terrible case. My wife still doesn't like trains by any means, but we decide on a budget for me each year to spend on them and as long as I stay reasonably close to it, she will now tolerate my hobby. I think that "trains" are sometimes just a visible totem for other, deeper problems. I have always been easy about her purchases of whatever.

 As for the original question (hiding them from the wife), try having them delivered by UPS to where you work (no UPS truck in front of your house). Then, hide them under junk in your car trunk, smuggle them into a dark corner of the garage under some old boxes, etc., when she's not looking, and into the house when she goes out. ONLY IF you can't just be honest about it!! If I had it to do over again, I'd do what I do now and have a lot less unpleasantness.

And, yes, I love my wife of 35 years very much anyway. Had to -- I stuck it out with her thru some nasty times!

P.S. It was kinda funny...back in the 90s, she used to go to trains shows with me to help sell trains (I'd have a table or two), and she'd tell folks, "I HATE TRAINS! Please help me get rid of them here!" It sometimes worked, and always set guys heads to scratching as they walked by.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 4, 2007 12:23 PM
 fifedog wrote:
laz57 - ok, ok, April, I'll supply the handtruck, YOU shuttle Mrs. fifedog around, I'll buy the beer. Deal?


One of these days I would like to be able to get into York! Sigh [sigh]

You have to be a member of TCA, correct?

Wife has been bugging me to find out how to become a member... I showed her the form and told her I have to build a respectable reputation with some members before I can join... her response... 'Oh.  Then I guess you're out!' Black Eye [B)]

Gotta love women with a sense of humor!
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,048 posts
Posted by fifedog on Thursday, January 4, 2007 11:39 AM
laz57 - ok, ok, April, I'll supply the handtruck, YOU shuttle Mrs. fifedog around, I'll buy the beer. Deal?
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Thursday, January 4, 2007 11:14 AM

FIFEDOG,

   Works up an appetite, steak and beer.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month