The cost of scuba equipment and non-diver spouses?

[garyfotodiver]

How do you explain/justify/hide what you spend on gear?

I don't. But then, I don't spend a lot on new equipment. When I do buy something new, my wife looks at it and says simply, "Use it well."

A successful marraige requires some compromise. ;-)

 

[PaulChristenson]

I guess every relationship is different. Once all the bills are paid, the extra money I earn is mine to do as I please.

ANNNNGH....WRONG....All extra money belongs to the IRS...

 

[adstaa]

New gear is quickly and quietly stowed in the darkest corner of the garage

this is where i have a contingency plan. have purchased all dive rite gear (same as mine) so if there does come a time where she decides she doesn't want to do it anymore it all seamlessly integrates into my kit eyebrow

 

[SwimJim]

The road to divorce is a nasty one. Been there done that. Don't want to do it again. My present wife does not dive. I take care of her and she takes care of me. Sometimes it takes a little wine and schmoozing to say ,set up a pair of doubles, but in the end, everyones happy. Treating her nice gives me the freedom to do what I want. You just have to keep your priorities straight.

jim

 

[ZzzKing]

Having a diving spouse works best. Failing that, make sure they have an expensive hobby of their own. (I have both - hubby is into UW photography - anything I buy pales next to his habit!)

My wife dives too but I still get some interesting looks when I show up at the house with new gear. She is pretty content to rent. She has had the occasional equipment failure, though...

 

[jetfixer]

How do you explain/justify/hide what you spend on gear?

Why would you ever want to live that way? I hear this all the time and can't believe it. Be a man! Is it a crime to spend your hard earned money on a hobby? She should be happy your spending money on something that helps keeps you in shape, sharpens the mind and is a great learning experience. Would she rather you spend the money at bars and strip clubs? That, my friend, is for us single guys!!

 

[miketsp]

When I opened this thread I really thought I was going to find a poll on whether it was better to spend money on diving gear OR on a non-diving spouse.

 

[Bobbin-along]

Diving is the cheap sport in our house. Try explaining a 5 digit invoice for a new carbon mainsail.....

 

[smokey braden]

this one is easy.
my paychecks from 2 jobs are directly deposited into her checking account.
anytime i sell a load of firewood or lay a hardwood oak floor, i get to keep.
these funds are spent on gear and dive trips.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

Wish I had that problem...

My wife and I both work full-time, we have a 2-year-old and another due the 18th of April, student loans, mortgage, mini-van payment,...

The only gear purchase I've made in the last 10 years was a BC I bought for $30.

Oh, and a new battery for my watch. Does that count?