hiding gear purchases from a girlfriend

I buy everything through my business acct.

Kenny Thompson wrote:I buy everything through my business acct.

Unless you're a guide or a sole prop, you should prob talk to your lawyer. Google 'piercing the corporate vail'.

We've seen this movie before, and it doesn't have a good ending.

Anyway, some tips:

-- If she complains that some piece is new, tell her that you bought it months ago, show her the dust you can wipe off it.

-- Announce every piece of gear that you intend to sell, or give away. No matter how damaged, nor how low the price (free!) it still counts. Ask her the last time she sold shoes for money.

-- Point out Consignment stores that sell women's clothing but not climbing gear.

Why do you need a girlfriend? Strippers cost less money and never do anything but act like they love you.

OK, serious/honest answer coming here.
Either she is legitimately concerned about gear purchases, or she isn't.
1) If you are having trouble making ends meet and there are unintended consequences due to your purchases that would indicate that you are truly gear-obsessed, then marry her. You need a referee and she knows you are nutty but is willing to try to help. That's saying a lot. So... Are you a Leo?

2) If she is just nagging about your finances, but is actually incorrect, then she has a jealousy problem, a control problem, or is perhaps a miscreant with a lack of proper social boundaries. So talk to her about it to remind her that it's YOUR business and not causing any problems. If she can't get the point, then she's not ready for a serious relationship yet anyway. Maybe she'll learn in time, but is it your job to teach her? People grow up when they are ready.
3) If you've got it all wrong and she's got it right, but you think it is #2 when it is actually #1... don't worry. You'll piss her right off and she'll leave you - which is fine, since you are the one not ready for a serious relationship.

A person has to be ready to own their individual problems.

Rob Gordon wrote:Why do you need a girlfriend? Strippers cost less money and never do anything but act like they love you.

This.

or maybe she is hiding something from you?

Forgiveness vs permission is the key. But that has a limited shelf life as well.

Matt N wrote:When your girlfriend gets jealous of your rack, it may be time to upgrade hers.

Ding Ding Ding! WINNER!

Edit:
Of course you don't pay for this, you gotta save money to buy gear!

Mike Belu wrote:...Are there support groups?

No but you will have plenty of time to start one after, well, you will find out.

Maybe co-op storage units so you and your friends could all hide your gear together. Get a single guy to put the unit in his name.

killis is right, but you're not just going to start a new day with that ethos, you'll have to work toward it.

in the meantime, don't be afraid to adopt the attitude of "being bummed out about the necessity of having to shell out the cash for gear even though you don't really want to because it's for safety and you're life depends on it."

wife (in a tone slightly sharper than merely conversational)- "what's that?"

me (as if there is nothing un-obvious about anything) - "what's what? oh that? it's that new belay device i had to get."

her (spoken as if to a three year old that she is reprimanding for the 10th time) "I thought you already had two?"

me (bummed out and dejected because life isn't fair) "well, I have my main one and a backup just in case, and the main one was starting to show some premature wear and I just thought that since my life and my partners life depend on all this dumb gear I should go ahead and replace it before it fails on me. I'm actually a little pissed because I had to go spend $30 on this thing. You know baby, I just really wish these gear companies would make stuff that lasts a little longer. But, you know, safety first."

You could also turn your bed into bunk beds for more room for activities.

sell her-think of how much gear you could buy with all that money.

climbing>girlfriend. ESPECIALLY the nagging kind that doesn't understand why gear is important to climbers.

The secret is to have climbing bring money IN. Make it a self-sustaining hobby.

Don't let a girl friend stand in the way of your happiness.

Scott McMahon wrote:Don't let a girl friend stand in the way of your happiness.

This.

By the way, any progress? Or is she still coming down on you for buying gear?

Steve M wrote:Your new standard answer: Oh that old thing? I can't even remember how long ago I bought that. Then start rummaging through your gear bin telling stories about when you fell on what piece of pro, she'll wander off in no time. Oh, and have it shipped to your work.

Genius.

Brian Hudson wrote: This. By the way, any progress? Or is she still coming down on you for buying gear?

She's actually been awesome. We live together and are basically married. I was buying a lot over a few months to fill out my trad rack, and also alpine stuff for a trip to Bolivia this year. I explained it was needed for safety and there were good sales, so she gets it.

I got the stuff I needed, so now my buying frenzy should be over. Unless I see a really good sale....

Find balance and harmony in your relationship by creating the opportunity for her to purchase or experience something in line with what we get out of climbing.
Might not have to be a ring- girls weekend on you? a new blender/ipod/whatever your chick digs...

That way you've got the ammo("remember that one time") when you really need it (see: new rope, set, trip to Thailand) but really, you're both getting your materialistic/recreational needs met!