Before we go any further I must admit I am not without sin. For most of my life I have been a part time audio hobbyist and purchased equipment here and there. Most of my time was spent working 50 to 70 hours a week, building a house, putting 2 kids thru college and finally paying off our mortgage in tandem with my wife, 10 years ago. I didn’t golf, go to the bar or take a vacation every year and my wife was with me shoulder to shoulder making the same sacrifices. It was only after going on LTD that I ratcheted it up my spending/upgrading for 3 complete sound/HT systems in the living room, office & spare bedroom and 3 minor sound systems in the kitchen, bedroom & garage. I have spent over $10K in the last 3 years alone replacing & upgrading various pieces; 3 AVR’s, Oppo BDP-105, 3 big screen TV’s, AV furniture and my weak spot, speakers. Realistically I can understand her apprehension, where it seems 4 or 5 months don’t pass by without me bringing in a new set of speakers and I do currently have another 3 sets that do sit idle. I have sold off 5 other set of speakers but she takes no notice of that. All she can see are those 3 unused set of speakers and in the last 3 years we’ve replaced the HV-AC, repainted the whole house, completely renovating the kitchen and then my daughter announced her engagement 5 months ago. Put it all together and there’s quite a bit of sticker shock.
In regards to setting a budget, my wife and I have lived within our means our whole life. But this is our only daughters’ wedding and she has been a great kid, so the rules have been thrown out the window. And I have no problem with that …
within reason. Call me crazy but the fireworks brainstorm seemed a bit much.
I have a game plan. Sell off the 3 spare set of speakers and a spare AVR … I can’t decide whether to keep the Yamaha RX-V1070 or the Denon AR75 for the garage … and then announce that these latest speakers are my last major purchase.
Of course I’m lying.
... and she knows it.
