Wants and Needs

I think the basis for this problem is the two of you view the navigation system or GPS differently. To you, it is a convenience or a toy. To him, it is a tool. I was a long-haul driver for many years and I know the difference between a comfort item and a tool. That job is tough and the lifestyle is hard on the driver. Some drivers carry TVs and pay for satellite hookups. That is a comfort item, a "toy". A CB radio, on the other hand, is a tool and it makes the job more difficult and frustrating if you do not have one. Can he just use an atlas specialized for truck drivers? Yes. They do not have enough detail to navigate city streets and country roads, so you must buy additional maps. I once spent $300 on maps in a single year. A single navigational device would have been a good substitute for all those maps. The atlas costs about 10 bucks and you need a new one every year. Consider the GPS as an investment and it takes on a different light.

He probably is just cranky cause he feels like he's working his butt off and can't have a lousy $60 toy. Mine is going through the same thing. But, that's life. Everyone makes sacrifices. Try your best to get him one, and if you can't, he will just have to understand. Times are hard for a lot of people. If you don't use coupons....START! Use that money you save to buy it for him!! But, time is getting close! Good Luck! CLip, clip, clip! lol ~Happy Holidays~

As some others have said, I believe that this GPS is actually a necessity for his job. I am a photographer and I spent literally hours getting lost trying to get places so I finally had to break down and get a GPS. If you are following a map you printed out from Mapquest, what is going to happen if there is a road that is closed? The mapquest map will still read you the same route. If you make a wrong turn and don't notice, the mapquest map will not help you. However a GPS will tell you turn by turn where you are and will recalculate the route if needed. I would definitely count it as an investment, not a toy or something that he just wants. As far as the one for $59, that is a VERY good deal. I have never seen one that cheap. I would try to go for it if possible... do you have layaway at any stores that might carry them? That is an option as well. How old are your kids? Maybe instead of trying to get them a bunch of toys for Christmas that they will stop playing with after a few days or weeks anyways, try to do some family activities. For gifts print out/write out vouchers for fun things like movie nights, family game nights, a night off from chores, etc. That's what I have often done for my family when I didn't have enough money for the holidays.

this is the question; what would you prefer, a GPS or navigator for your husband, or food for the family, insurance for your car and clothes for your kids this Christmas? why is your husband so narrow-minded as not having to understand that your family needs most than having only a navigator. surely by next year, you can buy him one. but at the moment, he needed to attend first his family's needs and sets aside his wants. navigator won't go anywhere but it he needs to wait until your budget allows you to bought him one.