How would you feel?

@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
April 5, 2010 11:41am CST
On Thursday, my husband came home from work and he was telling me about taking his bike (pedal assist, he modified it last year to have an engine so he could ride it to and from work) to a local moped shop to see if they had a carburator he could use for it. While he was there, he saw a 2006 Tomos Moped and was asking me if I thought he should buy it. Well, I told him that while it might be nice, perhaps he should give it a couple of days to see if it was really meant to be. Basically, I just wanted him to wait through the weekend to get it. If it was still there today, I had no problem with him buying it because we are going to be selling the pickup truck and his old car and I know that the moped is easy on gas. So, Friday afternoon after I got done running my errands, I called him and we were talking and I asked him what he was doing. His response was, "About to get my head skint." I asked why and that was when he explained to me that he went to the shop during his lunch hour and bought the bike. I'm really not mad at him because I know that he will put the money back in the bank as soon as he sells the truck, but I really do wish that he would have listened to me about waiting a couple of days. How would you feel, how would you deal with this issue?
4 people like this
24 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
5 Apr 10
I think I would feel the same way you do. Not mad, but wishing he'd done it differently. He might have had second thoughts about it if he'd waited. What's done is done, though, and he will probably enjoy his new moped!
3 people like this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
So far it does seem to me that he is enjoying it. But I do wish he would have done it a little bit differently. The way that he operates and the way that I operate are slightly different I suppose.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Apr 10
We're all a little different. :) Getting upset about it doesn't make our differences go away.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
In fact, I think that sometimes getting upset makes our differences harder for us to overcome.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
5 Apr 10
From what you described, it sounds like you didn't really make it clear that you wanted him to wait through the weekend. He probably heard you say you were okay with it, but that you were waiting to see if it was meant to be. Being as excited as he was to have it, he was probably worried it wouldn't still be there today. Since you didn't really state your position clearly, you can't really take it as him not listening. He could not have realized why you wanted him to wait. When my husband and I have a conversation like this, I give him a clear yes or no. If we can afford it I usually say yes. If we can't then I say no. If it were a matter of not having the money until another vehicle was sold then I'd say to wait until that point so it wouldn't hurt us financially. He'd understand and would listen.
3 people like this
• United States
6 Apr 10
So basically it's just a difference of opinion. I think the fact that he saw it and had the money means that it was meant to be, and perhaps he felt the same way. As I said, next time be more clear so he understands your position better.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
Yeah, he listens like a man. LOL. I said it a couple of times that if I were him I would wait a couple of days to see if it was meant to be. But, he didn't think that it would last and it was something that he really wanted.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I will most definitely keep that in mind for the next time. He does sometimes tell me that I am not clear enough about stating my opinion.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Apr 10
If you are like me, you will just let it slide. When my husband finds something he wants, nothing will do, but he jumps right into it if it will not put us in debt. I am sure he will like it.
3 people like this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I'm very much like you and that does mean that I am opting to let it slide. It is a very rare occasion that either he or I treat ourselves to something, so I feel like he is entitled to a certain extent.
• United States
5 Apr 10
Well they say one of the things couples fight the most about is money. I would not let this bother you too much unless that was all you had money wise. I would express to him that you did ask him to wait and next time please consider your feelings about making a bigger purchase. I know it makes you feel like he did not consider your thoughts but you know when we see something we really want we tend to want to go for it. I hope this helps and happy mylotting to you.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
It doesn't really bother me about it in the financial sense because we did have some of our tax money left. What does bother me is that I did ask him to wait. I don't like to make impulse buys and to me this felt like an impulse to a certain extent.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
5 Apr 10
I know my man and if he puts his mind to it then you know it is as good as it being here or happening. By asking , it just makes look like being given a heads up of what he intended to do. I would be upset because our financial situation, well is not there whatsoever. At least his goal is to get rid of an item and put the money back so I would not be as mad provided the vehicle sold in a timely manner. I understand that the moped may not have been there either to purchase after the weekend. So I see why he went and bought it. As for your feelings, I would look at the big picture, Does he do this often? Or is it an opportunity that he could not let go by? Another question I have is the other one too much for repairs? Or may be he thought the two of you could mopeding together? I would not worry about it too much. He may also want to sell the other one. I understand that there are two people in a relationship and both of you need to have an understanding when it comes to spending money. Money is the root of all evil. Relax and take care. I would make sure the othe r stuff went up for sale on Craigslist, or another for sale place that is free..
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
He did tell me that I could go ahead and post the truck on Craigslist, but I hesitate to do that until we have another covered vehicle for those days that the weather doesn't permit the use of the moped. We also have an older car that his parents have already committed to buy, we just have to wait for them to have the money to pay us.
@khalida (1126)
• India
5 Apr 10
well it depends the way u see it. if u feel disrespected cause small things in life matter most then u would feel depressed. but again, wasn't it a combined decision to get the vehicle in the first place :)
3 people like this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I only feel disrespected because of the fact that I would have liked to have had the opportunity to see it before he bought it and that wasn't made to be a possibility because he waited until I was doing something with the children when he went and made the purchase.
@khalida (1126)
• India
8 Apr 10
well i think you should tell him about this so that he doesn't repeat it again in any other situation! i would get pissed if i were u and let him take a lot of effort to set your mood right! ;)
• United States
5 Apr 10
We have been married for over 30 years and I can tell you that he does what he wants! But so do I. We have always put our money together and paid all the bills and we talk about what we can and can't afford and what will help the most. But as far as 'getting' goes we get what we want. I think you have to find your 'ground' in this relationship and go from there. With the price of gas it sounds like this would be the cheapest way to go, that the gas savings alone will pay for the moped. When we got our second tax return we went shopping after doing our taxes (long before the instant refund days!) I wanted a new sewing machine, top of the Singer line. $1500! That was what our tax return was used for. Then for the next 6 weeks all I heard was "If you didn't get that sewing machine we could have boght a riding lawn mower!" The day the return came I was so mad at him I went to the store, paid off my sewing machine then went to the farm store and bought his riding lawn mower, brought it home and parked it in front of the basement door, he couldn't get in the door with out moving it! I met him at the door and he said "I thought you wanted your sewing machine!" and I said "YOU wanted a riding lawn mower!" He really felt bad. Then he came upstairs and there sat my machine (I had been making payments on it so it wasn't that much left) and he said "how much do you still owe?" "NOHTING! Everything is paid off!"...then 3 days later he discovered I had switched cabinets the one I was suppose to get was $200 and the one I got was $500!!!!... You said you really are not mad at him so tell him you love him and it will all work out. We have replaced that lawn mower 3 or 4 times, but the sewing machine and cabinet I still use!!!!
2 people like this
• United States
6 Apr 10
Welcome to motherhood!!!! My husband drove semi truck over the road for 20+ years and was gone all week long so it wasn't always possible to discuss purchases. Things had to be done and I got them done, end of subject. He just went with the flow! I know couples that have to discuss every little thing and hey if that works for them thats fine we just have never been that way. Best of luck to you.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I believe for us we are somewhere in the middle. When it comes to large item purchases, we need to discuss it with each other, but when it comes to the every day stuff we are able to make the decisions for ourselves. Part of the reason that we are the way that we are is that we used to have a problem with credit debt and we never want to fall into that trap again.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
He did come around last night and let me know that if I saw something that I wanted that I could go ahead and get it. I just don't know though, I haven't really seen anything that I had to have in a long time. Since I've been a mother, I think of my own needs and desires last.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 Apr 10
Hi Dorannmwin, Since it was a major purchase and you guys had already discussed it then I really think he should have talked it over with you before changing up the plan that you had agreed on. Still, since he will be putting the money back into the bank so it won't cause a big financial problem for you, I think I would let this one slide. It doesn't sound as if he did it to be spiteful to you. Sounds like he was so excited on this bike that he just couldn't wait.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
You are absolutel right. I guess I just sometimes think that I'm not listened to as much as I would like to be.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
5 Apr 10
I would start asking questions about our previous conversation. But, this is a most irritating thing to me. I would say, probably, "oh, what was it we were talking about regarding getting the bike again?" "Oh, right, so what made you choose to get the bike, instead of honoring the decision we made together?" It really depends on the answers receivable from there. But, this usually leads to arguments, and lately I have been trying to be more understanding and empathetic towards others, in an effort to not feel like slapping them. I would, if I realized my mood begin to change for the worse, try to stop and take a moment, to see things from their point of view. Understanding where they are coming from, and relating to them is what too many successful people teach for it to be a thing for me to ignore. I have full confidence in your ability to handle the situation adroitly. With appreciation.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 10
good for you. That happens a lot, you find a good deal and if you don't jump you loose. Been there done that. I am one that likes to look and think then go back and a lot of times it is gone. My husband will say 'if you want it why don't you just get it!' This has been a nice topic to talk about and it has probley helped you work through your frustration.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I actually took the news from him a lot better than he thought that I would. He completely understood that I really did mean to wait a couple of days, but he was afraid that he would miss out on it (and he would have because he told me that while he was loading it onto the truck someone else came in to buy it). I don't like to argue with him and that is why I just kept it in and chose instead to vent on here.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
It most definitely has helped me through my frustration and I think that I've also learned a lot about the dynamics of other families as well in venting out the frustrations that I had.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
5 Apr 10
I think I would have been upset because he didn't call me to say he decided to buy it now instead of waiting a few days. That is the least he should have done being your husband. That would have been the right thing to do I think. Regardless of the money that will be replaced he should have let you know what he had decided to do instead of going behind your back. I know my boyfriend of 20 years would never go ahead and do something like this without first calling me and saying something like "you know I thought about what you said but I really want to buy it today, so what do you think." That would have been the right thing to do in my opinion.
2 people like this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I agree with you on that one. It isn't really asking all that much at all, but sometimes I guess as a human we are apt to make spontaneous decisions. I'll be alright with it, but I am hurt that I didn't have the opportunity to see the bike first.
• United States
5 Apr 10
It's not the end of the world and it could have been a lot worse! But I would still be a little upset. However, it kind of frees you up next time you want to make a purchase! You don't have to obey the "wait on it" disclaimer any more!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
Good point, I wonder how that is likely to go over with him when I happen to see something that I would want to have.
• Boston, Massachusetts
7 Apr 10
Hi Dorann, Well, since you are not mad then better accept the fact that your hubby fell inlove with that bike and really had it. son't stress yourself out. it's really meant for your hubby. how are you today? i hope you're happy seeing your hubby so happy with his new partner. LOL.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I'm doing okay today. Wish that I had my girls here right now because I miss them. I go through a certain state of depression when I don't have them here to babysit, but I know that I will survive. I hope that my SIL gets a new job soon so that I can babysit on a regular basis again.
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
8 Apr 10
Where are your babies? i apologies i might miss the story about them being out. let's pray that your wish will be granted soon so that the family bonding will be there with your babies. happy babysitting friedn....soooooooon!
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
5 Apr 10
I'm thinking he had figured it was okay..and since you were selling the truck he probably thought he wouldn't find another deal like that again? Hmm, not sure what to say here. I think I'd be a little upset if it was me..but he did buy a form of transportation and not some unnecessary thing so it's a hard call-I'd think that he should've called you on a big purchase though-to get an okay or whatever.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I think that more than anything, the thing that gets me is that I didn't even have the opportunity to see the moped before it was already his. I don't think asking for the opportunity to see it before he had bought was asking too much.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
For me ask the payroll of there work when time of giving the salary and go to the captain of your town to that issue.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I'm not exactly sure what you mean here, but thank you none the less for taking the time to respond none the less.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Apr 10
hi dorannmwin oh I think I would go easy on him as he will put the mony back in the bank, I am sort of a softie and your hubby sounds like a hard worker so were I in your shoes I would forgive him, and maybe give him a hug. after all he just jumped ahead a couple of days
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
You are right Hatley, he is a hard worker and I am very blessed to have him as a husband. He works hard to ensure that I'm able to raise our children. And he doesn't complain about the fact that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. ROFL. I've been so very lucky to have a man like him in my life.
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
Well that would upset me, cause being a couple , both should make a decision together.I feel i am disrespected and ignore when i wasn't consulted in major decisions.Why ?Cause if something goes wrong, i am surely, definitely will be affected and involved. Marriage is a teamwork.The husband is the head of the family the leader of the team, but a good leader always has good relationship with his team. (^_^)
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I think that is the most important thing about being in a marriage is that you and your spouse are able to work as a team. We are perfect for each other and this is the first time that a major decision has ever been made independently in the past eight years.
• Philippines
5 Apr 10
It means nothing to me. That's only minor and not something to have recurring thoughts about. He might have some fear of gap or delay so he bought the bike right away. Sometimes the thought of being prompt and not a lazy man enlightens the mood.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I know that you are right. I'm trying to be a very understanding person, but it is somewhat difficult to me in and of the fact that I never choose to get anything for myself.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I would probably have my feelings hurt a little because he didn't wait. But heck, what's a few days? I'd let it ride and I wouldn't say it was an "issue". But the next time he calls and asks what you're doing, tell him you're getting a head skint, and you didn't think he would mind if... Then there may be an "issue". Just kidding...
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
ROFL. I love that there are people that are able to find humor in things that could be major for some couples. I don't think that it is a huge issue but I do admit that my feelings were somewhat hurt.
• India
6 Apr 10
hi dora take it easy my friend, such fight and quarrel between couples is so common, we too fight over money matter, on 5th i got my pension, my wife wanted a saree costing 2000 rupees, i told her, sweety see we are going north india tour on 9th, we can get from there, but she insists... life is not sweet with out minor quarrels.. Thanks for this nice post, cheers God bless you. Prof
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I think that the minor quarrels that we have with our spouse is part of the thing that makes a family work. Over the time that we've been together we've only had a few quarrels and working through them have served in making us a stronger couple.
• United States
6 Apr 10
I would probably be a bit annoyed. I guess I would try to talk to him about it. That I'm not really mad that he bought it, but that I wished he would have taken my suggestion into consideration. Or at least given me a call before actually making the purchase, to make his case as to why he needed it today. You are married, and that means that you are a team. Everyone should be on the same page before a big decision is made.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Apr 10
You are exactly right, and in the eight years that we've been together, this is the first time that either of us has made an independent decision about a large ticket item. We bought a new television earlier in the year, and the decision on that was mutual and we did do the couple of day "cooling off period" before we made the decision to commit to the television.