Updated my inventory of rolling stock and engines, then made a mistake...

[CBQ Fan]

My wife wanted to know what kind of modeling I was doing with my laptop on the floor in front of the shelf where I store all my cases.  I told her I am updating my inventory with a new spreadsheet I created.  She said ok.  When I sat down for dinner she asked me if I was all done. 

Mistake #1: I said yes I was all done.

Her reply was to ask me how many engines and cars did I have.

Mistake #2: I gave her an honest answer.

She thought it was a little in excess.

My response was I could be out at the bars with the guys every weekend drinking beer and eating wings, getting fat and turning cash into waste.

She was not impressed with my response.

Oh well.  I am still plaing my pre-order tonight or tomorrow.   

[keystonecrossings]

You didn't mention that the spreadsheet also tracks acquisition costs with a total cumulation, right? 

[CodyO]

Just don't add up all your recipts! I got halfway though the box of mine and was already in a few thousand..

[craigolio1]

Model trains....   hookers and blow.    I vote model trains.  She knows where to find me if I'm missing for an hour or so, and it's not at the strippers.

Craig

[peteski]

Model trains....   hookers and blow.    I vote model trains.  She knows where to find me if I'm missing for an hour or so, and it's not at the strippers.

Craig

Are you telling us that you never strip any of your models?   

[CBQ Fan]

I haven't even factored in value yet.  Did you catch that....value, not dollars spent!!   

I also had to remind that a large portion of my collection came from before the marriage.

[peteski]

Being happily single I don't have to worry about stuff like that.   

[Burlington Bob]

By CodyO;

Just don't add up all your recipts!

Receipts are also known as incriminating evidence. Been there, done that!

[Ike the BN Freak]

By CodyO;

Receipts are also known as incriminating evidence. Been there, done that!

I had a dealer who used to change the price labels for me.  Its funny how all my Kato and Atlas units all have a price of $19.95.

But this was hiding stuff from my mom when I was a teen living at home, now with my wife, she's happy I have a "creative hobby," her words not mine, and wants to help out once we get settled in and start a home layout.

[peteski]

There used to be a hobby shop where the owner used to provide a "discreet buying service" to his customers.  They could buy large and expensive O scale or LGB locos (or anything expensive) and have it shipped to the store. Then the customers could pick the package from the store and sneak it into their house (when the little woman wasn't watching).  The hobby shop is closed, but he still offers that service. 

[LV LOU]

There used to be a hobby shop where the owner used to provide a "discreet buying service" to his customers.  They could buy large and expensive O scale or LGB locos (or anything expensive) and have it shipped to the store. Then the customers could pick the package from the store and sneak it into their house (when the little woman wasn't watching).  The hobby shop is closed, but he still offers that service. 

Isn't that what all hobby shops do?
   When I met my wife,or for that matter,was even dating years ago,I told every girlfriend:"I have tons of hobbies,guns,trains,motorcycles,RC cars,ETC,if you think you're gonna change me and stop me from doing that,might as well end this right now.." Worked out,not only does my wife know what I have,but also what it's worth in case something happens to me.

[kalbert]

See if she'd rather you spent that money on booze and other women. Model trains is pretty tame compared to some other "hobbies"!

Maybe have her inventory her shoes and half burned candle jars. 

[rogergperkins]

  I have read this post and understand it to be "tongue in cheek" humor.
I also started an inventory of my MTL cars about 10 years ago. It was prompted
in part by a colleague telling me he wanted to purchase a specific boxcar for his
son and he learned it was over $100 when last sold at auction. 
I simply saved the MTL Excel spread sheet and added column to it for the number of
the item I owed.
Now with over 350 MTL cars and counting, I do not regret I started nor that I told my spouse of 44 years (as of 2012).
Likewise more recently, I did a similar inventory of locomotives; I did this when I started to add DCC locomotives, and use it to keep track of the address assigned to each.
Happy Modeling for 2013!

[TiVoPrince]

TiVoPrincess 
knows that she gets it all, someday.  She is aware of 'some' value in my 'stuff' because if our insurance rider.  I provided specific instructions in my will (and documents that she is certain to find almost immediately) that describes who to contact for selling all my clutter and how to deal with lowball offers.  There are also a few disbursments to friends, finalizing invoices and retuning things that belong to customers so things get properly wrapped up. 

First of the year is a great time to begin getting your house in order.  Vacuum out PCs, change smoke alarm batteries, and locomotive yearly servicing all get done on this non-holiday.

It may not be exactly like winning the powerball lottery, but it will be a substantial enough windfall to provide a nice time for her and 'Pablo the pool boy'...

[Kisatchie]

...I provided specific instructions in my will...  ...There are also a few disbursments to friends..

Hmm... and what will
I be getting...?