She gave in for fear of saving her kitchen appliances from me "fixing" them (seriously, what's wrong with having a Cuisinart that can puree a tin can?). It would be cheaper in the long run.
Now that's funny right there...I don't care who you are.
I have tried many times to outwit my wife in such areas as finance and arguements, she can remember events from 5 years before, any suggestions would be welcome
I had one of those...I'm pretty sure it's hereditary...her mother was exactly the same way. I ended up after the first 7 years using Madhatters approach...
First steps:
Wife-ack - "honey this is broken, we need to get another one"
Self - "What? After only 5 years? That thing cost $30, I'll fix it"
Wife-ack - "You sure you can fix it?"
Self - "I can fix anything, first I need to run to the store and get (insert random implements)"
Wife-ack - "Wait, how much is that stuff going to cost?"
Self - "I don't know, probably about $10-$20 if I my (random tools) still work, but I need it to fix this thing"
Wife-ack - "So you're going to spend $20 or more to fix a $30 thing that has lasted 5 years...forget it, I'll buy one when I run to the store later"
Self - "Poop, I told you I can fix it but if you think we can afford to buy a new one, at least make sure it's on sale. You're always telling me we spend too much."
Wife-ack - "Well, I just saw a better one on sale at (random store) and it's a great deal, maybe it will last longer than this one did. Besides I've been wanting a better one for at least a year."
Self - "Ok honey, whatever you say"
6 weeks later
Self - "Honey I need to buy a new joystick for my computer"
Wife-ack - "What? What's wrong with the one you have?"
Self - "It's broken, I've had it for 5 years. Now it's not working like it's supposed to and I tried to fix it but..."
Wife-ack - "How much was that thing?"
Self - "Well it was $40 when I bought it new and I just found a better one on sale at (random store) for $150"
Wife-ack - "$150!!! What do you need a $150 whatchamathingy for? You can't just buy another one for $40?"
Self - "Well this one is better than the one I have, they don't make the one I have anymore and this new model has some features I've been needing for a while.
Been wanting it for a year now but I knew we couldn't afford it"
Wife-ack - "But do you really need to spend $150 on a whatchamathingy? Why can't you buy something similar to the one you have?"
Self - "Well honey, look at it like that $30 toaster you replaced with a $100 super elite master toaster sitting in the kitchen...it's on sale and I'm going to use this new joystick more than once a month..."
Silence...