Glad to help if I can, Jigs.
As a veteran of a couple of closed-minded marriages, I have learned to be very careful in the choice of words when bargaining for more “spending power” on fishing tackle. Believe me, the last words you ever want to say is “This will last me for years”. Even worse is “I promise I will never ask again.”
I fully believe that there is a gender gene that allows the female of the species a form of controlled selective memory. They cannot remember a promise they made to you yesterday, but one you made to them ten years ago can be requoted word for word.
Same thing with prices. Ask them what they just paid for those new shoes and you get a blank look and something like “What does that have do do with it? I needed a pair of shoes in this shade of black.”
On your side, you start lusting after the new Shimano baitcaster in the BassPro catalog, and she looks over your shoulder saying “Why would you want to pay $200 for a reel? Didn’t you just buy one six years ago for $29.95…PLUS shipping?”
Ya really gotta love those wives though. If it wasn’t for somebody in the family keeping control of the outgo, there would never be enough income to keep us out of bankruptcy courts. Then again, if we were broke, bankrupt and out of work we could spend a lot more time fishing. After all, with all that tackle, there wouldn’t have to spend much to go fishing. Of course, it would be nice to have that lighter action rod…or some of those new glow plastics.
Hey honey, did our welfare check get here yet?