Wife spends too much money on stupid crafts

[Anonymous]

One of my biggest regrets in my marriage is that I made my husband quit his expensive martial arts classes when we were younger and it was a lot for our budget. He loved it and it provided real stress relief, it just didn’t interest me at all and seemed silly. I’ve since learned how important it is for us to have our own hobbies and budget for each without criticism. It’s much sadder to be with someone who doesn’t have anything that gives them a little joy these days.

[Anonymous]

Hello, my name is Larla and I LOVE fabric. I buy it, sew some of it and store the rest of it in the closet for....whenever. You can’t make me stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a peach. Just be lucky you found someone who puts up with your bad attitude. Wife's crafting is the least of your worries. You need a new personality.

No, OP sounds normal and it's the wife that has a problem. I am sure she is not working if this is how she's spending all her time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a peach. Just be lucky you found someone who puts up with your bad attitude. Wife's crafting is the least of your worries. You need a new personality.

No, OP sounds normal and it's the wife that has a problem. I am sure she is not working if this is how she's spending all her time.

No. He is a loser. I would have already divorced him and I don't even do crafts. His wife sure picked poorly.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, what is the issue. You sound nasty. Try spending more time with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a peach. Just be lucky you found someone who puts up with your bad attitude. Wife's crafting is the least of your worries. You need a new personality.

No, OP sounds normal and it's the wife that has a problem. I am sure she is not working if this is how she's spending all her time.

No. He is a loser. I would have already divorced him and I don't even do crafts. His wife sure picked poorly.

I came home with some craft stuff. My husband was thrilled and helped me figure it out. He's a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you generally stingy? Can you agree with her on a budget

Bumping this question. If this is her only hobby, maybe it's worth talking through a budget.

My husband likes to spend on alcohol and I like to spend on books. We talk to each other about it but I think spouses are allowed to have different interests. I'm a stay at home mother and have zero interest in crafting. But I have friends who are into it and it seems like a fairly harmless hobby, of course within limits

[Anonymous]

I hope your wife reads this and just keeps on crafting. The gym is your thing, crafting is her thing. Let her have it. Geeze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I assume you've never spent money on something just because you enjoy it? A hobby? Lessons for a new skill? Gym membership?

Don't think of it as "stuff", think of it as an activity that makes your wife happy. Does that make a difference?

OP. I would LOVE for her to spend the money on crafts on a gym membership instead. She could stand to lose 20 lbs but no, she has to eat crap and buy crap. It’s the mindlessness and wastefulness that puzzles me. Yes, I go to the gym and it also benefits her that I’m healthy and in good shape. Her crafts on the other hand? Time and money suck and clutter disguised as ‘decor’. She goes each week and it’s getting way too much.

Oh barf. Let her craft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider yourself lucky, OP. She could have a horse.

-horse owner who pities her own DH

Let's take it up a notch. Consider yourself lucky, OP. She could have gone to a gym and hooked up with a hot personal trainer.
At least, those Michael's craft thingies are harmless.

[Anonymous]

Talk to her, OP, and make a deal. Perhaps she can exercise and eat better/less, and craft as a reward!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I assume you've never spent money on something just because you enjoy it? A hobby? Lessons for a new skill? Gym membership?

Don't think of it as "stuff", think of it as an activity that makes your wife happy. Does that make a difference?

OP. I would LOVE for her to spend the money on crafts on a gym membership instead. She could stand to lose 20 lbs but no, she has to eat crap and buy crap. It’s the mindlessness and wastefulness that puzzles me. Yes, I go to the gym and it also benefits her that I’m healthy and in good shape. Her crafts on the other hand? Time and money suck and clutter disguised as ‘decor’. She goes each week and it’s getting way too much.

You sound like you have nothing but contempt for her. Once you have contempt, there's nothing left in the marriage. Time to divorce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that she buys from Hobby Lobby would be the most concerning part.

Before being married I would intentionally take girlfriends to shopping centers with a Michaels to see if they would take the bait.

Wait. What? You were concerned, before marriage, that your wife to be would waste too much money on crafts or you personally hate crafting? This seems highly unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why buy something for $8 when I can make my own for $96 in supplies? The age-old question...

I do this math every day.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps she can craft herself a better husband.