Glenn Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Disclaimer IF you are the finance department, the one that controls the check book in a blacksmithing household (and not the actual blacksmith) the following is propitiatory information. We are trying to formulate a plan here !! If you let us get to the end of our presentation, there may be (depending on the size of the expenditure) there may be an offer (out of desperation) to take you out to dinner. ---------------- ---------------- --------------- There seems to be a need to present properly prepared, convincing and or compelling evidence to the finance department that you need additional tools or equipment. Many times those writing the checks do not understand the fine points of blacksmithing, they only see the black left on the bar of soap and the need for you to take a shower before you eat dinner at 5 pm when there is still 3 or more hours of good daylight left for forging. As a public service there seems to be a need to compare notes, discuss what works and what things to avoid when requesting funds for additional tools or equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 To work efficiently, you have to have more than one anvil height, so you must have more than one anvil. Any excuse is better than no excuse at all when telling the wife you need another anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) As with any type of financial transaction, it is all in negotiations and trading. One day at the (opera, mall, or other unpleasant man activity) is worth so many merit points, which can be converted to cash. In my case expenditures come out of the fiscal slush fund that is subject to my discretion. Last time I needed to buy stock at the local salvage yard I took my scrap in, the wife saw this as me "trading" materials. The details of the transaction are a secret, worked out to $2.40 of scrap in, $45 worth of materials out. As they say the devil is in the details. I buy very little expensive stuff, and when I need to do that, I work overtime to fund it. And as far as writing checks? Checks are tracable, Cash is not.... This sounds pretty one sided and selfish, I was being funny, my wife knows what I buy, and approves of it. It is better than spending money sitting in a tavern or casino, she knows where I am and can visit me any time. Now going and spending $1200 on an anvil or $6000+ on a power hammer, that is another story.....my biggest shop expenditure so far was my welder at $700, which is more than it cost to build my shop building. Edited March 31, 2009 by unkle spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 well for my birthday the last 2 years, I have asked for, and recieved blessings to go to a weeks class in blacksmithing, and as for tools etc... the agreement is as follows,"The first of anything I make, must be presented to the financial director, and at her discretion, it may stay there". when the financial director is pleased, the next project, and it's required tooling is discussed. This is how it is done in the Nelson Forgeworks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBower Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 This is slightly tangential, but definitely in the spirit of the original question: aside from roses what sorts of forged items make suitable bribes/peace offerings for the Chief Financial Officer? (Forget kitchen knives. In my case SWMBO is extremely friendly with the freezer and microwave and insists on using awful, cheap, badly serrated stainless cutlery when she absolutely must cut something -- real blades scare her.) I'm badly in need of ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I guess that I am a fortunate man as all I have to do is ask. If the money is there I get to buy it and if not we budget and save until it is and then I get to buy it. There is none of this (most of time) me just going off and buying a big ticket item. I have done it and it ain't pretty so a word or two to the wise, discuss it, plan for it, save for it, then buy it. It will make for a lot happier marriage and smithing. Wives don't like being ignored and left out of the loop and neither do you.:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I have yet to make something that was worthy of the attention of the Domestic Goddess, but, as far as financing goes.. dinner... flowers...(the green kind)... a few things that are un necessary but nice usuaullly cushion the "Look what I got!, and plan on setting on fire etc." As an aside.. if you guys figure this out.. let me know!! this could be the most important knowledge in domestic bliss.... me, my forge, and my wife..... my wife and forge.. sorry little typo.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiphile Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I guess that I am a fortunate man as all I have to do is ask. If the money is there I get to buy it and if not we budget and save until it is and then I get to buy it. There is none of this (most of time) me just going off and buying a big ticket item. I have done it and it ain't pretty so a word or two to the wise, discuss it, plan for it, save for it, then buy it. It will make for a lot happier marriage and smithing. Wives don't like being ignored and left out of the loop and neither do you.:cool: This right here is the best way to get what is needed for a vast array of projects. This is second only to making your own things as you are able. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I present baubles, shiny baubles with little stones in them. Nothing fancy or expensive (need to save the money for smithin supplies), just unexpected. Apply flowers to the above but not because you did something wrong, just because;). Now when the holder of the purse strings is in a moment of romantic weakness mention that you need that (insert item name here) real bad. Usually this works though a second application of baubles or flowers may be required.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 last major expense was funding for building my new shop, as I wanted walls, not that I mind forging in the frozen winter in 4 ft of snow drifts. MY luck was with me when "She who must be obeyed" decided our kitchen was too small, and decided on 7K for cabinets, not to mention all the rest that goes into expanding. So I pointed out that if she gets 20K for a kitchen rebuild, then cant I get 3 or 4 k for a nice looking shop, rather than an el cheapo eyesore that will ruin property values, Then I fell to the floor and cried and had a tantrum until she gave in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKForge Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My finance department knows that I have my "blacksmith fund" which is funded by selling items I have made with my blacksmithing. The fund is also used to buy blacksmithing items or other tools I know I can turn around for a profit by which to further grow said "blacksmith fund." All of my stock is paid for with monies from my "blacksmith fund" in order to keep everything neat and tidy and out of the hands of the finance department. Gifts to the financial director have included a dinner bell, a fire poker, a candlestick and a promise that she gets first dibs on anything new I create before it goes into the "for sale' pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I'm single. Nuff said. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 We had several loans that the payment came directly out of my paycheck every two weeks. Well, actually the amount came from my paycheck directly to my savings account at the credit union who then took the loan payment directly from the savings account. With me so far? Well, those two loans ( the boat and my dirt bike if you must know) have been paid off for several years now. Funny thing is, the money never stopped coming out of my paycheck. We didn't really notice for about a year, then I got a statement and had a PILE of money in there. Now that's my huntin/fishin/blacksmithin/tool buyin' fund. She's got her own purchasing habits, and I try not to complain too much, and she don't complain too much about me spending money on BS'ing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Marry into a family of Blacksmiths! ...worked for me.... Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cross Pein Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I'm joking. My wife has never flat out refused to allow me to make a purchase and I have never refused her. We talk it out and half the time, like the ebay forge in Connecticut that ended last night, I decide against it by myself. That said, I am the one who drags his sorry xxx out of bed at 5:00 am to go to work every day - and is gone til 6:00 pm. So I have earned a toy or two once in a while! - And she spends too. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J W Bennett Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I don't have to worry about it anymore. however I just have to remind myself at times that I can't eat tools. However they do pay for themselves over time. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrous Beuler Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Around here it is pretty straight forward, if there is something I want or need then I have to secure the blessings of the Colonel (wife) and it works on a reciprocating scale. Kind of like that Judas Preist song, "Diamonds and Rust" if I want more rusty stuff I pay for it in diamonds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill83 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Baubles don't work with her. Flowers don't work with her. Mebbe try to keep the finances separate. She sez 'I thought you sed you can make yer own tools'. Mebbe that's why, besides the meteorological and geological phenomena hereabouts, I call this place... Windy Flats Forge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Leppo Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I know she'd rather I spend money on smithing than at the "PA Wine & Spirits Shoppe" BTW Highland Park single malt on sale this month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerkid Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Marry into a family of Blacksmiths! ...worked for me.... Peyton Now your a GENUIS!!!!! I`ll have to remeber that Peyton. LOL:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 As with any type of financial transaction, it is all in negotiations and trading. One day at the (opera, mall, or other unpleasant man activity) is worth so many merit points, which can be converted to cash. In my case expenditures come out of the fiscal slush fund that is subject to my discretion. Last time I needed to buy stock at the local salvage yard I took my scrap in, the wife saw this as me "trading" materials. The details of the transaction are a secret, worked out to $2.40 of scrap in, $45 worth of materials out. As they say the devil is in the details. I buy very little expensive stuff, and when I need to do that, I work overtime to fund it. And as far as writing checks? Checks are tracable, Cash is not.... This sounds pretty one sided and selfish, I was being funny, my wife knows what I buy, and approves of it. It is better than spending money sitting in a tavern or casino, she knows where I am and can visit me any time. Now going and spending $1200 on an anvil or $6000+ on a power hammer, that is another story.....my biggest shop expenditure so far was my welder at $700, which is more than it cost to build my shop building. Beware any man who undertakes to operate on the 'Merit Point' system of trade and negotiation! The devil is in the fine print of the 'UNIVERSAL STATUTE OF MERIT POINTS'. 1. The value of merit points awarded is on a sliding scale and shall be determined by the Finance department. This decision is final and negotiation will not be entered into. 2. The redemption of merit points shall be at the sole discretion of the Finance Department. 3. The value of merit points at the time of redemption shall be determined by the Finance department and may be subject to inflation, account keeping charges, taxes, duties and the law of diminishing returns. 4. Once redeemed merit points will be regarded as having never existed and can never be referred to in mitigation of a purchase during an audit being conducted by the Finance Department. 5. Merit points have a use by date that shall be determined by the Finance Department. This date is a State secret and will never be divulged to the point holder. 6. All merit points can be cancelled without notice or explanation by the Finance Department. Don't want to scare anyone but you need to know the risks before entering into any kind of investment. But don't let that stop you 'cause remember..........He who dies with the most toys wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedavis1092 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I have to say I must be the most fortunate of men. When my fiance (soon to be wife) asked me about my hobbies I think my response surprised her. Her response really surprised me! She said "why don't you set up your forge at my house, and when you are working I will bring you a cold beer." To top that off, we are getting married this weekend and you know what she ordered as her wedding gift to me? . . . A brand new three-burner gas forge! When I told that to one of the guys at the local farrier supply (I was buying new tongs) he said to me "that is some kind of woman" I am the most fortunate of men! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheftjcook Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I am the keeper of the keys to the Royal Treasury. That being said, We always talk over any big ticket items as well as any long term expenditures. We also established early on in the relationship that when given the choice of my hobbies being hunting, fishing, black smithing and woodworking vs. the activities of my youth/bachelor days.... Well...The Queen of the Castle Opted for and lovingly supports my cleaner living hobbies that keep me closer to home and out of trouble. Plus the wood working and blacksmithing always results in nice things made for her! I am also a very blessed Man with a wife who is very understanding!!! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 In todays tightened economy it is critical to align procurements to the goals and strategies of stated business objectives. If your initiative does not align with key metrics no amount of effort will provide funding. Establish an understanding of key goals, the supporting strategies, and the underpinning tactics that are critical to support business objectives. Once established, it become very easy to identify key operational initiatives and prioritize based on the most impactive engagements. I some cases, quantification is required, which will entail an effort in determining timebound and measurable components for the stated initiative. In that case, clearly establish the specific stated measurement and indicate a finite response for timeline. With these items in place it becomes almost simple to identify critical weakpoints, prioritize responses, and quickly align and show response to critical services that align to business objectives, whatever they may be. Hope this helps, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 all valid points. and new angles of procurement...but always remember 1. "oh...t" will delete all your saved up "attaboys". 2. all deleted attaboys are deemed useless and will take forever to build back up. 3. remember no arguments with the head officer and under any circumstances avoid eye contact, as that has been known to cause blindness on occasion, 4. there will absolutely be no whining, because if you get to that stage....your smithy will be your place of residence for a undetermined amount of time. 5. remember that "i love you honey" will go a long way but you need to practice that daily, and sound sincere, and start that strategy well in advance of said transaction. 6. remember the one in charge is always watching you, so be on your best behavior, and don't have any ill thoughts. hope this helps, as all is true and i still won't be out of the dog house for quite a while, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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