What do you tell your girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/live-in parole officer?

[Ryan.]

I hope my girlfriend is sympathetic to my collecting needs, as I plan on dragging her around through the Boston Con. "Look, it's Tim Sale! Oh my godz! Did you see those Usagi hardcovers? What a deal! Isn't this great??" She'll probably nod and stare at her Blackberry a lot.

[Ryan.]

At the risk of being a complete and utter downer, do you all realize that the original poster is trying to hide his purchases and that this is the sign of a very serious problem?

 

It is no different than hiding alcohol, cocaine, meth, or any other addictive substance. I recognize that a lot of this is meant in fun, but the effort to conceal these purchases is a big red flag.

 

All joking aside, make a sincere effort to stop buying for awhile. You have to determine what is really important to you. Right now, the knee-jerk reaction is comics. If you would prefer your comics over nicer housing, a nice wedding, a new car, paying utilities, or anything else, you have a serious problem. Put it all in perspective and try to get a little distance from buying for awhile. See if you feel better, if your significant other treats you differently, and if your bank account grows. As the pop psychiatry experts are so fond of saying, you feel a hole in your life or yourself and you're trying to fill it with comics. Try watching "Intervention" on A&E sometime and see if the addicts that they profile have anything in common with you. You might be surprised.

 

I know I was.

 

Now back to the fun...

 

Tell her it's interracial, homosexual midget clown porn and it's none of her darned business anyway.

 

You are correct, sir. I tend to justify my addiction by rationalizing thusly: "At least it's not crack or Doritos." Still a problem all the same.

[Foolkiller]

Making money on comics really altered my wife's toleration of the time and energy I spend on it. She would tolerate it to some degree, but I think she respects the passion and work that goes in to the 'comic business' so long as it doesn't overwhelm everything else. Since I travel a lot for real work, I try to kill multiple birds with one stone.

[Dale Roberts]

At the risk of being a complete and utter downer, do you all realize that the original poster is trying to hide his purchases and that this is the sign of a very serious problem?

 

It is no different than hiding alcohol, cocaine, meth, or any other addictive substance. I recognize that a lot of this is meant in fun, but the effort to conceal these purchases is a big red flag.

 

All joking aside, make a sincere effort to stop buying for awhile. You have to determine what is really important to you. Right now, the knee-jerk reaction is comics. If you would prefer your comics over nicer housing, a nice wedding, a new car, paying utilities, or anything else, you have a serious problem. Put it all in perspective and try to get a little distance from buying for awhile. See if you feel better, if your significant other treats you differently, and if your bank account grows. As the pop psychiatry experts are so fond of saying, you feel a hole in your life or yourself and you're trying to fill it with comics. Try watching "Intervention" on A&E sometime and see if the addicts that they profile have anything in common with you. You might be surprised.

 

I know I was.

 

Now back to the fun...

 

Tell her it's interracial, homosexual midget clown porn and it's none of her darned business anyway.

 

You are correct, sir. I tend to justify my addiction by rationalizing thusly: "At least it's not crack or Doritos." Still a problem all the same.

 

Its called growing up.

 

You have no business getting married if you can't be honest with the person you are marrying. If you can't talk with her about it, maybe you need to rethink the entire thing.

 

If she cares about you (and you aren't doing something insane, like spending your whole paycheck on comics), she won't care for your purchasing books that you are passionate about.

 

This doesn't give you a pass though. Marriage means responsibility and accountability. She should have access to your bank account and your paypal account (if she wants to).

 

You don't build a successful marriage on a house of lies or half truths.

 

Sounds to me like you need to go to pre-marriage counseling, but what do I know.

[Jeffro.]

I hope my girlfriend is sympathetic to my collecting needs, as I plan on dragging her around through the Boston Con. "Look, it's Tim Sale! Oh my godz! Did you see those Usagi hardcovers? What a deal! Isn't this great??" She'll probably nod and stare at her Blackberry a lot.

 

And how much is her cell plan each month?

[Ryan.]

I hope my girlfriend is sympathetic to my collecting needs, as I plan on dragging her around through the Boston Con. "Look, it's Tim Sale! Oh my godz! Did you see those Usagi hardcovers? What a deal! Isn't this great??" She'll probably nod and stare at her Blackberry a lot.

 

And how much is her cell plan each month?

 

$89.76 a month. But that's a rough estimate.

[Foolkiller]

Some married folks keep two separate bank accounts and fund one joint account. There's no one right way to do it. So while I personally agree with you dale, I've found a lot of other folks have found alternates to solve their "money issues". Since I make about 95% of our household income, it doesn't really make sense to "keep it separated" nor do I feel it would really be within the spirit of marriage to do so.

[Waylander]

Some married folks keep two separate bank accounts and fund one joint account. There's no one right way to do it. So while I personally agree with you dale, I've found a lot of other folks have found alternates to solve their "money issues". Since I make about 95% of our household income, it doesn't really make sense to "keep it separated" nor do I feel it would really be within the spirit of marriage to do so.

 

One bank account works for us and I get my pocket money

[PulpCultureComics]

Some married folks keep two separate bank accounts and fund one joint account. There's no one right way to do it. So while I personally agree with you dale, I've found a lot of other folks have found alternates to solve their "money issues". Since I make about 95% of our household income, it doesn't really make sense to "keep it separated" nor do I feel it would really be within the spirit of marriage to do so.

 

One bank account works for us and I get my pocket money

 

So are you in fact you are a kept man?

[DR.X]

Have you tried telling her the truth?

 

 

+1

 

If you can't be honest with her, why should she be honest with you? If you have to hide comic books from her, what's next. Another boardie and myself have a mutual friend that just got back into comics. He has to have his orders shipped to this other guy's house, pick them up, and then sneak them into the house so his wife don't go ballistic. Great relationship.

 

[underthebigw]

At the risk of being a complete and utter downer, do you all realize that the original poster is trying to hide his purchases and that this is the sign of a very serious problem?

 

It is no different than hiding alcohol, cocaine, meth, or any other addictive substance. I recognize that a lot of this is meant in fun, but the effort to conceal these purchases is a big red flag.

 

All joking aside, make a sincere effort to stop buying for awhile. You have to determine what is really important to you. Right now, the knee-jerk reaction is comics. If you would prefer your comics over nicer housing, a nice wedding, a new car, paying utilities, or anything else, you have a serious problem. Put it all in perspective and try to get a little distance from buying for awhile. See if you feel better, if your significant other treats you differently, and if your bank account grows. As the pop psychiatry experts are so fond of saying, you feel a hole in your life or yourself and you're trying to fill it with comics. Try watching "Intervention" on A&E sometime and see if the addicts that they profile have anything in common with you. You might be surprised.

 

I know I was.

 

Now back to the fun...

 

Tell her it's interracial, homosexual midget clown porn and it's none of her darned business anyway.

 

You are correct, sir. I tend to justify my addiction by rationalizing thusly: "At least it's not crack or Doritos." Still a problem all the same.

 

I mean this in all seriousness--why are the books the problem? Is it possible you're recklessly spending money on books? Sure. Or is it that your spouse/girlfriend can't tolerate your spending money on something she can't relate to and that brings you joy?

 

If it's the former, you should try to control your spending and figure out what's behind it. If it's the latter, you should figure out what you're doing with someone who can't grant you the leeway to enjoy a simple pleasure in life.

[Dale Roberts]

Some married folks keep two separate bank accounts and fund one joint account. There's no one right way to do it. So while I personally agree with you dale, I've found a lot of other folks have found alternates to solve their "money issues". Since I make about 95% of our household income, it doesn't really make sense to "keep it separated" nor do I feel it would really be within the spirit of marriage to do so.

 

I wasn't even talking about one bank account, just that she should have access. Financial woes (including dishonesty) are a major reason for divorce.

 

I do think one bank account is a good idea when possible.

[oakman29]

All kidding aside,you should never have to sneak around.Always be honest with your wife/girlfriend,and you have a hobby that makes you happy.She should be tolerant of your hobby,that is if you don't spend the rent money doing it.Find that happy medium,and you will have a happy relationship.It's simple really,the old saying honesty is the best policy.If she is a heavy taskmaster than I would wonder why I was with her in the first place.

[Ryan.]

I'm going to level with the board here. I don't actually hide my purchases from my girlfriend nor does she give me a hard time about them. The relationship I'm in now is rock solid and none of what has been inferred by others on this thread from my OP even closely relates to my relationship. My original post was really a goofy way of saying that I buy way too many books and need to curtail the habit. So, while I appreciate all the relationship advice, such as having to "grow up," I think the interpretation has gone a little off-track. I would hope that if and when I am confronted with a real problem with the woman that I don't go to a comic book message board seeking solutions.

 

Unrelated: Did you know it's literally not possible to get a live person from the Massachusetts RMV on the phone? It's baffling.

[Foolkiller]

Just FYI, I feel very differently about a girlfriend v. a wife. I am not necessarily giving full and complete access to a girlfriend about my finances. I'm honest about it, but I'm not putting her as a joint account holder etc. When i got married, it became different, full access, joint accounts -- etc.

 

 

[Dale Roberts]

Just FYI, I feel very differently about a girlfriend v. a wife. I am not necessarily giving full and complete access to a girlfriend about my finances. I'm honest about it, but I'm not putting her as a joint account holder etc. When i got married, it became different, full access, joint accounts -- etc.

 

(thumbs u

[Dale Roberts]

I'm going to level with the board here. I don't actually hide my purchases from my girlfriend nor does she give me a hard time about them. The relationship I'm in now is rock solid and none of what has been inferred by others on this thread from my OP even closely relates to my relationship. My original post was really a goofy way of saying that I buy way too many books and need to curtail the habit. So, while I appreciate all the relationship advice, such as having to "grow up," I think the interpretation has gone a little off-track. I would hope that if and when I am confronted with a real problem with the woman that I don't go to a comic book message board seeking solutions.

 

Unrelated: Did you know it's literally not possible to get a live person from the Massachusetts RMV on the phone? It's baffling.

 

I wasn't specifically telling YOU to grow up. But that is what you have to do when you are getting married. At least if you want it to work.

 

I don't know why you are complaining about our responses on the "comic book message board" when you posted it on the same board. Obviously you hoped to provoke some sort of response, and you must have had some reason for posting it here.

 

 

[Ryan.]

I'm going to level with the board here. I don't actually hide my purchases from my girlfriend nor does she give me a hard time about them. The relationship I'm in now is rock solid and none of what has been inferred by others on this thread from my OP even closely relates to my relationship. My original post was really a goofy way of saying that I buy way too many books and need to curtail the habit. So, while I appreciate all the relationship advice, such as having to "grow up," I think the interpretation has gone a little off-track. I would hope that if and when I am confronted with a real problem with the woman that I don't go to a comic book message board seeking solutions.

 

Unrelated: Did you know it's literally not possible to get a live person from the Massachusetts RMV on the phone? It's baffling.

 

I wasn't specifically telling YOU to grow up. But that is what you have to do when you are getting married. At least if you want it to work.

 

I don't know why you are complaining about our responses on the "comic book message board" when you posted it on the same board. Obviously you hoped to provoke some sort of response, and you must have had some reason for posting it here.

 

 

Because the post was about comics and comic-related habits. Seemed appropriate.

[Dale Roberts]

I'm going to level with the board here. I don't actually hide my purchases from my girlfriend nor does she give me a hard time about them. The relationship I'm in now is rock solid and none of what has been inferred by others on this thread from my OP even closely relates to my relationship. My original post was really a goofy way of saying that I buy way too many books and need to curtail the habit. So, while I appreciate all the relationship advice, such as having to "grow up," I think the interpretation has gone a little off-track. I would hope that if and when I am confronted with a real problem with the woman that I don't go to a comic book message board seeking solutions.

 

Unrelated: Did you know it's literally not possible to get a live person from the Massachusetts RMV on the phone? It's baffling.

 

I wasn't specifically telling YOU to grow up. But that is what you have to do when you are getting married. At least if you want it to work.

 

I don't know why you are complaining about our responses on the "comic book message board" when you posted it on the same board. Obviously you hoped to provoke some sort of response, and you must have had some reason for posting it here.

 

 

Because the post was about comics and comic-related habits. Seemed appropriate.

 

as did the comments that followed it

[AndyBoBo]

I'm going to level with the board here. I don't actually hide my purchases from my girlfriend nor does she give me a hard time about them. The relationship I'm in now is rock solid and none of what has been inferred by others on this thread from my OP even closely relates to my relationship. My original post was really a goofy way of saying that I buy way too many books and need to curtail the habit. So, while I appreciate all the relationship advice, such as having to "grow up," I think the interpretation has gone a little off-track. I would hope that if and when I am confronted with a real problem with the woman that I don't go to a comic book message board seeking solutions.

 

Unrelated: Did you know it's literally not possible to get a live person from the Massachusetts RMV on the phone? It's baffling.

 

I wasn't specifically telling YOU to grow up. But that is what you have to do when you are getting married. At least if you want it to work.

 

I don't know why you are complaining about our responses on the "comic book message board" when you posted it on the same board. Obviously you hoped to provoke some sort of response, and you must have had some reason for posting it here.

 

 

Because the post was about comics and comic-related habits. Seemed appropriate.

 

as did the comments that followed it