Foo - Little white lies

Do you tell them? I do sometimes.
For example I had to buy a new tile saw. It costs $650, but I told the wife it was around $300. Just to avoid any possible arguement because we're saving up for new furnature for the new house. I needed the saw for work though, and sometime she doesn't understand how much some of my tools actually cost.
So are you totally honest, or do you tell little white lies once in a while.

We just don't talk anymore...problem solved.

Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies.

But, I think Henry Rollins put it best when he professed this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrd_jZJxkg).

At $300, you should have bought two saws. Just saying:D

My wife is an accountant, so no point in even trying. She gets mad if I round to the nearest dollar.

Well, my relationship hasn't been going on long enough to get into that kind of white lies. But I think that if it came to money, and we were saving for something, yet I needed something else for work, I would be honest about the cost.

Now if it was something like 'Do I look good in this blouse' or, 'do you like my parents' then a little white lie of 'yes' is ok. Thankfully, she does, and I do(her dad is a drinking buddy) so I haven't had to yet.

Guilty. My wife just can't believe bike stuff, boat stuff, tools, etc. cost as much as they do so I tell her prices she can believe.


Now if it was something like 'Do I look good in this blouse' or, 'do you like my parents' then a little white lie of 'yes' is ok. Good move! The answer to any kind of "Do I look good in this" type of question is always yes. Unless to want the silent treatment for awhile.

Classic .. I have a friend who bought a D80 with Kit Lens and Battery Grip from my boss for $1100 and he told the wife that it's used and he paid $400 for it just like the OP say to avoid arguement !

More of a rose:

http://www.vivisjournal.com/vivis_wine_notes/White_lie001_edited_2D1.jpg

... Brad

Knowing when to lie is one of the keys to a long and happy marriage. That and low expectations.;)

My wife is hyper detail oriented so any form of deception will eventually get caught. As a matter of fact, every time I make a statement that contains any technical inaccuracies, I tend to get corrected. This drives me nuts because it seems like there is more focus on analyzing the content of what I'm saying for mistakes rather than getting the substance.

With regards to your specific situation, I'd just say balls out that the saw is expensive but that you really need it. I would also state what the alternatives were. Getting people used to the truth is much handier than hiding it, particularly in money matters.

For example, it wasn't that long ago that my wife thought that $175 was a lot to pay for a bike that I was going to be using for commuting 36 miles a day. My most recent purchase was for a cassette, new RD (plus a new chain) to help me on endurance climbing rides. Since she is knows what bike parts cost, she was very happy to hear that I was spending only $300 on that. She also did not flinch at a headlight that cost over $400, and I doubt she'll have problems with an $800 set of wheels I have my eye on. All I have to do is articulate what you really get for your money when you spend the extra dough.

Now if it was something like 'Do I look good in this blouse' or, 'do you like my parents' then a little white lie of 'yes' is ok. Thankfully, she does, and I do(her dad is a drinking buddy) so I haven't had to yet.
These are not lies. Any combination of words that imply a "correct" answer is not a question even if phrased as such.

If this counts as lying, I do it constantly. The key to knowing how to respond to something someone says/asks is to think about what the long term implications of what you say are.

My wife and I are always honest; sometimes too honest. I will even tell her if her butt looks big in a pair of jeans or in a dress. I am not kidding.

Honesty is a good thing to have, and from the limited experiences I have, its one of the fundamental foundations of a relationship.

An occassional white lie about a purchase is one thing, but when people find out, they remember it, and never forget it. Too many, and the other person will just start calling BS on every other statement.

Use white lies with care. Lies are one of the biggest things that will shatter a relationship.

My wife and I are always honest; sometimes too honest. I will even tell her if her butt looks big in a pair of jeans or in a dress. I am not kidding.

And you are still married to this woman? :D

Actually, that sounds very healthy! Good for you.

... Brad

I never lie to my wife. Now I may use a lie of omission. Such as "I bought a new bike today" no mention of cost. If she doesn't ask then I don't tell. If she does ask, then I am vague as in "it was on sale". Usually that ends it. If not then I have some 'splainin to do.

I never lie about the amount, but occasionally I will amend the circumstances that require a purchase. ;)

i have been known to hoard cash and stash it in my bike fund. I have also been known to use friends to do my bike transactions online for me and pay them out of my bike fund. The Falcon was built using the jsharr cash hoarding and dispersal method.

I never lie to my wife. Now I may use a lie of omission. Such as "I bought a new bike today" no mention of cost. If she doesn't ask then I don't tell. If she does ask, then I am vague as in "it was on sale". Usually that ends it. If not then I have some 'splainin to do.


Sounds about like my girlfriend and I. I also omit my opinion on certain questions like "does this shirt look good on me" by asking her if SHE likes it. It works.

I have learned to never ask my wife the price of a new blouse or purse or gym outfit. She seems to reciprocate by not asking how much the bibs cost or whatever. However, she handles our budget and pays the bills, so she has total access to most of my expenditures. Hence the creation of the jsharr cash hoarding method.

Are your spouses really that clueless when it comes to how much stuff costs that you can get away with it?

I guess there is an upside to having a spouse who doesn't ride.

my wife does not ride, but she realizes that all my hobby/recreation expenditures are expensive. At least biking is cheaper than sailing.

Are your spouses really that clueless when it comes to how much stuff costs that you can get away with it?

I guess there is an upside to having a spouse who doesn't ride.

Amount and size of boxes are about the only things that tips her off... I found getting rid of packaging before my girlfriend sees it defrays alot of questions.

Are your spouses really that clueless when it comes to how much stuff costs that you can get away with it?

I guess there is an upside to having a spouse who doesn't ride.

My wife rides, but is clueless about what she is riding or the cost thereof. She does have nice bikes, though sometimes I think the color is what counts.

Amount and size of boxes are about the only things that tips her off... I found getting rid of packaging before my girlfriend sees it defrays alot of questions.

order a pair of assos bibs. show her the small package they came in. this should help confuse her if she is associating package size to cost.:D

Natalie Portman put it best in Closer

"Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking off her clothes...but its better if you do"

That holds true for men too.


So I lie all the time.

order a pair of assos bibs. show her the small package they came in. this should help confuse her if she is associating package size to cost.:D

Hmm. Might just work. I also need to keep a stock pile of inexpensive jerseys/parts that she doesn't see. That way I can just pull out a new one when packaging is discovered. Wait... I should be promoting honesty! Plan B- remove items from room that may injure when hurled, tell her the price, and duck anyways.