How do you rationalize $$$ for diving

Love the answers so far. More from me.....I am addicted to diving and underwater photography. I wear with pride a shirt (given to me by my husband) that says "Aquatic Addiction."

I told my son years ago that I was spending his college money taking dive trips. And my husband's motto is that he cannot take it with him when he goes, so why leave any behind!

Happy excuses for diving - Pam

And my husband's motto is that he cannot take it with him when he goes, so why leave any behind!

So true. I don't think I've ever seen a hearse with a trailer...

Sitting here trying to find the "right" excuse to go on another workshop with Alex Mustard that my husband would buy. Actually started working on this before the week was over.

 

So..wondering what's your best excuse, wildest one, cannot believe they bought that one, got by your brain excuse for spending money on diving.

 

Just asked my husband what my excuse is..."I want it!" And I don't stop until I get it. Thought it was harder than that

 

DiverPam

Get a wife that shoots video. Their toys are often more expensive. Getting a wife to shoot pics is OK but then she will be lots better than you and so you will be depressed. If she shoots video then you can have both bases covered.

Bill

My toy is a present from my grandfathers inheritence. Surely he would prefer me spending his well earned cash on something i love, than putting it in a bank and it disappearing with all my other cash on things i cant remember buying. Beer for one. ... Having said that, im sure he wouldnt of minded the beer, maybe moaned i should upgrade to a good whisky come to think of it.

Plus, its my life, my job and soon to be me and my wifes income. Cant complain.

My excuse to her is, "well the pygmy wasnt quite looking at the camera, better go back down and try again."

Olly

Or have a (young) son (CJ) who is as keen as U/W photog as you. It cost twice as much but I don't have to justify anything. Hehehe

The same problem exists with teenage diving daughters....... at least she has seen a few images licensed and paid for.....

I asked my wife the same question that Steve did: "What is the best excuse to spend money to go diving?"

She answered: "The local water is too cold!"

So obviously simply spending a grand to hop on the Truth Boats to the Upper Channel Islands for a weekend to see the sea lions play is not acceptable so I'll spend ten grand going to Wakatobi for a couple weeks. And, f course that D@MN pigmy is never in exactly the right position and <<fill in your name here>> has a better picture of the same unidentified thingamagig that I do so i keep going.

Turning 70 this year at Wakatobi

Tom

A single word

"Passion"

I think, just like my images, you should be able to title each image you create in very few words to convey your message in creating the image.

If you can't then you probably are not conveying enough in the image you created and did not get it right.

IMHO

Todd

I try and buy the wife expensive jewelry for her birthday, valentines day and Christmas. Then I ask for absurdly priced photo gear or trips for me. I want to go diving again soon...so I bought a lovely necklace just last night.

Overall, it seems to be working...

Having a wife that spends little and makes good money helps a lot!

She loves the beach and looking at dive photo's. She prefers that to diving herself. Who am I to stop her?

Turning 70 this year at Wakatobi

What a wonderful way to spend a birthday. Have a great trip!

-Gina

I confirmed with the wife....

Jewelry is the oil that keeps my diving approval machine working. The latest installment was just made. Diving scheduled for late May.

I wonder if it is maybe a bit more difficult to get a guy to buy into a woman's expensive sports-related addiction than vice versa, though this may have just been my personal experience!! I guess I always thought that women expect this of most men, but it is not so easy to convince a guy that you should be able to take a $5000 trip (especially when he can't always accompany you)...

I did not try to rationalize. I was honest about loving this stuff, and that worked for about 5 minutes, and then - not so well. So, I tried to get him involved. I also tried to reason with him that it was my passion. Finally, I tried reminding him that I was spending my money and not his.

After a couple of years, I gave up, became single, and dove on my own - and eventually wound up replacing the guy with an underwater photographer of nearly 30 years who loves that I talk about lenses during our morning runs, that I converted our 3rd bedroom to a camera room, and that we have a large part of our household budget set up for EANx fills, weekend charters, and trips.

(Not that I recommend taking this route, of course...)

After a couple of years, I gave up, became single, and dove on my own - and eventually wound up replacing the guy with an underwater photographer of nearly 30 years who loves that I talk about lenses during our morning runs, that I converted our 3rd bedroom to a camera room, and that we have a large part of our household budget set up for EANx fills, weekend charters, and trips.

Now...that's the way to do things! Happy diving - Pam

It's a great tax deduction.

Steve

I am going to be dead soon. I don't need to rationalize, I just do it.

By "dead soon" I mean "soon" in geologic time...

Some people say, "He who dies with the most toys wins."

I say, "He who dies with the most toys, and in the most debt, wins."