My SIL (DH's younger sis) is turning 23 next week. She currently is working full time with good salary and going to school part time. Her car desperately needs a paint job. MIL was just talking to her yesterday that maybe she should get it painted. SIL basically said she didn't care and would rather use the money for something else.
DH comes up with the brilliant idea to trade his car with his sis's and surprise her with a newly painted car. See, he has a business friend that could paint it for $100. We dicussed this and even though it was a little more than I wanted to spend on a birthday gift, he *really* seemed to be proud of his idea. So I said $100 max on this gift and he agreed.
Now, I just learned that $100 is just for paint and doesnt include labor. He wants to spend $200 now and I disagreed and said we should buy another gift within our original budget. He is mad at me! WWYD?
2007-10-18 18:08:06 · 18 answers · asked by lemontree 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I would stick to my guns.
"It was hard enough for me to agree on $100 and now it's double. We get something else for her."
2007-10-18 18:15:51 · answer #1 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$200 is still a good deal on painting a car. But I dunno, you have to work it out yourselves. If it were an option, I'd say compromise, but I don't know if there is an effective compromise in this situation.
If she doesn't care what her car looks like (and why should she? and if she doesn't, why should anyone else? it's just a car) then maybe you could just give her $150 (or whatever amount you can agree on) cash and let her do with it as she likes.
2007-10-18 18:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Finances.... **sigh**
See if you can find some other family members to go in on the gift with you, or talk to him about this gift being it for birthday and christmas, something like that.
Just because it's a good idea doesn't mean it fits the budget.
2007-10-18 18:16:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a budget and can't go past that.
What part of this can't he understand?
He needs to talk to his family, and maybe some of her friends, and pass the hat for donations to this fund.
If not, he can get her a gift certificate of some sort.
2007-10-18 18:15:23 · answer #4 · answered by revsuzanne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she doesnt even want a paint job she already told you that. ask DH why he would want to surprise her with something she doesnt want? it may be a brilliant plan, but SIL doesnt seem to be into it! think of a new gift.
2007-10-18 18:12:40 · answer #5 · answered by redkazoo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is his little sister, and I think he sort of feels that it's his right to help spoil her. That said, I think you should let him- but only with the proviso that Christmas is something extra-small, like her favorite candy wrapped in a colorful wrapping with a personal card. It sounds like he really wants to do this- let him, but always remember the golden word: compromise.
2007-10-18 18:12:20 · answer #6 · answered by silvrene~chan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that if he wants to put out $150, fine, but you are only in a position to spend $50.
2007-10-18 18:11:52 · answer #7 · answered by PEGGY S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stick with your first plan its normally the right one. If she wants her car painted let her pay for it. Stick to your budget.
2007-10-18 18:14:15 · answer #8 · answered by widow1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow , you comprimised more than you should have in the first place and he wants more? put your foot down, next its going to be "but that doesnt include the paint"
2007-10-18 18:12:51 · answer #9 · answered by Rina 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that scope creep has no place in this project. He must stick to the original budget.
2007-10-18 18:12:24 · answer #10 · answered by DonPedro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋