Several things have helped my cause:
1. I use shooting as a way to involve our teens and other friends and family in outdoor activities.
2. I've made an intentional plan to limit new acquisitions so that it is not necessary to buy more gun safes. Focused on rebuilds the last few years rather than new.
3. Take great care to schedule events so not to conflict with our teens' recreational activities, which all have a higher priority. I maintain a white board where all the possible activities are written down, so I can still attend 2-3 events a month. It takes juggling and planning.
4. Overall costs are moderate, especially when compared to what men of comparable income spend on their favored sports: fishing, golf, etc. Savages, Leupolds, and cost effective Rem 700 rebuilds have been important here.) Hornady and Sierra rather than Berger. Moving to cartridges less expensive to load and providing longer barrel life for more time between rebuilds.
5. Wife joins me once a month or so, and has won her share of events. She is progressing toward her specific classification goals, etc. She is very aware that my coaching and loading contributions are a big part of her tournament success.
6. Overall, I compare favorably with most of the other men she knows and sees everywhere from church to Walmart to her workplace and travel. I'm disciplined, fit, and not fighting with substance or porn addictions.
7. I spend a lot, lot less on clothes than she does.
8. She drives the newer, more reliable vehicle.
9. She does not want much, but she gets what she wants.
10. When I ramp up participation expenses and time in one hobby, I ramp down participation and expenses in other hobbies, and I divest from all the junk.
Again, good shootin'. WD
) on a regular and continuing basis. She can’t help it, I can live with that.
