I must be very lucky, my partner takes pleasure in the enjoyment i get from my hobbies with no consideration whatsoever of " compensation " Although they are both expensive, astrophotography and fly fishing, you all know how much can be spent on astro imaging but multiple rods , reels, fly tying gear and a boat ( blown out another thousand ) eats into any income,she knows she is my best friend and we share the rest of our time together.
NB: She has no personal interest in either
She is also having a 10 day holiday in Bali
Someone here has/had a signature line that went something like:
"My greatest fear is that when I am dead and gone my wife will sell all of my astronomy gear for what I told her I paid for them"
and then there was the "mate's" reply post:
"And when that happens, I hope I am fortunate enough to buy them"
If your spouse disapproves that's too bad. Make them realise it's a healthier and more relationship friendly activity/hobby than most things. If they consider the alternatives they'll be glad you've chosen astronomy over going out getting drunk, having affairs, gambling, or even playing with model trains etc etc.
As long as you're not neglecting your responsibilities as a result, your spouse should be supportive. If you are neglecting your kids, housework and so on because of the hobby then you need to balance things better. But if you're not and your spouse is still giving you a hard time about it, then maybe it's time to part ways.
As far as purchases go, it's the same with money as with time spent. If you're taking from the family budget to pay for your hobby then your spouse has every right to be upset. But if you're just spending your hard earned after you've paid for the essentials then that should be your business. If people disapprove tell them to take a hike.
I'm right out on a limb of resentment. My wife HATES my hobby, and
resents every minute I spend with my scopes,
Put her into a "Total Perspective Vortex" device, that famed chamber that shows precisely a person's exact degree of insignificance as compared to the whole universe
(http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/To...pective_Vortex
At my age now, we just do what we like.
She loves dancing and the occasional pokies, which I hates.
I have seen many couples who have parted company when their kids are grown because they no longer have common interest.
I love my hobby but my eyes are starting to have problem.
One of them has recently been diagnosed with macular degeneration and it is a bit of a shock.
I am winding back a bit now.
No need for compensation, I've won her over to the dark side. Now I just have to let her have equal time at the eyepiece. Life is swings and roundabouts.
No need for compensation, I've won her over to the dark side. Now I just have to let her have equal time at the eyepiece. Life is swings and roundabouts.
A couple who is a friend of ours was setting up their maze of tents and scopes at an outing. Both husband and wife are very keen astrophotographers. They had a little tent for each of their computers, own chair/table/lights, and their scopes.
Me: Aww, that's lovely, it's a his and hers setup!
Her: More like "yours and mine"!
A simple economic argument that I find works for me is:
Tak / Televue / Paramount / AP = Louis Vuitton handbag
Basic mathematics really
sG
You got off light ... The Vuitton got me an observatory and a paramount, then there were the Tiffany diamond earrings for the scope , camera and accessories
Why would you do that, David? If she is on the dark side, then buy her her own kit!
Then you can steal her EP's and blame the dark side for it!
The basic reason is $$$. Another one is that we already have 3 scopes but, of course, we both want to use the biggest one that is set up. Also, I'm so much quicker than her I end up setting up and operating the two scopes. So mostly I just set up one and chill out with the binos or perhaps have a little munch while she is at the scope.
Now I just have to let her have equal time at the eyepiece. 
Life is swings and roundabouts.
