What do you think?

[MiSCrEANT]

Just a thread about spending money on fishing gear.

In my situation, I'm 16 years old with a passion for fishing. I love it. It's my happy place. I may go fishing feeling sad, angry or stressed about life, and come back home feeling refreshed and positive.

Along with that passion, comes with all the awesome gear. Things that some of us may spend all night looking up online, researching it and then choosing what is next to buy. (This is certainly me and I'm sure some of you as well).

But I also have parents that have increasingly become frustrated with the stuff I buy online, particularly rods. They don't understand why I spend money on fishing gear. Their concept of fishing is a simple rod, reel, hook, bait, bang. you're fishing. Obviously, fishing has become more complex since their time.

I'm not a heavy spender. I've bought 3 Majorcraft rods from Japan, a Caldia, a 2nd hand Certate, TD Sol and a decent amount of lures and line you would normally expect to buy with this kind of interest in fishing. I'd say I've spent 40% of my pay so far on anything related to fishing.

Particularly mum, has threatened to break, destroy, bin anything that is delivered to our house with my name on it. Fortunately she hasn't yet. Dad seems chill, but still scolds me about gear. I think he's just following her lead so he doesn't get in trouble. Smart man.
My older sisters used to hide their shopping from them all the time to prevent it being chucked out.

I also need to mention, this is not their money I'm using to buy my gear. I'm not that selfish, greedy kid that asks for money from his parents everyday. I have my own part time job, working my ass off in a Cafe. I work Fridays & Saturdays during school weeks, full time during school holidays. And to add to that, I pay my parents $50 a week to cover my 'expenses'. Does it seem fair for them to still be angry that I still buy gear?

Their argument is school bills. I go to a nice school that costs $5K nominally a year. (I think it's even less with the school card and government support.) I'm no way failing school at all and cruising smoothly towards that defense force degree. Fishing and gear is not endangering my future.

Their second argument a car. Given that I normally do 40+ hours in a school holiday week and make $14 an hour(expected to rise with age), I can get my car easily in no time.

I have met plenty of chefs and people in the hospitality industry that say you can spend whatever you want with what you earn, and are astounded that I give my parents $50 a week.

But then, my parents have through hell. My mother spent her childhood in the farms, and grew to up run from her own country on a boat. With her newborn child. (Look up Vietnamese Boat People online, amazing stories. Brought my boss to tears with some of the stories he read.).
Maybe the reason why she gets mad with my fishing gear is because she never got to experience the freedom as a child as I am having.

I know they are doing this because they care about me, but I know how to manage my own spending. I know my limits.

Enough of the deep stuff. Essentially, I disagree with the way my parents act with my fishing gear. It is bought with the money I earned myself and I should be able to buy stuff without worrying about them destroying my stuff. Fishing has literally changed my life over years. From a typical loser that spent 600 hours on CoD in year, to a boy that now loves his outdoors. If they lock out my interests in fishing, I'll go back to video games, which could be just as expensive.

I have 3 packages that are coming in the next week, one being a rod. With their response when I told them about it, It's going to a become a two piece. Maybe three, four, even five...

What do you think about this? Were any of you in situation? Are any of you in this situation now? Wait dumb question...

[Breamtim]

I'm not, but I am young and spend a bit on gear. I have been asked why i need lots of gear. But no threatening. Hope it all goes well.
Tim

[forsterfisho]

It's a hard situation, your parents obviously place greater value on having $$$ in the bank - given the background it is 100% understandable and good on your for seeing both sides of the argument.

I'd back off on the fishing gear for a little while and just keep it to small purchases, like lures (small package = less noticeable..it's all about perception) and save up for a car to show your parents that you're able to save and manage your coin successfully - this is what your parentals are maybe worried about the most?

But good on you for enjoying your passion, balancing work and education!

Cheers
Dion.

[Pies1010]

My best advice is to hide what you buy. I'd also try and help them understand that their are so many worse things you could be doing or spending your money on as a 16 year old. Fishing is probably one the better things a 16 year old could do.

Parents will always get into you about what you buy, I'm 20 and I still cop it haha. It makes its way into the shed pretty quickly these days.

[MiSCrEANT]

Originally Posted by Breamtim

I'm not, but I am young and spend a bit on gear. I have been asked why i need lots of gear. But no threatening. Hope it all goes well.
Tim

Lucky. Thanks for that.

It's a hard situation, your parents obviously place greater value on having $$$ in the bank - given the background it is 100% understandable and good on your for seeing both sides of the argument.

I'd back off on the fishing gear for a little while and just keep it to small purchases, like lures (small package = less noticeable..it's all about perception) and save up for a car to show your parents that you're able to save and manage your coin successfully - this is what your parentals are maybe worried about the most?

But good on you for enjoying your passion, balancing work and education!

Cheers
Dion.

Haha. Yeah well... I tend make purchases only during school holidays. It's been 10 weeks since buying something that gets delivered. I probably wont make big purchases until Christmas.

It's that they've made a living from absolutely nothing. From 3rd world lives to living a developed, 1st world lifestyle. They don't take anything for granted, and won't waste any money to the cent. They consider my spending on gear as 'wasting money'. Which I think is not fair.

I offered to pay for fuel for the family car next time they refill to help them cool down.

[Nugget]

I agree with your parents :/. While you're young I reckon save as much as you can and try set yourself up a little bit. Put money into a high interest account and save. Imagine all the fishing gear you can buy with that extra interest or when your shares pay out if you went down that route. Money gets harder to come by as you get older unfortunately.

[Breamtim]

Originally Posted by MiSCrEANT

Lucky. Thanks for that.



Haha. Yeah well... I tend make purchases only during school holidays. It's been 10 weeks since buying something that gets delivered. I probably wont make big purchases until Christmas.

It's that they've made a living from absolutely nothing. From 3rd world lives to living a developed, 1st world lifestyle. They don't take anything for granted, and won't waste any money to the cent. They consider my spending on gear as 'wasting money'. Which I think is not fair.

I offered to pay for fuel for the family car next time they refill to help them cool down.

Certates and sols aren't a waste of money!

[MiSCrEANT]

Originally Posted by Pies1010

My best advice is to hide what you buy. I'd also try and help them understand that their are so many worse things you could be doing or spending your money on as a 16 year old. Fishing is probably one the better things a 16 year old could do.

Parents will always get into you about what you buy, I'm 20 and I still cop it haha. It makes its way into the shed pretty quickly these days.

True.

You're right about hiding the stuff, I do. But I always tell them when I buy stuff. Fundamental in my books, be honest and tell them everything I do to prevent further trouble. That's the only reason why they get angry; I tell them when I buy gear. To show them I am not afraid of buying it and to show that I think there is nothing wrong with it.

[Windknot]

I think your parents should be very happy that you're involved in the healthy pursuit of fishing. You could be doing a lot worse stuff with your money and your time.

[MiSCrEANT]

Originally Posted by Breamtim

Certates and sols aren't a waste of money!

I agree. They don't. To them it's a piece of metal that costs $300+. I guess it's been 27 years and they still don't realize they aren't in Vietnam anymore. Of course I my aspect would change if I had to go through all the crap they went through. But I didn't.

I agree with your parents :/. While you're young I reckon save as much as you can and try set yourself up a little bit. Put money into a high interest account and save. Imagine all the fishing gear you can buy with that extra interest or when your shares pay out if you went down that route. Money gets harder to come by as you get older unfortunately.

Yep true too. But with my career path I'm considering I don't think I'll be able to fish much when I'm older

[samt]

When people tell me I have too many rods and reels and that "you can only use one at a time anyway" I just ask if they only have one knife and fork in their cutlery draw. They generally ummm and aargh a bit then move on.

[Broomstick]

I think you're parents should be very proud of you. Not many 16 year olds work so many hours, and even fewer pay board. I know that when I was 16 I was an absolute brat - if I wanted something I'd ask my parents for money. Fishing is a wonderful hobby for a 16 year old, it sure beats getting pissed or doing drugs

[tw9635]

im 15 and kinda have the same problem as you, even tho i have my own job and earn my own money my parents still don't like me buying gear. In order to be able to buy a new rod or reel i have to sell my ones in order to get a new one so that there is always the same number in my garage

[Sloth]

Tricky.

Sounds like you'll never be able to justify your purchases to them no matter what you say. They're coming from a very different background/experience to you.

As much as you won't like it I think whilst you are under their roof you need to respect their wishes to a degree. Personally I'd limit fishing purchases to needs rather than wants - replace lost lures but don't add to the collection and assuming your just estuary fishing it sounds like your're more than likely covered already in the rod and reel department.

Once you move out and get a full-time job you can spend your discretionary cash on what you want. Always having a few months savings in the bank, have some investments going but give yourself some discretionary cash to spend on whatever it is you want.

You'll find later as partners, children, mortgages etc come along you get back to the start again and find it harder to justify the "wants".

Lastly and most importantly. When you're young you think your parents will be around for ages, but in reality you get a limited time with these people who love you more than you can imagine. No amount of "stuff" is worth damaging that relationship.

Having said all that though - Ultimately I agree with you - you should be able to spend the money you earn on whatever you want and I do understand how frustrating your situation is. The only advice I can offer that may give you a slight chance to sway your parents opinion is to suggest you sit down with them and explain to them how you feel in a calm and non-confrontational way - basically what you explained to us in your original post.

All the best.
Dave

[MiSCrEANT]

I think your parents should be very happy that you're involved in the healthy pursuit of fishing. You could be doing a lot worse stuff with your money and your time.

True and I tell them all the time.

When people tell me I have too many rods and reels and that "you can only use one at a time anyway" I just ask if they only have one knife and fork in their cutlery draw. They generally ummm and aargh a bit then move on.

Haha! Love it! Actually going to try that on them.

I think you're parents should be very proud of you. Not many 16 year olds work so many hours, and even fewer pay board. I know that when I was 16 I was an absolute brat - if I wanted something I'd ask my parents for money. Fishing is a wonderful hobby for a 16 year old - it sure beats getting pissed or doing drugs

Thanks Broomstick, I think my parents standards are above average. Even though I made up the $50 a week rule, I do believe $50 a week is very reasonable. If I had kids I'd want something back from them too. But yeah also to keep them happy when the courier knocks on the door.

im 15 and kinda have the same problem as you, even tho i have my own job and earn my own money my parents still don't like me buying gear. In order to be able to buy a new rod or reel i have to sell my ones in order to get a new one so that there is always the same number in my garage

That would suck. A lot. It's part of the hobby to expand your gear, and that does not allow it. Sorry to hear that.

Loving the replies, BM is a great community.