I talked a "Not so local" pawn shop 1 hour away from me down from $350 to $300 out the door. Came with 2 fresh batteries and looks barely used & USA Made. I believe it was a Hispanic man's based off of the name on the bottom of the batteries. (I mean this respectfully, as every used tool I've purchased from an amigo has been taken care of). Wife was frustrated and my timing couldn't have been worse- Mothersday weekend....
Im in the doghouse until I plumb up something else. Outdoor shower, Jacuzzi Tub. Something.
When the Mrs and I first got married she often had hard feelings when I spent money, usually on tools. How we solved this was to pay each other a weekly allowance after all the bills were paid. Birthdays and Xmas often consisted of cash presents. Occasionally an advance to be paid back later was made. And for you, you can hang out your “plumbing shingle” working for friends and family. All of that I did, and do, is parts and labor. No job bidding. You want your kitchen sink faucet replaced? You buy it, or if I go shopping, shopping is at half the labor rate, then how ever long it takes me, that is how much the job cost. Folks will find out doing it this way is at least half what a pro will charge and usually gets done faster. $3000 to $4000 to replace a water heater? You can do this much faster and cheaper, plus once you are done you get an extra $20 for taking it to the junk yard for scrap! You can even pull a permit if required. If I’m doing it when no one is home I photograph the project, thus making a time stamp for start time. Then when I’m done for the day I photograph the progress of finished project marking the finish time stamp. This works great if you are remodeling a bathroom or kitchen.
Then, you can lend the Mrs some of your money$$
