Ever find yourself in the position of buying something you really want but don’t really need? The easy part is convincing yourself that you actually need it. Then comes the hard part – convincing your family that a portable pizza oven, new drill, or bread maker is an absolute necessity. It seems like we all have a sales expert in us:

How to convince your family to let you make the purchase

We found a helpful forum on Quora that might help you convince your partner to let you buy a very expensive gift for yourself. Since one of our listeners was at loggerheads with their husband about a mobile pizza oven, we’ll use it as an example:

1. Communicate openly: Explain why you REALLY need that mobile pizza oven.
2. Listen to their concerns: They’re going to have a few reservations about the costs and how much you’re actually going to use that mobile pizza oven. Luckily you’re prepared
3. Highlight the benefits: You have done your research by watching endless Youtube videos on the subject and you are convinced a mobile pizza oven will benefit BOTH of you.
4. Set a budget: We won’t recommend it; but some people choose to withhold the full cost during the negotiation process.
5. Explore alternatives: The extensive research you’ve done has given you at least 3 different options.
6. Consider a trade-off: Offer to make a trade-off with your family. For example – you won’t buy yourself new running equipment for at least 3 months if they let you buy that mobile pizza oven.
7. Timing is key: Choose a good time to have the conversation with your family – like the time of the month every craves pizza.
8. Show appreciation: Acknowledge your partner or family’s perspective and willingness to discuss the matter with you. Even if they disagree.
9. Take initiative: Go ahead and buy it anyway. You can apologise later (NOT RECOMMENDED)