Richard, I have found that getting the wife and/or kids involved with the hobby certainly helps keep domestic peace.
My other half thinks my hobby is "cool" and really enjoys sharing the social aspect of vintage vehicle shows, swap meets etc. The key is to take care of the bills of home and life first and use whatever leftover cash to fund the toys.
Conversely, when the missus wants to go shopping, its a case of give and take; she wants shoes and a new handbag, I'll take some sheet steel, nuts and bolts or whatever.
Being in the hobby long enough one learns to jump on deals that have a potential to turn profit with a bit of sweat equity and legwork.
Sometimes buying up a job lot to gain a valuable piece pays dividends with the swap meet goodies you may end up with.
Keeping an ear to the ground and eyes open has paid off OK for me, knowing what guys are looking for and helping out other hobbyists at the same time, networking etc.
Real easy to explain the pile of new parts that cost you nothing after you collected scrap for months and turned it in at the scrappie for cash, it's like money you never had anyways.
I think the best deal I ever had was the $120 CMP truck that was turned into a $1500 parts truck...
And then there are the times you lose.....
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