Hmm a lot of this sounds very familiar and have used many of the before mentioned tactics ie
deliver to work
won it in a raffle
given a fraction of the price (she only asked the price of the item not the total)
waited to see if noticed
begged forgivness rather than approval (still do)
But the kicker is just recently she made a comment while talking about some of the mods to the Patrol.
swmbo "why havent you got a winch yet? thought you would have wanted one by now!"
me "I do but the current bullbar is not whinch capable so I havent bothered"
swmbo "oh, I didnt know that, Im suprised your not looking at bullbars then! Why dont you see if you cant find a cheap one!"
me "na its ok, it can wait for when we get a new car!"
swmbo "Oh! ok then"
Now most of you would say im crazy for passing an oppertunity like that but that one is tucked away for use later. For when we buy the new patrol (probably in 2-3yrs) , with all the mods that are going to be added before purchase Im going to need every ticket I can