Brumby, what you need is an EEVBlog Clearance. Dave's SWMBO would be pleased, and you could pick up lots of Stuff (aka junk) which may come in useful one day. The effort of getting permission just to attend would not go to waste. Just the problem getting 'equipment' back into the house left to deal with.
"What's that?." "A power supply." "I thought you had one of those already!" "I do, but this 'one' is different, it can do 30 amps continuous." "Where did it come from?" (This really means how much did it cost) "I have had it up in the attic for years."
Job done and not a lie told. Just have to keep the other power supplies etc out of sight. The other trick is equipment that
looks similar.
BTW Watch out for "Silent Key Sales" they also bring out the vultures, but you need to keep an ear out in the right circles to hear about them.