I play the flute but i am thinking about starting a second instrument. I really like the the sound of the oboe but they are soo expensive so im thinking about the clarinet. Would it wreck my embouchoure on my flute.

I personally say oboe as
1) there are fewer oboists than clarinetists
2) there's more potential for oboists than clarinetists

Oboe shouldn't affect your embouchure, I was once told, when I played bassoon, that flute and bassoon embouchures are pretty compatable, and oboe is similar to bassoon in embouchure.

You say Felicity that you like the sound of the oboe but are worried about price, so you are thinking of the clarinet. To me this sounds like you are thinking of the clarinet as almost a 'last resort', though I may be wrong. My feeling is that your heart is in starting oboe, so if you can afford an oboe, go for that. I know of a few people who play both flute and oboe, so it shouldn't harm your flute embouchure.

i agree with barry-clari to anextent.. if what you really want to play is the oboe, then that's what you should go for, no question...

however, if you want to progress quickly on oboe, you have to put in the practise, otherwise you just wind up sounding like a duck for years on end .. if you feel that you dont have the time to put in, as you'll be concentrating on flute (as your principal instrument) then clarinet may be a better option, as you tend to be able to make a better sound and gain a more obvious technique at an earlier stage on the clarinet... which is always more encouraging, and useful.
s xx

Besides the instrument being expensive, so are the reeds. They are fragile too so you may think of buying two at least. They can be inconsistent-two from the same maker may play and sound different until played in. Go for soft reeds at first and think about a good second hand instrument, seasoned in-a lot cheaper and more stable.

It will take a few weeks even months to build up your embouchure so you should plan several short sessions per day in the first weeks.

Kai