diff --git a/app/models/ability.rb b/app/models/ability.rb
index e4258cfae..62e3b25c5 100644
--- a/app/models/ability.rb
+++ b/app/models/ability.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ def admin
   end
 
   def checkout
-    can :manage, Reservation
     cannot :archive, Reservation
     cannot :renew, Reservation unless AppConfig.check(:enable_renewals)
     cannot :destroy, Reservation do |r|
@@ -49,6 +48,7 @@ def checkout
     can :read, EquipmentItem
     can :override, :reservation_errors if AppConfig.get(:override_on_create)
     can :override, :checkout_errors if AppConfig.get(:override_at_checkout)
+    can :hide, [Announcement, AnnouncementMock]
     normal
   end
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def normal
     can :update_index_dates, Reservation
     can :view_all_dates, Reservation
     can :view_detailed, EquipmentModel
-    can :hide, Announcement
+    can :hide, [Announcement, AnnouncementMock]
   end
 
   def guest
@@ -75,10 +75,10 @@ def guest
     can :reload_catalog_cart, :all
     can :update_cart, :all
     can :create, User if AppConfig.check(:enable_new_users)
-    can :hide, Announcement
+    can :hide, [Announcement, AnnouncementMock]
   end
 
   def banned
-    can :hide, Announcement
+    can :hide, [Announcement, AnnouncementMock]
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/controllers/announcements_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/announcements_controller_spec.rb
index cbf25a9ca..f288155d7 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/announcements_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/announcements_controller_spec.rb
@@ -1,182 +1,128 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
 require 'spec_helper'
-
-shared_examples_for 'page success' do
-  it { is_expected.to respond_with(:success) }
-  it { is_expected.not_to set_flash }
-end
-
-shared_examples_for 'access denied' do
-  it { is_expected.to redirect_to(root_url) }
-  it { is_expected.to set_flash }
-end
+require "cancan/matchers"
 
 describe AnnouncementsController, type: :controller do
   before(:each) { mock_app_config }
 
   describe 'with admin' do
-    before do
-      sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:admin)
-    end
-    context 'GET index' do
+    before { mock_user_sign_in(UserMock.new(:admin)) }
+    describe 'GET index' do
       before do
+        allow(Announcement).to receive(:all).and_return(Announcement.none)
         get :index
       end
-      it_behaves_like 'page success'
-      it { is_expected.to render_template(:index) }
-      it 'should assign @announcements to all Announcements' do
-        expect(assigns(:announcements)).to eq(Announcement.all)
+      it_behaves_like 'successful request', :index
+      it 'gets all announcements' do
+        expect(Announcement).to have_received(:all).twice
       end
     end
+
     context 'GET new' do
       before do
+        allow(Announcement).to receive(:new)
         get :new
       end
-      it 'sets the default announcement' do
-        expect(assigns(:announcement)[:starts_at]).to\
-          eq(Time.zone.today)
-        expect(assigns(:announcement)[:ends_at]).to\
-          eq(Time.zone.today + 1.day)
+      it 'makes a new announcement with appropriate dates' do
+        dates = { starts_at: Time.zone.today, ends_at: Time.zone.today + 1.day }
+        expect(Announcement).to have_received(:new).with(dates)
       end
-      it_behaves_like 'page success'
-      it { is_expected.to render_template(:new) }
-    end
-    context 'GET edit' do
-      before do
-        get :edit, id: FactoryGirl.create(:announcement)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'page success'
-      it { is_expected.to render_template(:edit) }
+      it_behaves_like 'successful request', :new
     end
+
     context 'POST create' do
-      context 'with correct params' do
+      context 'successful save' do
+        let!(:announcement) { AnnouncementMock.new(save: true) }
         before do
-          @attributes = FactoryGirl.attributes_for(:announcement)
-          post :create, announcement: @attributes
+          allow(Announcement).to receive(:new).and_return(announcement)
+          post :create, announcement: { id: 1 }
         end
-        it 'should create the new announcement' do
-          expect(Announcement.find(assigns(:announcement).id)).not_to be_nil
-        end
-        it 'should pass the correct params' do
-          expect(assigns(:announcement)[:starts_at].to_date).to\
-            eq(@attributes[:starts_at].to_date)
-          expect(assigns(:announcement)[:ends_at].to_date).to\
-            eq(@attributes[:ends_at].to_date)
+        it 'creates a new announcement' do
+          expect(Announcement).to have_received(:new).twice
+          expect(announcement).to have_received(:save)
         end
         it { is_expected.to redirect_to(announcements_path) }
-        it { is_expected.to set_flash }
+        it { is_expected.to set_flash[:notice] }
       end
-      context 'with incorrect params' do
+      context 'unsuccessful save' do
+        let!(:announcement) { AnnouncementMock.new(save: false) }
         before do
-          @attributes = FactoryGirl.attributes_for(:announcement)
-          @attributes[:ends_at] = Time.zone.today - 1.day
-          post :create, announcement: @attributes
+          allow(Announcement).to receive(:new).and_return(announcement)
+          post :create, announcement: { id: 1 }
         end
         it { is_expected.to render_template(:new) }
       end
     end
+
     context 'PUT update' do
-      before do
-        @new_attributes = FactoryGirl.attributes_for(:announcement)
-        @new_attributes[:message] = 'New Message!!'
-        put :update, id: FactoryGirl.create(:announcement),
-                     announcement: @new_attributes
+      context 'successful update' do
+        let!(:announcement) do
+          AnnouncementMock.new(traits: [:findable], update_attributes: true)
+        end
+        before do
+          put :update, id: announcement.id, announcement: { id: 1 }
+        end
+        it { is_expected.to redirect_to(announcements_url) }
+        it { is_expected.to set_flash[:notice] }
       end
-      it 'updates the announcement' do
-        expect(assigns(:announcement)[:message]).to\
-          eq(@new_attributes[:message])
+      context 'unsuccessful update' do
+        let!(:announcement) do
+          AnnouncementMock.new(traits: [:findable], update_attributes: false)
+        end
+        before do
+          put :update, id: announcement.id, announcement: { id: 1 }
+        end
+        it { is_expected.to render_template(:edit) }
       end
     end
+
     context 'DELETE destroy' do
-      before do
-        delete :destroy, id: FactoryGirl.create(:announcement)
-      end
+      let!(:announcement) { AnnouncementMock.new(traits: [:findable]) }
+      before { delete :destroy, id: announcement.id }
       it 'should delete the announcement' do
-        expect(Announcement.where(id:  assigns(:announcement)[:id])).to be_empty
+        expect(announcement).to have_received(:destroy).with(:force)
       end
       it { is_expected.to redirect_to(announcements_path) }
     end
   end
-  context 'is not admin' do
-    before do
-      sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:user)
-      @announcement = FactoryGirl.create(:announcement)
-      @attributes = FactoryGirl.attributes_for(:announcement)
-    end
 
+  context 'is not admin' do
+    before { mock_user_sign_in }
     context 'GET index' do
-      before do
-        get :index
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'access denied'
+      before { get :index }
+      it_behaves_like 'redirected request'
     end
     context 'POST create' do
-      before do
-        post :create, announcement: @attributes
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'access denied'
+      before { post :create, announcement: { id: 1 } }
+      it_behaves_like 'redirected request'
     end
     context 'PUT update' do
-      before do
-        put :update, id: @announcement
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'access denied'
+      before { put :update, id: 1 }
+      it_behaves_like 'redirected request'
     end
     context 'DELETE destroy' do
-      before do
-        delete :destroy, id: @announcement
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'access denied'
+      before { delete :destroy, id: 1 }
+      it_behaves_like 'redirected request'
     end
   end
-  context 'GET hide as' do
-    shared_examples 'can hide announcement' do
+
+  describe 'GET hide as' do
+    shared_examples 'can hide announcement' do |user_type|
+      let!(:announcement) { AnnouncementMock.new(traits: [:findable]) }
       before do
-        @announcement = FactoryGirl.create(:announcement)
+        mock_user_sign_in(UserMock.new(user_type))
         request.env['HTTP_REFERER'] = 'where_i_came_from'
-        get :hide, id: @announcement
+        #puts "id! ", announcement.id
+        get :hide, id: announcement.id
       end
-      it 'should set some cookie values' do
+      it 'sets some cookie values' do
         name = 'hidden_announcement_ids'
         jar = request.cookie_jar
-        jar.signed[name] = [@announcement[:id].to_s]
+        jar.signed[name] = [announcement.id.to_s]
         expect(response.cookies[name]).to eq(jar[name])
       end
     end
-    context 'superuser' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:superuser)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
-    context 'admin' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:admin)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
-    context 'patron' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:user)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
-    context 'checkout person' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:checkout_person)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
-    context 'guest' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:guest)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
-    context 'banned user' do
-      before do
-        sign_in FactoryGirl.create(:banned)
-      end
-      it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement'
-    end
+    ROLES = [:superuser, :admin, :checkout_person, :user, :guest, :banned]
+    ROLES.each { |r| it_behaves_like 'can hide announcement', r }
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/support/controller_helpers.rb b/spec/support/controller_helpers.rb
index 87e36a0f3..a90cf501c 100644
--- a/spec/support/controller_helpers.rb
+++ b/spec/support/controller_helpers.rb
@@ -1,14 +1,21 @@
-# some basic helpers to simulate devise controller methods in specs
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/user.rb')
+
 module ControllerHelpers
-  def current_user
-    user_session_info =
-      response.request.env['rack.session']['warden.user.user.key']
-    return unless user_session_info
-    user_id = user_session_info[0][0]
-    User.find(user_id)
+  def mock_user_sign_in(user = UserMock.new(traits: [:findable]))
+    pass_app_setup_check
+    allow(request.env['warden']).to receive(:authenticate!).and_return(user)
+    # necessary for permissions to work
+    allow(ApplicationController).to receive(:current_user).and_return(user)
+    allow(Ability).to receive(:new).and_return(Ability.new(user))
+    allow_any_instance_of(described_class).to \
+      receive(:current_user).and_return(user)
   end
 
-  def user_signed_in?
-    !current_user.nil?
+  private
+
+  def pass_app_setup_check
+    allow(AppConfig).to receive(:first).and_return(true) unless AppConfig.first
+    allow(User).to receive(:count).and_return(1) unless User.first
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/announcement.rb b/spec/support/mockers/announcement.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ef1d03f00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/announcement.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+
+class AnnouncementMock < Mocker
+  def self.klass
+    Announcement
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'Announcement'
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/category.rb b/spec/support/mockers/category.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9c4cc7521
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/category.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/equipment_model.rb')
+
+class CategoryMock < Mocker
+  def self.klass
+    Category
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'Category'
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def with_equipment_models(models: nil, count: 1)
+    models ||= Array.new(count) { EquipmentModelMock.new }
+    parent_has_many(mocked_children: models, parent_sym: :category,
+                    child_sym: :equipment_models)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/equipment_item.rb b/spec/support/mockers/equipment_item.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..87f69f37b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/equipment_item.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/equipment_model.rb')
+
+class EquipmentItemMock < Mocker
+  def self.klass
+    EquipmentItem
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'EquipmentItem'
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def with_model(model: nil)
+    model ||= EquipmentModelMock.new
+    child_of_has_many(mocked_parent: model, parent_sym: :equipment_model,
+                      child_sym: :equipment_items)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/equipment_model.rb b/spec/support/mockers/equipment_model.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..398137a2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/equipment_model.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/category.rb')
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/equipment_item.rb')
+
+class EquipmentModelMock < Mocker
+  def self.klass
+    EquipmentModel
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'EquipmentModel'
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def with_item(item:)
+    with_items(items: [item])
+  end
+
+  def with_items(items: nil, count: 1)
+    items ||= Array.new(count) { EquipmentItemMock.new }
+    parent_has_many(mocked_children: items, parent_sym: :equipment_model,
+                    child_sym: :equipment_items)
+  end
+
+  def with_category(cat: nil)
+    cat ||= CategoryMock.new
+    child_of_has_many(mocked_parent: cat, parent_sym: :category,
+                      child_sym: :equipment_models)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb b/spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8b95b22a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require 'rspec/mocks/standalone'
+
+# This class behaves as an extension of rspec-mocks' instance_spy.
+# It is intended to be extended and used to make mocking models much simpler!
+#
+# To create a new subclass, the following methods must be overridden:
+#   - self.klass must return the class that the subclass is mocking
+#   - self.klass_name must return a string that matches the class being mocked
+#
+# Some examples using the EquipmentModelMock subclass:
+#   A mock that can be "found" with EquipmentModel#find:
+#     EquipmentModelMock.new(traits: [:findable])
+#   A mock with a set of attributes:
+#     EquipmentModelMock.new(name: 'Camera', late_fee: 3)
+#   A mock with attributes and method stubs:
+#     EquipmentModelMock.new(name: 'Camera', model_restriced: false)
+#   A findable mock with attributes:
+#     EquipmentModelMock.new(traits: [:findable], name: 'Camera')
+#
+# A trait can be any method that exists on the mocker superclass or child class.
+# To create an EquipmentModel that belongs to an existing category, camera:
+#   EquipmentModelMock.new(traits: [[:with_category, cat: camera]])
+#
+# Use caution before adding methods -- any method defined here should be usable
+# by all subclasses, with the exception of the association stub methods.
+
+class Mocker < RSpec::Mocks::InstanceVerifyingDouble
+  include RSpec::Mocks
+
+  FIND_METHODS = [:find, :find_by_id].freeze
+
+  def initialize(traits: [], **attrs)
+    # from RSpec::Mocks::ExampleMethods
+    # combination of #declare_verifying_double and #declare_double
+    ref = ObjectReference.for(self.class.klass_name)
+    RSpec::Mocks.configuration.verifying_double_callbacks.each do |block|
+      block.call(ref)
+    end
+    attrs ||= {}
+    super(ref, attrs)
+    as_null_object
+    process_traits(traits)
+  end
+
+  def process_traits(traits)
+    traits.each { |t| send(*t) }
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def klass
+    Object
+  end
+
+  def klass_name
+    'Object'
+  end
+
+  def spy
+    self
+  end
+
+  # lets us use rspec-mock syntax in mockers
+  def receive(method_name, &block)
+    Matchers::Receive.new(method_name, block)
+  end
+
+  def allow(target)
+    AllowanceTarget.new(target)
+  end
+
+  # Traits
+  def findable
+    id = FactoryGirl.generate(:unique_id)
+    allow(spy).to receive(:id).and_return(id)
+    FIND_METHODS.each do |method|
+      allow(self.class.klass).to receive(method)
+      allow(self.class.klass).to receive(method).with(id).and_return(spy)
+      allow(self.class.klass).to receive(method).with(id.to_s).and_return(spy)
+    end
+  end
+
+  # Generalized association stubs
+  def child_of_has_many(mocked_parent:, parent_sym:, child_sym:)
+    allow(spy).to receive(parent_sym).and_return(mocked_parent)
+    children = if mocked_parent.send(child_sym).is_a? Array
+                 mocked_parent.send(child_sym) << spy
+               else
+                 [spy]
+               end
+    allow(mocked_parent).to receive(child_sym).and_return(children)
+  end
+
+  def parent_has_many(mocked_children:, parent_sym:, child_sym:)
+    if mocked_children.is_a? Array
+      mocked_children.each do |child|
+        allow(child).to receive(parent_sym).and_return(spy)
+      end
+    end
+    allow(spy).to receive(child_sym).and_return(mocked_children)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/reservation.rb b/spec/support/mockers/reservation.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4c1f09914
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/reservation.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+
+class ReservationMock < Mocker
+  def self.klass
+    Reservation
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'Reservation'
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def for_user(user:)
+    child_of_has_many(mocked_parent: user, parent_sym: :reserver,
+                      child_sym: :reservations)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/mockers/user.rb b/spec/support/mockers/user.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1270ac456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/mockers/user.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require Rails.root.join('spec/support/mockers/mocker.rb')
+
+class UserMock < Mocker
+  def initialize(role = :user, traits: [], **attrs)
+    attrs = FactoryGirl.attributes_for(role).merge attrs
+    traits = [:findable] if traits.empty?
+    super(traits: traits, **attrs)
+  end
+
+  def self.klass
+    User
+  end
+
+  def self.klass_name
+    'User'
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/shared_examples/controller_examples.rb b/spec/support/shared_examples/controller_examples.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3d645a7b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/support/shared_examples/controller_examples.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+shared_examples_for 'successful request' do |template|
+  it { is_expected.to respond_with(:success) }
+  it { is_expected.to render_template(template) }
+  it { is_expected.not_to set_flash }
+end
+
+shared_examples_for 'redirected request' do
+  it { expect(response).to be_redirect }
+  it { is_expected.to set_flash }
+end