Why don't people understand that it's not always possible to afford everything you want or need? It's not

Question

always making excuses, but sometimes you just can't afford to eat out or own a car, etc.

Answer 1

I think that for the most part people have good intentions about paying back their debt at some point in the indefinite future.  "Dining out?  It's only $30, and besides, I get paid next friday.  I can pay it right back."  The problem is that this same mental conversation happens three, four, five, or more times over the course of the week, and when it comes time to pay, the money is not there.  My ex and I noticed this a lot when we would get a windfall (tax refund, work bouns, etc.)  We'd justify purchases by claiming that the bonus paid for it.  By the time we got done, we'd spent the money tree or four times over.

Answer 2

We live in a materialistic society in which immediate gratification rules and in which entitlement is rampant.  Many people are now reaping the consequences of living this way.