I was giving a friend a ride. He owes some $30,000 on credit cards and had lost an apartment when he lost his job. Moving out cost him a $2,500, lease penalty which he put on his credit card. (I’d never have moved into such a fancy apartment to begin with.) So, his phone rings. It’s his son. Some band they liked was in town. They agreed to meet for dinner and he did a quick calculation. Dinner $40, tickets $275, go someplace after $25. I thought, okay, you’re in debt up the whazoo and you’re paying for cable and Netflix, just stay home. (I’d never pay for cable and Netflix even if I wasn’t in that much debt.)
But, this is the behavior and the thinking that goes behind “gosh, how can I live on just $75,000?”
I’m not sure I’d be giving him anymore rides unless he chips in for gas.
That’s a lot of money for one evening out, even for someone who has a job and no debt.