I think part of it is that they’re not good shoppers. They pay too much for everything when it’s not that hard to establish a shopping route(s) that makes it possible to not pay full price for almost anythink.
I don’t believe that is the issue. I believe that many (not all) view things that should be considered luxury items as staples that they are entitled to.
Houses, computers and internet access, cell phones, cable television, large flat panel televisions, cars, fancy clothes, jewelry, lobsters, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. are considered by many their due, regardless of income.
Obama is throwing college education in there as well, if he can.
My wife and I have tried to live our lives in a way that we could get by if one of us was incapacitated. If things go south for us, we will begin to get rid of things, paring away items until we are eating beans from cans, if we can get that. We are prepared to do that if we are put in a situation where we have to.
I think there are many people who would never think of paring back on even one of the things I listed above, and it is a choice. You may not have a choice about having a job and income, but you do have a choice what you do with money that does find its way into your hands.
Let's have a hearty shout-out to Free Republic's very own “Jack (Deep Thoughts) Handey.”