Why can't people live within their means?

[Anonymous]

Instead of down grading so they aren't broke all the time, they decide to stay in the house they can't afford, and keep the cars they can't afford and so on?  Why keep up with the debt?  Not being bitchy, but honestly curious. 

[Fields456]

I have never understood it either

[TSNDDY]

Don't have an awnser for you. We can afford our house and our vehicles are paid for.

[brittany208]

I never understood people who spend way more than they can afford either. It's simple math, folks. But some people prefer to live in denial. (Not talking about when someone loses their job or there are unexpected medical bills... just people who live like they cant afford).

We have a small house, I drive a 20 year old car, and we coupon. I am happy.

[Lydlou02]

Who does that? We own both our vehicles, and the mortgage is our only debt. As our means have expanded so have our savings.

[Fabulous24]

I don't know.  We can afford our lifestyle. 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like my BIL and SIL.

[Anonymous]

Because its all about Keeping up with the Kardashians, didn't ya know?

[casah4]

 To keep up appearances so people don't look down on them for having less?

[jb022210]

how can we downsize anymore, we live in a house that has the cheapest rent (350 a month) a do not have tv, we have internet because i work from home, and before that i attending online college, we buy dollar tree everything, i mean seriously, we dont have cell phones or anything. yet we still struggle with my fiance working close to 60 hours a week. our annual income is barely over $10000. there is no more downsizing we barely have the nessecary furinture needed 

[MorganTho]

Consumerism.