I love seeing this,
How many times do you see friends on facebook on vacation and partying or whatever, and you think "damn i wish I was doing what they are doing?", (usually girls tend to say that). And here I am saving money, now those people are always tight as f*ck for money because as soon as they clear off 1000$ on their CC, they use that to go on another trip, etc etc. The life style of spending to the limit can be seen all over the place.
In my case, i have a 15 000$ line of credit, which i owe 3400$ on and it's stressing me out, it was used to purchase new windows, and renovations for my house, but I could use the line of credit to buy another motorcycle, go around the world, buy a sick entertainment system for the house. etc etc
I think being financially smart is knowing (or being able too) not to spend money when you can. I can easily go to the dealer and buy an Audi or Lexus if i wanted too right now, EASILY. but instead i chose to drive a 2001 Camry because to me, there is nothing more peaceful then not having car payments and after having sports car, at the end of the day, it's all about getting from A to B, no one cares what you drive.
But sometimes the cost of living goes up, i have a condo(1 bedroom) that i rent but pay the utilities, + my house. i received both Hydro & gas bill for both places this week, in total - $660 for hydro and gas. That's the highest i've ever had to pay before, it sucks balls, and it shows how much the basic needs are always going up. - Which again, is another reason why you shouldn't spend to your limit.
Going out is fun and all, but it's a lot more fun inviting people over and drinking at home and playing Cards against Humanity or Cranium. not to mention you'll save about 750% on the cost of alcohol this way.
anyways, i could write a book about all this, but at the end of the day, i can't help the people that can't help themselves, and it's a mentality thing. To me, debt and monthly payment is stressful, and I do everything in my powers to avoid that, i sleep much better at night with my 01 camry and no payments then i would with a luxurious car @ 450$/mth payment.
Society of buying things they don't need with money they don't have to impress people they don't know