Who's pretending? Not here! We know we broke
this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2025
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Sometimes people attack weaknesses. This is a defense mechanism. Also it's better for mental health to focus on what you do have, rather than what you don't. That doesn't mean you're not trying to meet genuine needs. It just means learning what are genuine needs and addressing that, while also noting "I have food and shelter, that's a great thing!" Especially when so many don't.
I owe nothing!
Stupidity and the art of flexing.
Kinda answered your own question there
Must keep up with the Jones.
Who said I pretend? I'm effectively broke, between side jobs anyways. But hey, at least I earned a little extra cash doing some bicycle maintenance and other random help for a neighbor today.
Ok, not an exact answer, but... In 2008, John Oliver had a bit that I thought captured the US culture of consumerism. He basically said that many countries could invent or even build an inflatable BBQ - but only Americans would actually buy an inflatable BBQ. Anywho, spending money, independent of whether a person has it, seems to be a cultural phenomenon in the US.
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I hate that the concepts of broke and debt even exist. It's all made up.
I've dealt with people that made it to adulthood not really understanding that if they have cash in their pocket, but more debt than that, they don't really have money available to spend on frivolous things. Some of them are my friends.
They will be "broke" 5 days of the week, but spend freely from when then cash their paycheck (or get that next payday loan!) until all they have is change.
But, I've been lucky. I got a degree without taking on debt AND the worst CC hole I had to dig myself out of was not even to the limit of one card. I think most people have to ignore student or medical or other debt just to function...
Credit
Red herring arguement.
Once you hit the credit limit, you are done and now you 25% rate on the 20-50k you charged.
MSMs propaganda, decades of it, so you wont realize that you are "actually poor" because of the top .05% owners. im simplifying, buts its through various mechanisms, like advertisements, news, politicians.