There’s a conundrum that economists and political strategists have been chewing on for more than a year: The economy is good, but Americans say it’s lousy.
You’re making a lot of assumptions. People can go without many things you may think are basic.
Those 30yo people buying PS5s may be living with their parents because they can’t begin to afford their own place. Maybe they have 5 roommates who all pooled their savings for 6 months to buy it together. Maybe they simply don’t have a car.
There’s also the obvious selection bias of being in a Game Stop. You won’t see all the people who can’t afford a game console shopping there.
To me it’s quite staggering that someone who considers themselves “Well Off” can’t afford an occasional $500 expense. That’s generally considered “Living Paycheck to Paycheck”. I can only assume you’re overspending in some ways.
Right and additionally I wonder how this person knew that the lady he mentioned had the “latest” iPhone and that her “Gucci” bag wasn’t a knock off. And perhaps she was able to afford these things because she doesn’t have a car note - does that revoke her right to complain about wasted money?
Don’t put words into my mouth and then get pissy because you don’t like them. Those are your words, not mine. You’re making yourself into a victim.
However I don’t for one second believe you got close enough to this stranger to evaluate whether her bag was real or fake (“I own shares in Gucci so I know a knockoff from an original” - best joke I’ve heard all week!). And you still have no way to know whether that bag was a present, or bought second hand, or anything else.
You could have said something like, “Oh, y’all are right, I let my privilege blind me and I probably shouldn’t have judged that stranger so quickly, because everyone has their own unique situation.” But instead, you’re just defending your initial prejudice, doubling down on it with “I own shares in Gucci!”
It’s a bad look. You should reevaluate your stance.
I’ll give you that you may possibly recognize the new iPhone from the near identical previous model. But I do not believe at all that you (or anyone) can confirm that bag was real unless you took it an examined it closely. And even if you could, why are you even paying attention to other people’s things like that? It implies that you are judging people based on an assuredly flawed narrative you’ve made up about them in your head. If you’re going to make assumptions, why not make it positive assumptions rather than assuming they make bad choices with their money?
So you’re right, people can and do go without many basic things, so where are they coming up with the $$$ for these PS5s?
When they don’t spend money on nice cloths and their own apartment, it frees up a lot of money that can then be used on things that are more important to them. Things like a PS5.
I can’t justify spending $500 for a game system when I have to buy clothes and groceries (especially groceries) and prioritize other expenses. I COULD afford to buy everyone in my neighborhood a PS5 - but seriously there are other things they really need more.
Being able to afford something, is when you don’t need to prioritize necessities over it. You have enough left over after buying your cloths and food.
Removed by mod
You’re making a lot of assumptions. People can go without many things you may think are basic.
Those 30yo people buying PS5s may be living with their parents because they can’t begin to afford their own place. Maybe they have 5 roommates who all pooled their savings for 6 months to buy it together. Maybe they simply don’t have a car.
There’s also the obvious selection bias of being in a Game Stop. You won’t see all the people who can’t afford a game console shopping there.
To me it’s quite staggering that someone who considers themselves “Well Off” can’t afford an occasional $500 expense. That’s generally considered “Living Paycheck to Paycheck”. I can only assume you’re overspending in some ways.
Right and additionally I wonder how this person knew that the lady he mentioned had the “latest” iPhone and that her “Gucci” bag wasn’t a knock off. And perhaps she was able to afford these things because she doesn’t have a car note - does that revoke her right to complain about wasted money?
A knockoff, or maybe even a present.
It’s posts like that one that reek of ulterior motives and unrecognized privilege.
Removed by mod
Don’t put words into my mouth and then get pissy because you don’t like them. Those are your words, not mine. You’re making yourself into a victim.
However I don’t for one second believe you got close enough to this stranger to evaluate whether her bag was real or fake (“I own shares in Gucci so I know a knockoff from an original” - best joke I’ve heard all week!). And you still have no way to know whether that bag was a present, or bought second hand, or anything else.
You could have said something like, “Oh, y’all are right, I let my privilege blind me and I probably shouldn’t have judged that stranger so quickly, because everyone has their own unique situation.” But instead, you’re just defending your initial prejudice, doubling down on it with “I own shares in Gucci!”
It’s a bad look. You should reevaluate your stance.
Removed by mod
Someone calls out you for not seeing past your privilege and you respond with childish name calling then tell them to shove it.
You’ve shown what kind of person you are and how far your discussion capabilities go.
Removed by mod
Removed by mod
I’ll give you that you may possibly recognize the new iPhone from the near identical previous model. But I do not believe at all that you (or anyone) can confirm that bag was real unless you took it an examined it closely. And even if you could, why are you even paying attention to other people’s things like that? It implies that you are judging people based on an assuredly flawed narrative you’ve made up about them in your head. If you’re going to make assumptions, why not make it positive assumptions rather than assuming they make bad choices with their money?
Removed by mod
When they don’t spend money on nice cloths and their own apartment, it frees up a lot of money that can then be used on things that are more important to them. Things like a PS5.
Being able to afford something, is when you don’t need to prioritize necessities over it. You have enough left over after buying your cloths and food.
Looks like that’s where you’re overspending.
Removed by mod
That’s called willful ignorance. You’re actively ignoring, or trying not to see another view point.
Removed by mod
Big “avacado toast” energy lol