And that's not problematic?

I'm from India, and in general, the Indian attitude towards money is "you only spend it if you have it" and even then, essentials came first and then money saved in a shoebox for a rainy day. There is no concept of borrowing money as a "personal loan" to afford a new MacBook or new Chrome wheels. In my very limited, east coast experience, this was not the attitude of the American poor.

Poor people can't get a personal loan in America. Maybe in 2006, but not in 2017.

Maybe from some kind of loanshark, but no bank is going to give someone a loan, especially if they don't have the means to make the payments, to go out and buy a new MacBook.

Borrow the money when you'll enjoy it. I can't get my dad to spend his money. He's older and he's happy with what he has. I want him to spend it, but he says its just a waste now. I honestly wish he could have loaned some of his money to his younger self. He's legitimately happy now spending almost nothing, and has by far more money than he has ever had in his life.

> He's legitimately happy now spending almost nothing

I don't see the downside. Happy, and has a cushion if circumstances change? Awesome.

You've missed the part where he is actually donating this money to either you or grandkids, instead of saddling you with debt.

Of course it's a problem, and one you solve by educating people, not scolding them from behind lace hankies.

Well said.

I'm afraid I had to edit my comment, my point wasn't clear and I was bordering on rambling. I tend to get a little lippy first thing in the morning, but I'm glad someone caught the point regardless.