They're not making $0. They're trading $8/hr now against the cost of depreciation that they'll be able to "pay" later. Is that short-sighted? Yes. Do people feel like that's necessary when they have looming bills that need to be paid right now? Also yes. It'd be nice if people in that situation could afford to be more future-minded, but that's easy to say when the income from your primary job easily covers your expenses. Not so for many people.