Same here, I had a hard time buying a Mazda (even though I needed it and haven’t bought a new car in 10 years) yet I know waitresses and receptionists who drive brand-new BMWs. I cannot fathom where this ability to turn a blind eye on basic financials comes from. I think it would be a great project for a psych major to study this modern phenomenon. Is it a testament to the success of marketing techniques? Or are people just getting worse at math? Do they have a sense of entitlement? Are they expecting a bailout or a rich prince charming to come along to foot the bill?