Background: my friend is the epitome of anti-mustachianism, self employed, ~$80k in annual income, about half of which is business expense, but he lives closer to an $80k w-2 lifestyle than a $40k one, drives an exterra on credit, travels regularly, etc, etc. Has close to $0 in retirement savings, routinely makes purchases on credit and fully intends to die broke, b/c he is unwilling to make any sacrifices in his current consumption levels in order to buy his freedom. We're out to lunch with some mutual friends last week, and he mentioned that he is considering buying this $400 inflatable Wal-mart hot tub.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/34480054?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227024716071&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=40330060352&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78288282032&veh=semMy (other) engineer friend and I mention that he might want to consider the operating costs needed in terms of electricity & pool chemicals needed to operate the thing, and that based on our back of the envelope calculations, he might be better off in the long run buying a real insulated hot tub based on how much he might spend in electricity to keep 210 gallons of water warm in an uninsulated container. My friend's wheels start spinning, and he reluctantly agrees to think it over.
Five days later, he texts me a picture of a shiny new $5000 fiberglass hot tub in a showroom with the message: "Should I buy? $5000" I don't respond. An hour later he calls me, and the following conversation ensues:
Him: "Did you get my text?"
Me: "yes"
Him: "What do you think?"
Me: "Do you have an extra $5000 laying around?"
Him: "Of course not!"
Me: "Well, that kind of answers your question then, doesn't it?"
Him (in irritated tone of voice): "Uhhh, there's a thing called credit. It's no interest for 12 months. That's only like $400/month."
Me: "Do you plan on having an extra $400/ month over the next 12 months?"
Him (very irritated now): "Yes, Eric, I think I can afford an extra $400/month."
Me: "Ok, is this the best possible use of your extra $400/month?"
Him (totally irritated) "Ok, well I obviously don't want to talk to you about this. I'll talk to you later." (Hangs up)
He knows me well enough to know I would never condone this behavior, but is obviously unhappy with my line of questioning when asking my advice. I just felt the desire to relay this here to a sympathetic audience.