This thread is always so entertaining. I finally have some stories to add.
I've been occasionally biking to work, and I got into a conversation with a guy who lives less than a mile away, possibly half a mile. He doesn't own a bike. Claims he wouldn't have anywhere to keep it. He doesn't even consider walking to work, because he might get sweaty. Also, for the occasional night he works late, he feels safer driving his car. It's just more convenient.
Yesterday I had a long car conversation with some chaps at work. One of them, a large Russian guy, previously had a Honda Ridgeline and just upgraded to a Dodge Ram. He commutes 35 miles each way. Part of his rationale was, he's frustrated that he pays so much in property taxes that he doesn't benefit from because he has no school-aged children, so he might as well get *some* personal use out of his remaining money. (In other words, he deserves to drive the vehicle he wants). Also, he always leases. Asked me 'why would you want to buy, it makes no sense?' He said he couldn't imagine keeping the same car for more than a few years. I asked him if he felt the same way about women.
Today a friend at work wanted to talk about retirement planning over lunch. He offered to buy my lunch. I said, 'that's ok, I brought mine'. So I just brought my salad/yogurt down to the cafeteria and met him. He spent $7.77 on lunch (which isn't really that bad). Afterwards he stopped off for a $2.50-ish Honest Tea. I told him he could make tea for free - we have free tea bags in the pantry, and free hot water. He can make hot tea and let it cool. We also have free cups and ice which he can use to make the tea cold. He wasn't buying it. this last guy is actually in good shape financially, but it's interesting to realize the little needless things you waste money on.