So this weekend, I was helping out a friend of SO's Aunt fix his 401k. Saved him $300/yr in fees and gave him a better portfolio than he had for the low cost of $25 as well as letting him know his options with regards to getting that money out. He's still "employed" but not getting paid 'cause he can't do carpentry any more from an injury. He can't get unemployment unless his company lets him go, but they are willing to spend money retraining him to do office work by taking some classes. He wants to get SSDI, which he may or may not get. Anyways, I went through his basic options with the 401k (not much, sadly, but far better than your average person). So after we're done, he says he's got to go drive an hour+ to go have barbecue at some flea market or whatever. Him talking about it means he goes there kinda often, at least 2x a month. He's considering taking out money from his 401k, paying penalties and all of that, so he can pay living expenses... he's not looking at the other end of the equation! I will have another meeting with him when he figures out what he's going to be doing (have company let him go for unemployment he's "entitled" to, get SSDI, etc). I may have to kindly suggest that he learn how to play defense sooner rather than later.
AAAAAAAAAH!
So wanted to head-table when he said that. HE also mentioned some dumb conspiracy theory about Illuminati or somesuch bullshit. There may be no helping this guy from himself.