It is really an inevitable waste of money indeed, but their nothing me or anybody that didn't have an inherited or personal house can do about this situation unless you are planning to make yours a reality, rent has become one of the major thing that takes more more from people today
You think it's a waste if you're not benefiting from it. There are working people that go from place to place and there's no other option but to rent.
That's the only way for them to save time from going to work so they rent places that are close to their offices and it's no waste of money because they save time. So either choose, spend more time traveling going to work but the expenses are the same when you commute.
Or do rent and use that budget for commuting for it. Circumstances do permit us and that's why it's essential for us to look at the sides where we'll mostly going to be beneficial upon renting. Not everyone is in good condition to have a house that's inherited from their parents. We're not all born with a silver spoon.