Here is what happens to my friends and me and I am sure this is a reflection on different financial values and life attitude in general. Well, I don't drink any alchohol while a few friends of mine love drinking very much. They would gather to have dinner/drink almost every day(at least four times a week). I am often invited but due to my no-drinking habit, I usually turn the invitation down. We are all family men but they are a few years older than me. Their children are much older than my kid so probably they don't need their fathers' attention and time. I always put my family first so this is also one of the reasons I don't join them that frequently. Financially, every gathering meal/drinking is not cheap because it involves a lot of drinks and dishes. The average cost of such dinner/drinking is equivalent to 1/5 the average monthly income in the city where we live. So every month, the cost for these "gatherings" consumes all the income that a man can earn for months. This is considered a huge waste of money in many people's eyes cause most people don't earn much. Although I don't drink, occasionally I will treat them and pay the bills for the guesture of friendliness. Do you think my friends' lifestyle is a waste of money and time ? How much do you spend on such gatherings on average ? Please let me know.
Here's the thing. You can take it practically and suppose that these people are wasting their money away, which is true cause there's no reason why you should spend that much on stuff that wouldn't last you like food and drinks, and they do this on a regular basis too which is weird but whatever. In any case You can also see this as these people trying to enjoy their lives to the fullest. They prolly know that it's impractical, they most likely know that it's stupid too, but they are people who are having fun with each other's company and that alone, at least for me is already worth the money that they are spending. Perhaps it's not your cup of coffee my guy, but we can't shit on other people's way of living just because it's not up to our standards, just as they can't shit on yours cause that is how you want to live your life.
Exactly, there's no need to differentiate people or label them as "impractical" if that's the way of their living. It's like thinking of you're much better or you have more savings than them because you are not spending a lot on random things or pricey foods and coffees. Have you wondered why people could still afford to buy those things whenever they want? This means they afford to buy so why won't they spend their money on things that make them happy. Doesn't that the point of being rich or having enough money to some people? To afford things and enjoy life using their money? Because some lifestyle must be a waste but if you keep comparing yourself to others then why you're not rich and have you enjoyed your life for once?. Just live the way you want if you think that is good for you then go with it. Comparison is the worst in our mind to be honest.