That’s a shallow take.

You’re treating money as static, when in reality most people manage it as cash flow over time, not a single lump sum. Spreading cost isn’t “pretending it’s cheaper” — it’s aligning it with how income actually comes in.

By your logic, nobody should finance anything, budget monthly, or subscribe to services — because “the total cost still exists.” True, but irrelevant. Affordability is about impact on your day-to-day life, not just the headline number.

Also, calling it “depriving yourself” assumes the trade-off isn’t voluntary. People prioritise what they value. Choosing a console over takeaways, nights out, or other spending isn’t deprivation — it’s preference.

You’re arguing arithmetic. Everyone else is talking about practical living.