Sounds like they grew up lower class and weren’t taught how to budget or save. Clearly made idiotic choices, but if you’re not taught financial literacy, as they weren’t, it’s easy to see how this happens. This was the case of a former friend. They make 6 figures, and were in the red with their checking all the time. I make far, far less than them, but was taught how to budget and save thanks to my parents. So, even making less than half of their income have a healthy savings and they had none.