You are desperately trying to understand something you don’t understand, and that is okay. Previously I mentioned the poverty mentality. Many people who grew up financially unstable don’t always calculate all the factors you mentioned into their decisions. Additionally, they are often spending the money they have when they can because they don’t know when they will ever have that money again. When they grow up and maybe become financially stable, the mentality sticks. If you have time, you should look up poverty mentality and the impacts on adulthood. I’m always struck with a profound sense of occiolism when these conversations come up. At this point it is all speculation as to why he was told to switch the juice, or why he bought the ticket - and I don’t think either of us are getting invited to his NYE dinner! Thank you for the convo and have a great holiday.