Because people keep paying for blatant scams, terrible deals, and shit we don’t need in general. It’s why everything keeps getting so expensive, INCLUDING our necesities, and they won’t get cheaper until people stop buying. It’s why companies are allowed to get away with ripping us off or doing blatantly evil shit, and they’re not gonna stop until people stop buying.

I’d argue the reason why prices keep going up is due to the parasite class at the top squeezing people more with each passing day.

What do you view as people being smart with their money, like investments and bonds and stuff? I can’t afford groceries, I certainly can’t afford a 401k. Likewise, it’s rational to save for retirement, but with WW3 escalating, the climate crisis, and a general feeling that you might not live to see next week - people are going to ask what’s the point?

Although I will agree that the blame for rampant consumerism outside of necessities must lie at least partly with the consumers. It takes two to tango after all

More to your question: I’ve never actually heard someone use that phrase, but I have encountered the sentiment that someone can spend their own money however they see fit. That’s entirely true, and you’re not going to change their mind if you take an aggressive stance. If you call people stupid for spending their money on their own happiness then you’re not going to ingratiate yourselves to them and they’re just as likely to spend more to spite you, further entrenching their own opinion.

Gentleness, empathy, and education go a lot further in influencing people’s behaviour. Their opinion of how they spend their money feels correct to them, just as your opinion of how they spend their money feels wrong to you. In any conflict you have to allow that your opinion isn’t correct just because it’s your opinion - either side usually does not have all the facts or perspectives