CMV: If you have a problem in your life that costs money to fix, but you tell people you can’t afford to fix it, it is a lie. You choose to afford it

Everywhere I go I hear people say “I’m not in a great financial situation right now, I wish I had more money to fix this problem”<br><br>I’ve been in this place before and I have learned that this is a lie. If you are able to afford anything more than basic necessities, you have a choice. <br><br>What makes me feel bad is when people want to help but you tell them you can’t afford it.<br><br>Here’s a personal example:<br>My car broke down and I needed my oil changed this weekend. I went to this place and they were a lot more expensive than most. I told the person at the desk that I went somewhere else cheaper, but they tell me about how they aren’t cheap because they are really good at what they do and use high quality parts.<br>So then I say, “I don’t have the money right now to afford things like that. I’m in a rough place financially” and they respond, “well we can try to give you a discount. Here this one part is cheaper than this more expensive one. So let’s just replace the cheaper part and we’ll throw in this other cheaper part for free. And that’s a discount on price, this one time. I really can’t do any cheaper than that”<br><br>And I’m like, “wow, this is so generous. Thank you this place really does take care of you because they put quality at the top of their priorities”<br><br>But in reality I’m a college student and I literally have money I just choose not to spend it on this one thing because I’m cheap. And when I said that I was cheap and couldn’t afford it this person offered me a cheaper way out because they were taking my statement at face value. I literally said this about my financial situation and they literally did have a cheaper option that they were hiding from me until then<br><br>When you tell people you can’t afford something you are lying. What you can’t afford is not having money for other things you need/want, and when people give you the cheaper option, you get what you wanted and you also don’t have to spend as much money. That’s a win-win situation. So here I am, my car oil changed by a wonderful place, with a little more money in my pocket than they expected to be here, because I lied and said I didn’t have enough money<br><br>Edit: I didn’t expect this post to get so many upvotes. I’ve learned a lot about my cognitive biases by reading the comments and I would like to thank you all for your thoughtful and respectful responses. I have learned that I was trying to change the wrong perspectives. I should be changing my own. And I appreciate the time you took to help me with that#####