I have a harder time understanding why, if people owe money on a car, why that don't just suck it up a drive it until they're in the clear?
Some people feel the need to change quicker, I always feel that just because I love cars. Others just fall into hardship, either through their own fault or not.
I understand there are some true idiots out there when it comes to financial decisions, but members of this board talk as if they have never experienced hardship (and some may not have), or made a bad choice, it's bizarre. Personally I have made good and bad financial decisions, and like everyone above, I only hold myself accountable, no one else.
But I have also taken some risks at times when even the slightest misstep would have seen me in a much bigger financial hole, but luckily for me in time those risks went away, which was how I planned it. But it doesn't always go to plan.
You've got to remember (and this isn't directed at you Vman), many people are fortunate enough to have family support to buy their first house, or car, or look after kids, or whatever. They have a leg up from family/parents when starting out, which massively helps out in the long run. Others have none of that support at all, which makes smaller house deposits and longer car payments a reality rather than a poor choice.
Again, this doesn't negate stupidity.