SAPE - Conspicuous Consumption in Congo

[Scrumhalf]

I see what you are saying, although I would posit that if you had to beg borrow or steal to afford your threads while living in a tin shack without proper sanitation, your are living beyond your means or at the very least have your priorities seriously out of whack...

 

[MrG]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

Meh, a few random idiots in a country of millions. Let Darwin sort them out.

+1 It's crazy to me that someone would live like this guy does, but I hardly believe he's somehow representative of the norm.

Originally Posted by thenanyu

Well that's the thing. The people described in the article are not in debt. They actually save up money over long periods of time to buys their stuff. At least a portion of them end up neglecting more important things in life, but I would say they are still living within their means.

I half agree with you. I don't care what this guy gives up personally to afford his clothing. If he decides he wants to live in a tent so he can buy designer labels that's his prerogative. However, if he's not supporting his child he's not living within his means.