I find it unlikely that the average HN member does not understand that earning money is a better financial decision than spending it on highly-depreciable luxur

I find it unlikely that the average HN member does not understand that earning money is a better financial decision than spending it on highly-depreciable luxury items (because such insights are entirely obvious), which is why comments like "compound growth is your friend" rub me especially the wrong way. If one can reasonably afford a luxury item, it is perfectly fine to spend that money on that luxury item.