You make a good point, I would just substitute "choose not to" for "probably can't." The person chose that nicer house and an expensive lifestyle. As a counterp

You make a good point, I would just substitute "choose not to" for "probably can't." The person chose that nicer house and an expensive lifestyle. As a counterpoint, I went to Virginia Beach for a week on a whim at a time when I had no real income to speak of.