> I know fairly smart people who understand calculus but just cannot accept that there is a problem with paying interest on all of their purchases. I do not th

> I know fairly smart people who understand calculus but just cannot accept that there is a problem with paying interest on all of their purchases. I do not think this is a problem with education. It sounds like they understand, they just do not care. I think that is a different (harder) problem. You're unhappy that people do not believe it is beneficial to be debt-free. As you note - there are many groups who benefit (profit) from this kind of spend-spend-spend consumption culture. Frankly, I am astounded that COVID did not bring about a massive economic collapse that would have driven the point about financial security home in a dreadful way. I'm grateful it didn't, though.