Sometimes it is more difficult than it seems to try to change a behavior that has been going on for years. We also often choose to go for debts that may allow us to have something tangible but in reality are often twice as expensive and we do not pay attention to it because it is something that is paid in installments.
Even if there were solutions, it would still be difficult for people to give up something they have been holding on to for years. However, as you say. There are people who do want it.
I guess the trick is to evaluate what we are buying and whether it is really worth paying twice the amount for it - or even the amount alone, compared to the cost of investing it into a generative source of income.