(Round 2) My friend is about to spend $4k+ on computer parts. What can I say to help him change his mind?

[miro_gt]

why do you want to change his mind ?

... his money, his decision, heck why not just support him

some people just go for their dreams, and frankly that's the people that live their lives the way they want, and are happy therefore.

[niffcreature]

I think if you really want to change his mind, you definitely have to tell him hes an idiot... but heres the key, don't explain to him how hes not being intelligent, literally call him an idiot. See if for some strange reason your opinion of him matters to him more than the fact that hes wasting his money.

[knight427]

why do you want to change his mind ?

... his money, his decision, heck why not just support him

some people just go for their dreams, and frankly that's the people that live their lives the way they want, and are happy therefore.

But his friend isn't following his dream. His dream is an epic gaming rig. He is building an epic rendering rig. It's like a friend who might want to buy the ultimate drag racer. So he finds the vehicle with the most horse power and comes home in this.

Also, the idea that someone who gets everything they want is going to be happy is demonstrable false. I like buying stuff as much the next guy, but I try not to let myself fall too hard for the idea these things will bring me happiness.

[key001]

What else can I say to him to help change his mind?

Tell him one word: microstuttering.

[invisible]

In this economy I just think it's foolish to blow money like that, especially on meaningless things like a super ultra uber desktop. I'd tell him to put it in the bank where it can draw interest, so it's there in case he ever truly needs it.

[TonyH12]

If he has no savings where is the 6K coming from?

The 6k is coming from the money he earns from his part time job as a waiter. Someone mentioned that this is like 1/3 of his salary and it probably is, but he is relentless.

The overall message is to tell my friend that he's an idiot. I guess I have no other choice.

[miro_gt]

But his friend isn't following his dream. His dream is an epic gaming rig. He is building an epic rendering rig. It's like a friend who might want to buy the ultimate drag racer. So he finds the vehicle with the most horse power and comes home in this.

Also, the idea that someone who gets everything they want is going to be happy is demonstrable false. I like buying stuff as much the next guy, but I try not to let myself fall too hard for the idea these things will bring me happiness.

I never said buying stuff will bring happiness, I said live the life that you want and that will bring happiness. Besides, I bet any drag racer would love that truck

[Kaelang]

The 6k is coming from the money he earns from his part time job as a waiter. Someone mentioned that this is like 1/3 of his salary and it probably is, but he is relentless.

The overall message is to tell my friend that he's an idiot. I guess I have no other choice.

Tell us how it goes. I'd like a video to go along with it.

He will learn the hard way I'm sure. I have learned a thing or two the last few weeks myself. I completely forgot that I want to keep saving and just blew, effectively, 2 weeks worth of pay on camera equipment (T3i and a 24-105mm f4L lens), a tube of jaffa cakes imported from England, and on top of all that, I had my car payment and insurance due. Needless to say, my checking account was gasping for air and I've learned a lesson. All it took for me was an empty checking account though. It seems like your friend is beyond that.

Try and get him to set a goal... does he like cars? Try to get him to save up for a car or something.

Also, all of my stuff brings me sufficient happiness.

[TonyH12]

Maybe you guys can tell from this obsession and craze that my friend is... unique. He said that he's gone through depression and its things like this (looking forward to buy big things) that keeps him going.

I'll post an update when I finish my talk with him. I don't think I'll be able to record it... prob. wouldn't be very entertaining to watch anyways.

[Vogelbung]

Needs moar woman. Then he can be broke for entirely different reasons and it'll all be OK