This is all true if you have enough for the basics and are looking above the minimum survival costs.

Just to make the money you are making now, you need some stuff, be it a phone or a car, home AC, oven or even a washing machine at home (you can't go to work hungry in dirty clothes).

If you don't have the money to pay with cash, you'll be buying that oven/stove with whatever delayed/monthly payment option is available.

Yes, if you're buying franchises you can do the "make more money" calculations, but if your kids are going to be hungry soon, you often have no choice.