What defines need and like Wilhelm Scream said the whole point is that when something does come up the money is there? You can’t know in advance that your boiler will break or when there will be a flash flood. You only know that either one could happen earlier than you expect hence the importance of an emergency fund.

I really think people with this attitude should AT LEAST have an emergency fund. Then there’s something to fall back on.

The last excuse ‘I work hard for my money’ is so commonly heard. It’s almost like denial. I think people use it to protect their egos and prevent themselves from coming to the realisation that living paycheck to paycheck is only hurting themselves. If you live like this then you are a slave to money: not the master.