Why do so many people spend everything on vices, often with the goal of acquiring companionship?

Impulsive spending on vices can be a manifestation of the search for immediate gratification, often disconnected from a long-term investment in relationships or well-being.

The debate over why some people seem to squander their resources on harmful habits, and occasionally link it to the idea of 'buying' affection or company, leads us to reflect on behavioral economics and the search for value. The instant gratification offered by vices, such as gambling or excessive consumption, can overshadow financial planning and investment in more lasting aspects of life.

## The Economics of Instant Gratification

The urge to spend on immediate pleasures, without considering future consequences, is a well-documented phenomenon. Neurosciences have demonstrated how certain activities activate reward centers in the brain, generating a pleasant feeling that can become addictive. From an economic perspective, this translates into a disincentive for saving and long-term investment. A **2022** study by the **Banco de España** indicated that the percentage of households with high consumer debt remained around **15%**, reflecting the difficulty in managing non-essential expenses.

## 'Buying' Affection? An Economic Perspective

The idea of 'buying' relationships, especially in contexts of vice, is often a mistaken simplification of complex social and economic dynamics. Transactions involving money exchanged for companionship or intimacy rarely translate into genuine or sustainable emotional bonds. In many cases, these interactions are based on mutual expectations of short-term gain rather than an emotional investment. The perception that affection can be 'acquired' may be a symptom of disconnection from the more traditional and reciprocal ways of building relationships, where time, effort, and compatibility are the true pillars.