From the outside looking in, you might not understand the reasons people do this, and so you make them up. I'll make up some other reasons. Kids who have cool stuff and places for their friends to hang out are popular. Moms who don't have to toil with the basics of keeping the house clean can entertain more, boosting their husbands' careers and their kids' popularity. They also can take their kids to all the extracurricular events, ensuring they have even more opportunities to cement critical friendships. Kids who go to expensive schools have friends who will grow up to be in powerful positions, boosting _their_ chances at high incomes. This is amplified if they are popular and well-liked. These people are buying connections, and it's very possible those connections will insulate them from the consequences of overspending (like helping them find better-paying jobs more quickly).