Again, let's not confuse wealth with spending.
DW has a friend (not best friend but more of someone who attends regular ‘girls night out’). This friend made really good money but for every $1 earned, spent $2; literally.
Exactly - this is the point I was trying to make. This woman may believe that purchasing the $9,000 handbag indicates her personal wealth, but a financial planner would probably suggest that her purchase instead further drives her into poverty.