I don't have any social media accounts and never have. Sometimes I feel a little left behind because of it and maybe one day I'll break down and fall in with the masses but so far I feel like the pros outweigh the cons. I don't have any of that added drama in my life or feel like I need to keep up with everyone or any expectations. Don't get me wrong, it can be used for great things but I believe like most stuff people have taken it too far. I also think it's given a generation some sort of narcissistic anxiety and delusional expectations. But let me step off my soapbox....
People often just show all the good stuff and maybe they need to brag cause the admiration of others makes them feel validated but what they aren't talking about is the crummy stuff. We all got crummy stuff, some more than others. No matter how much you polish your life to present to others there is always some crummy stuff somewhere. You don't really know how those people have acquired these ponies and if they have bags of extra moolah laying around, well good for them. It's not my place to tell anyone how to spend their money, I have dropped big bucks on ponies myself but I do try to be smart about it and I don't sacrifice any of the necessities to do so. The most I've ever spent on a pony? Well, 750.00 but in my defense it was "extra" money, see this thread -->
http://mlptp.net/index.php?threads/free-rapunzel.112720/
Any other large purchases were often gifts or bought with bonuses, etc. I know it's still money spent but it was often in some way "extra" money. Yeah, it could go into the savings or the 401K but I'm satisfied with our rate of saving and what's the point of working a hard job if you can't treat yourself with the spoils of your labor occasionally
That said, I do have a limit and it's based on the pony. I have turned down ponies I wanted because I felt they were too expensive. Even if I really wanted it, I can't bring myself to spend too much more than a fair price. I don't mind waiting for a deal to come along and honestly those are what people should really be bragging about. I am not impressed by someone who acquires a rare pony by spending a ridiculous amount of money on it, anyone could do that. The people who find a rare pony at a yardsale for 2.00, now that is something to brag about! Those are the fun stories!