ummmm......at one time, one would save up for what one wanted....savings stamps, Christmas clubs and then after saving that amount, the purchase was made.
In the last decade, it become completely opposite, one bought the article on credit and paid for it later.......times were good, banks and credit companies would be happy to lend you money, often money you knew that you would have a problem in repaying. Then the crunch came, negative equity, unemployment and with the help of the bankers and imprudent public.