No reason for car payment. Buy it cash. Phone you can buy cheap or get it through work. Insurances, unfortunately, is a fact of life. I pay a good few 100 for mine a month.
The biggest 'expense' is people trying to live above their income levels. One missed salary payment and the house of cards comes tumbling down. It's stupid and you're an idiot.
Since you live in the UK, I think you understand something about Americans.
Say you have a kid who is 18-19 and living at home. Going to the local college or community college. They have student loans, and need to commute, and money is tight. One cannot afford to buy a decent car in cash, and pay for insurance, taxes, tags. Which means financing.
As I said, most car payments are around the $300 mark. And that is for a car costing a little over 16-20+k.
Who the hell is going to pay over 20k in cash for a car? Even a slightly used car with a warranty.
How are you going to buy a cheap phone, there is literally no such thing except for like Trac Phones. Or pay as you go phones...and how are you going to pay let your job pay for it? Remember we are talking minimum wage jobs now.
I do agree that some people live beyond their means...but think about it, $100 a month for a phone, when one is getting paid $7-8 dollars an hour. You have to pay for car payment, gas in car, insurance, food, rent, bills.
And that is if you are living at home and single. That is not including if you have a child or other obligations.
As I said, painters can make $10-15 an hour. People who are making your food make less than a painter.