The worst excuse I have seen for broke people not conserving their budget by not cooking for themselves is "It's too expensive!"
Bullshit. You need to learn how to shop and plan for cheaper ingredients. And you clearly do not know how to do math if you cannot see that ordering takeout is more expensive than making it yourself.
Yes, it takes practice. But if you are broke, you cannot afford not learn this skill.
@Stahesh The "ego lift" is a dangerous thing.
Dumbells are best, for exactly the reason you mentioned.
@Stahesh Perhaps he was just "in his own head" too much and did not know how to solve problems or was too intimidated to seek out help?
Perhaps, he was just a narcissist, like you observed.