Is there a definitive reason why people feel the need to fake being rich?

I see it every single day. Women walking around with Louis Vuitton purses and at the end of the day they climb into some old maggot wagon. People on food stamps talking to their friends through the brand new iPhone. Hell I went to a friend's party in a very nice neighborhood full of $800, 000+ estates and when I walked in to see the house there were maybe 2 or 3 rooms out of about 12 that were furnished. It's such a joke to me and I just laugh every time I see these kinds of people out in public. I laugh at how much debt they must be in and how miserable and empty their lives probably are.

Status. Trying to impress others when they really are just putting on a facade. People feel better about themselves in the most shallow way possible. In the end, they get nowhere but in debt, as you said yourself.

It really depends in the person himself/herself. Psychology explains that people behave the way do in 6 different reasons.:
1. The id overcomes us. (rather than the ego that balances)
2. They get rewards in doing so.
3. Their belief that these things they do would help them.
4. They inherited that from parents.
5. Their instincts tell them so.
6. The culture or the influence of the people around them affects them.

Ikr its kinda messed up. My mexican gardener has an iphone 5. I saw a youtube guru asking his subscribers to fund him so he can buy a laptop. He films everything on his ipad. Doesn't even own a car.I'm like wtf