I see where you are coming from in that young adults should be able to spend money however they choose and if the lifestyle they choose includes coffee every day and cocktails every weekend then that's fine. Financial independence is for sure the number one priority.
However what we were noticing was that many people (young adults in particular) had small hopes and dreams that required some amount of money that they simply didn't have. People wanted cars so they could easily get to a new job, a new musical instrument for their favorite hobby, or to take a trip somewhere they've never had the chance to go before.
It's all about how you want to spend your own money and everyone's priorities are different.
However what we were noticing was that many people (young adults in particular) had small hopes and dreams that required some amount of money that they simply didn't have. People wanted cars so they could easily get to a new job, a new musical instrument for their favorite hobby, or to take a trip somewhere they've never had the chance to go before.
It's all about how you want to spend your own money and everyone's priorities are different.