It's a waste because that rental will always be at a premium over an equivalent mortgage. The mortgage payment I'm making today -- which is considerably less than that shithole apartment I was referring to -- will be the same mortgage payment in the year 2045, by which point I presume that same apartment will cost multiple times what it costs today. I've spent a considerable amount of time looking at both apartments and homes in a 40 mile radius from where I am. There are no apartments that are charging a "fair" price for what is being offered. The money is being vacuumed up by greedy corporate fucks intent on breaking the back of the working class to keep them in perpetual servitude. The funds spent on that rental premium is cash you can't divert to your own financial independence and security. Make no mistake, the money is a waste. It's a necessary waste for the millions who have no other option, but every second you're not calling it what it is provides unnecessary cover for the super rich to continue applying their boot heel to your neck.