[DoubleF]

I live life via a few basic rule of thumbs. Not perfect and not everyone may agree, but I feel it has served me well enough so far.

Spoiler!

1. Cost per use (money AND time). Spoil as little as possible/spend as little on regular use goods. Be efficient with your time and money.
1a Sometimes spending more to save time worth it.

2. Don't take debt unless absolutely necessary. House is probably the only necessary debt and "maybe" car. If I can't comfortably put cash down on it, I can't afford it right now.
2a. If I can't afford to wreck it or lose it next week. I can't afford. it.
2b Be honest about wants and needs. Debt for needs as appropriate. Debts for wants, not so much.

3. If I spend my money imitating others (trips, tech etc.), I won't experience my own life. I'd experience other's life at a diluted level.
3a. It's not to say touristy places are no good or new tech is not worth buying. It's just if you run to places for the sake of being there /buying things because other have it, IMO, you are not truly enjoying the experience. If you don't enjoy the experience, you've not getting the best value for money spent.

4. You will always have time and resources for things that are important. Others may have different things they hold important, which is why they always seem to have time and resources for those things. Don't waste money on something you actually don't really care about.

Not saying I'm better or anything with these rules. I just use them and often find them better suited for me than most money blogs.