I dont know if it is just me or others also experience it. I always set goals financially, set limits in spending and trying hard to save but most of the time no matter how i tell myself to refrain from spending in unnecessary things whenever i see something i really like even if i dont need it i cant resist buying it that cause me to regret later. Are you familiar with this situation?
It helps not to have an ATM card, debit or credit card. If cash/credit is easily obtainable it will probably cause someone to spend more.
Internet shopping is easy, convenient and often supports free shipping which can make saving difficult.
How a person spends their time is probably the biggest factor. If friends always go out and spend money that makes things tough. This might sound unnatural but finding things to do that doesn't involve spending cash could be one of the easiest ways to save. When I was around 18 I managed to save about $10,000. I didn't have any real financial goals and made no real effort to save. I hung out at a skatepark almost everyday for maybe a few years & didn't spend much on things which normally deplete someone's savings.
I guess for those with saving goals what might work best is finding things they enjoy to occupy their time where they don't spend much?