Well that's the truth just so we can live a comfortable life at all times,it's better to live below your means and the only way you can do that is to reduce your spending.You spend less on clothes,accessories,getting top model of cars and many other things,that way you're left with so much money to save and invest for other financial purposes.
It doesn't necessarily mean you will deny yourself of your happiness and comfort,In essence, it’s spending less than you earn simple as that.its more about having a smart spending and exercising saving decisions.
the key take away is that people should learn to at least not buying when they just don't deserve or cant afford something its like when there are new things appearing some people might aim for the flagship despite the fact that their income monthly isn't even quarter of that they should refrain from buying the flagship product and go down few class maybe, as long as its functional and as good as the flagship though below a little bit its still okay.
we should refrain from furfilling our prestige just for the sake of standing out in our social bubble, know our limit know what we can afford, if we truly want to experience luxuries try to work hard, pump that income number up because thats the only way.
otherwise it will be just like wasting money.
Yes, I agree when you say it's better to buy based on function. For example, clothes for everyday, many clothes are very expensive, even though the function is the same, people who do that are people who prioritize function or prestige, unless indeed their income is very high. But for people who have an average income but choose goods or clothes at high prices, it is clear that they buy them because of prestige, it could be because of the environment that is like that or other things.
We must adjust between income and expenses and even then, in my opinion, we must have something left over for savings or investment.