Well I meant to say “Concur with @busdriver11” autocorrect wasn’t kind.
@romanigypsyeyes living below one’s means is a skill missing by many. I won’t say I grew up poor but definitely lower middle class and far below my mean’s today. DW grew up the same. That has helped us avoid the race to keep up with the Jones.
Agree that the article is poorly done. I also find it strange/bad when young adults with a start in the working world spend according to their present salary without considering current debt load. Living in the present without regard to the past (those loans are what got the person the high paying job) or future what ifs.
We live on the other side- both of us grew up without money, raised son to be aware of wants/being able to afford things as different from needs and should buys. Now he underspends- too frugal in some ways. That Honda Civic sits in his parking garage most of the time since he walks to work and his studio near the freeway…
Home ownership of a typical, not lavish, house with a mortgage can be a lot better than renting financially.
Sometimes I think the mindset of the expensive car buyers is that they deserve the treat since they worked so hard to get to the point of having the job. They forget they have not yet arrived.
Learning to take control of your finances and be (or become) debt free is very empowering. It feeds on itself.
I’m surprised at the number of people who take on unnecessary debt in order to “keep up with the Jones’s”, buy expensive new cars they can’t afford, etc.Some just can’t seemingly stand to have two nickels to rub together.
But you have to learn fiscal responsibility somewhere. Most people learn their financial habits from parents. It’s made some of us scrimpers and savers, others spendthrifts.
I’ve mentioned Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” on this forum previously. We’ve given that book to many people including our kids, young employees. and even a friend who was in deep debt. The deep debt friend has paid off over 18K in debt in the last 18 months. D’s roommate who never had any money left over at the end of the month managed to save 5K+ over the last year for her own college fund. All a matter of saving and budgeting–neither one had ever budgeted to know how much they were frittering away a finite resource. Of course it isn’t magic but sometimes it seemed like it. And talk about a confidence booster!
They truly are empowered knowing they can have attainable goals rather than just worrying about bills.
Mint will tell you what your net worth is. I can’t recommend it enough as a money management tool for beginners. Or even talented intermediates 
Who is behind Mint?
Diane Rehm had a show yesterday on student debt. Here’s the link if anyone is interested http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-08-16/student-debt-and-rethinking-the-value-of-a-college-degree
I listened and thought it was worth my while. But I like her show.