I've kept very strict rules since the start of my work life. I save half of my income and try not to spend more than 20% of income on rent (which required livin

I've kept very strict rules since the start of my work life. I save half of my income and try not to spend more than 20% of income on rent (which required living with my partner in a tiny 150 square feet apartment when most of my friends had much better apartments). But that has helped a lot preventing lifestyle creep. I undoubtedly spend more now than I used to since I went from roughly 20k a year to 350k a year but I still keep saving half of my income. It does mean that I live a less luxurious lifestyle than my peers.