I've tried to get a handle on my own, so have done a bit of reading on the subject. Spend Less than You Earn. Learn to be thrifty by spending less than you earn.
Thrift is one of the chief objectives of education.
Real thrift means making the most of time, money, food and self. By learning to conserve your time, your health, your talents and your money you can pick your own job, own your own home and be prepared for probable misfortune and old age. Intelligent spending is just as important as intelligent saving. Much of our money is spent on clothing. Buy Food Intelligently.