This should actually be really simple. To summarize really quickly what I will say in this post:
Don't spend what you don't already have.
That's it.
This still becomes a huge problem for so many of us for some reason. We count our chickens before they hatch. We assume that we will only be getting paid more in the future and don't allow for any times where the money isn't as plentiful.
So how do we have (or save enough in the first place), so we can spend?
If at all possible, start smart. If you are in high school still, awesome, go get a job. Save most of what you make, seriously. If you have a child in high school, tell them to go get a job. College and University is expensive and the trick is to get out of it with little or no debt.
While you are in college or university, work part time. I know, this sucks, you'll have to work extra hard to keep up with your studies, you won't make it to all the cool parties. I'm not telling you how to be cool, I'm telling you had to get a head financially. Once a few years have passed you won't really care about those parties anyways, you will however care if you have a mountain of student loans to pay off.
Once you graduate, get a job. Of course, do your best to get a job in your field. However, if you can't, work wherever, however until you can get a job in your field. No laying around until you find the job that's just perfect for you.
Rent until you can afford to put down 20% on a house. Then it's typically a better investment to buy a house. This may take some intense saving. This means if you are looking to purchase a house that is $200,000.00 you need to have $40,000.00 saved up to put towards that house. Plus, you will also need money to cover moving expenses and other home ownership costs you may not expect. (When we purchased our first house, most of the appliances actually didn't work, and needed to be replaced that week. Ouch.)
When you are looking to get pre-approved for a mortgage, don't purchase the most expensive house you can afford. Give yourself a little wiggle room in case circumstances change. For example you may be a young couple, both working full time. Then a year or two down the road you decide to start a family and your overall income changes. Plan for this at the start.
Do not live paycheck to paycheck. Each month make sure you are paying all your bills and paying off all of your credit cards. Put away extra into a savings account. You will gradually build your savings account again (just like you did before you bought the house) There will always be unexpected expenses. Allow for it.
So what about the fun?! Well, once you are living within your means it's easier to splurge once and a while, but you will also better understand what's actually worth it. You will better understand the value of your money, it will become harder to over spend when you worked through the process above.
This should actually be really simple. To summarize really quickly what I will say in this post:
Don't spend what you don't already have.