re: What motivates people to live above their means?

BTW, I read an awesome write up about this a few years ago. Its point was you either sacrifice now or you sacrifice later unless you are independently wealthy.

It is very true. If you make good enough money, you can go buy the nice sports car, nice house, land the trophy female to bang, etc when you are young. Or you can put all that money away and retire earlier and have an easier life when you are older (though you may or may not be able to enjoy it as much). It is all about sacrifices now or later and it is an individual choice if you make enough money to have those options.

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It is funny to me how all the responses are all sacrifice now for later because that is PERCEIVED as the "right" answer.

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Well doing without food and electricity like this woman was preparing to do, while continuing to have a smart phone and eating out every day doesn't fall into your described category.

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t is very simple. You can enjoy more now or enjoy more later. Isn't complicated at all. 

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I don't think this is the mindset that the OP is referring to. At least it's not how I look at it.

Some people just cannot manage money. It's ingrained into there personality that they spend what they have until it's gone.

My gf for example was this type of person. At 30 years old she lived paycheck to paycheck without so much as $1 in savings. I assure you she lived no life of luxury, and she surely wasn't enjoying life stressing about paying rent every month and not having enough money for groceries. Even when she made more money through bonuses or whatnot, it'd all be gone by next paycheck.

Thankfully I beat it in her head to be more prudent with money, and she does a lot better now, but still has plenty to work on. Her livelihood hasn't suffered a bit since she started spending less money, except that she is less stressed out now. It had nothing to do with enjoying life more now, it had everything to do with being responsible.