I've been lucky enough to somehow have an innate knack for financial discipline. I had almost 100k saved by the time I left high school and then invested it to basically retire in my early 20s for a few years. Then I went to college at an expensive school and used a lot of that up until I started to compare the roi on the degree vs the appreciation of my investments. I left college as it didn't make financial sense. I would never make as much as my investments would in 20 years, especially if you factor in the difference in pay with a degree vs without.
The key thing that helps you with spending (and reaching goals in general) is to have a plan and stick to it. Dream of owning a Ferrari? The only thing stopping you from that dream is a plan--then your dream becomes a goal. Figure out each little step and the work towards it, reminding yourself of your end goal. That really keeps you focused.
Case in point was grocery shopping last night. I'm diabetic so I shouldn't have those lovely hostess chocolate covered mini-donuts. But they were tempting me, right in front of me. So I thought of my goal--I want to be healthy for the hard work that I have to complete this week. Healthy=no donuts. I was able to easily walk away.
Very cool story, seems like you definitely know what you're. Ironically my plan is a nissan GTR, I have about half the money saved up throughout all the years working but slowly diminishing because of other expenses such as keyboards. I'm very very fortunate enough to have my parents pay for college, that's why I'm trying to get the best grades possible and not fail out. I do have some long term plans and investments already and but I do like to spend. I've been eating pretty cheap so I can have more extra money to spend on keyboards so I'm not blowing my savings.
A GTR is easier to come by than you think, especially in this economy. Cash in hand always talks. The local guy that bought one paid well under the going rate--right place, right time with a pocket full cash.
A lot of people that had money bought cars that they're looking to get out of now (that sweet RS you posted is probably a perfect example) and having cash in hand makes those transactions much easier to negotiate. (In fact, almost any transaction right now is easy if you have the cash as most people don't.)
My brother and I refused to take money from our parents for college. We paid our own way, so we knew exactly how much it was costing us. My brother never really used his degree, but it was instrumental in him getting doors opened (because it was Caltech) that otherwise would have taken longer. His college costs have more than paid for themselves. The roi was under a decade for sure.
Having cool things is nice, but at some point you have to move them all, and then you'll think 'why do I
need all this junk? My brother has one of the largest private Star Wars collections in the world. But when he moved from his house, he realized he didn't 'need' it. He's in the process of working with the gentleman that has the largest collection to put together a charity auction. But he's still got Yoda, Jar Jar, and Anakin in his living room. Was kinda neat so see them there at his engagement ceremony, lol.
From what I've learned (and what my wife has taught me in recent years) is that stuff is a means to an end. If it doesn't help you build connections with people and the intangibles that make life rich and full, it's just stuff that may be getting in the way of that. At the end of the day all we are, are what people remember of us--just memories. The stuff then eventually gets sold to the highest bidder.