I live a very simple life, work hard and save money. Just live within my means and work as many hours as I need to(40, 60, 80). I do not have a cell phone(wife does), no cable or high speed internet till I was 44, and still no AC or dishwasher, all are luxeries that I will buy when I feel I can afford them.
Plan for emergencies. Layoffs have been a way of live for the last 20 years so I definitely planned for it by have 3-6 months money saved, a resume ready at all times, a no-fee HELOC, etc. I lost my job and still took our China/Japan vacation the next month and was able to afford medical insurance without any problems.
My brother went through a divorce three years ago after 19 years of marriage, two teenage boys. No money problems for either with the
divorce because they had about $300,000 in net worth that they divided up. No bankruptcy.