It is perfectly possible to live life happily without spending excessively.
One of the things I am proudest of is my daughters stories about growing up. We went on family trips many weekends, but to inexpensive places. Almost always camping.
She still remembers that if we stopped at McDonald's I would tell her to get a hamburger, not a cheeseburger -- we had cheese slices in the cooler.
Penny wise and pound foolish.