I used to receive an allowance each week for doing simple chores around the house. When I was in the second grade, my mother opened a savings account at NatWest bank for me and on my way after school to attending a CCD/IREP program, we'd deposit my earnings into the savings bank. Later, when I switched to Catholic school, I/we would deposit on the walk home. I thought it was so cool that the bank would pay me interest just for putting my money there instead of in my piggy bank at home.
By sixth grade, I was able to buy a computer. Because I was paying for it myself, I didn't get the newest model, but one that lasted me until sophomore year of high school when it died and I had to get a new one. It taught me the value of money as a kid, and when I did occasionally spend on things I wanted (my parents took care of all necessities, but things like video games I was on my own), I had to prioritized if I wanted that thing bad enough to set back my account so much that I'd likely have to give up the next (unknown) thing.
I also always tried to find ways to earn income and work, even as a teenager. I worked at a baseball camp, learned to be good at Texas Hold'em when that was all the rage, because it would pay the bills sometimes when I was around willing gamblers that weren't good at math, did various odd jobs here and there, took the plunge and attempted to start a franchise while in college (that ended badly, but I gained a ton of experience from it, and generally kept my customers happy, so I did learn something, even though the parent company was pretty awful), and worked at my school to assist with having spending money. I'd also frequently work odd jobs if any were available when I was home on breaks.
I was never the smartest, or most academic, but I pride myself on having common sense, which I realize now is far more valuable in the workforce, but when I was 22 I didn't know how to market myself or position myself for the right careers, and I've never been into computer programming. So I took a job with great benefits and a defined benefit pension plan even though it means sacrifices in my way of life for now, but I do it with the goal of retiring at 50 (best case scenario) to a life with plenty of wealth to spare, at 55 worst case scenario. I really can't regret any of the lean times either, because had it not been for those, I probably would have never spent time on the internet finding time to come across MMM, which aggregated a lot of my thought processes into a consistent philosophy and way of life to aspire too, and I also probably would not have met my wife. I do sometimes wonder how different my life would have been if I had been more open to different geographic and career options with other girlfriends, and where I might be now but meeting my wife is one of the best things that happened to me.