This may also be affected my the conditions I've grown up with (lower middle class, borderline poverty at times) but I find myself to be much frugal by default

This may also be affected my the conditions I've grown up with (lower middle class, borderline poverty at times) but I find myself to be much frugal by default when compared to my friends from Western Europe. For example: I barely every get coffee from a coffee shop because in Poland the prices are ridiculous (≈$4.5/€3.7 for a flat white cup is standard). If I'm desperate for coffee when out (and didn't bring my own) I look for the nearest vending machine or, at worst, a Żabka (a 7-Eleven equivalent). The people I know from Belgium but also Germany or France just go to a Starbucks or Costa without hesitation. Just little habits like this are what makes me feel the difference in both mentality and income. PS Sorry for the late response.