Importance of savings - a view from an elderly person

I met an elderly person. He told me about his approach towards financial matters, when he was young. I wish to share his thoughts:

* I realise the importance of savings when I was young
* When my friends spend their money on holidays, I keep them as my savings
* I bought property at that time, when it was cheap
* I own a few properties over the years, which appreciated in value
* The savings give me the confidence to do things on my own
* Many young people over-spend and had debts on their credit cards. It is stressful to be pressed to pay these debts.