Personally, I've seen glaring examples of both extremes when it comes to living above/below your means. However, I don't know that this is generational. Back when I was in my 20s I knew plenty of people (in my age group) buying expensive cars/housing and being cash broke.
An example to the contrary... a few years back I worked with a college hire who got a super fat signing bonus and made a plenty hefty salary for a first job, but he rented his friend's walk-in closet and almost never ate out. Within just a few years he had enough money for a downpayment on a home in one of the most expensive housing markets in the US. I don't think this type of frugality has ever been the norm, but it does exist in all generations.
An example to the contrary... a few years back I worked with a college hire who got a super fat signing bonus and made a plenty hefty salary for a first job, but he rented his friend's walk-in closet and almost never ate out. Within just a few years he had enough money for a downpayment on a home in one of the most expensive housing markets in the US. I don't think this type of frugality has ever been the norm, but it does exist in all generations.