Money is not an end in itself. It is a tool to be used to do something. You only have one life to live and in that life you will only have so much time, energy, and money (some will have more, and some will have less). Just like with our time and energy, if how we handle our money conflicts with our personal values, we are not going to end up living happy and fulfilled lives.
For example, if you value the security money can provide but your current financial health is full of credit card debt from overspending on clothing, then there is a misalignment between your values and spending. On the other hand, if you value the ability to see the world but you are working 80 hours a week to be able to travel just two weeks a year, then you will end up being very unhappy for much of your life.
Please define three financial values you want your life to reflect going forward by answering the question: why do you want money? (Ex. security, power, helping family, connecting with others, greater spirituality, adventure, confidence, etc.) For each value, write a paragraph on what your life would look like if you were living out this value in your late 20s while still adhering to a tight budget.