I've pondered this subject myself. Here's what I've come up with.
Both mom and dad grew up on farms during the depression. Money was a serious thing for them. Must have beat it into my head.
My dad worked me very hard growing up. Therefore working became second nature for me. To not be working seems weird even to this day.
When I was about eight I misplaced my piano lesson money browsing the music outside the store where I took lessons. This led to the worst whipping
I ever got... For losing $5.00! But it sure taught me the value money.
After seeing how quickly a 401K fund could grow in a few years, I increased contributions threefold. When a good raise came along, I just rolled it into additional contributions. I'm still watching grow, most of the time.
I married a women who was smart and almost as careful with money as me. (I view this one as critically important to FI.)
Started buying rental properties during the sixth year of marriage. Dad always said to never depend on always having a good job. It could end without warning, and it did. I've seen this happen so many times to so many people. But when it happens after 55, it can really be tough.
All of this resulted in a define benefit pension, rental income, investments and SS eventually when I elect to start it.
Read many books on investing. (I saw myself in The Millionaire Next Door.) We lived below our income, and ignored the lifestyle of friends and neighbors. Didn't take enough family vacations though
. Didn't really set particular goals. One day it just seemed to all work out after over thirty years of trying.
I certainly didn't do everything right, but I did enough. I'm still married to a great lady, and have one brilliant DD who has my frugal ways. It's worked out well so far.