Although neither my husband nor myself have been highly paid during our working life, we have always saved what money we could.
My OH always contributed to a pension, but I never did, taking time out to raise children, then a series of part-time jobs. When I eventually did a full-time job it seemed too late to contribute to a pension - something I now regret!
Being cautious investors, we have preferred the safety of cash savings and ISA accounts rather than investing in equities. Even though interest rates are depressingly low! We had shares in Halifax and Bradford & Bingley Building Society, and when they crashed years ago, we lost lots of money, making us more cautious than ever!
My advice would be to stay longer in education when young, I took my A Levels in my forties. If I had been motivated earlier, I would have had gained qualificiations leading to better jobs.
Always save what you can, enough to see you through any emergencies, and hopefully a nest egg.
Don't buy clothes that you are going to wear when slimmer! I have a wardrobe of clothes which I still can't get into!