Manage your finances. Know where every penny goes. Budget as best as you can - plan for all of the things you know you spend money on through a year. It doesn’t mean you can’t spend money on things you like, but it does mean that you know when you can afford it. It gives you confidence and control no matter how much you are making.
He is full of shit, for sure. But let’s say we take his claim at face value, that level of stupidity has no business in political power. So, lose-lose.
That is on par with most of political scandals and the defenses given, they are either clearly in on the fuckery, or so monumentally stupid that they were unaware of it happening around them or that it was illegal/immoral. There is no answer that gets them off the hook and provides confidence in their abilities.