if you're saving 30-50%, that's impressive. but i think it can be done both ways; just because you're saving doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice the finer pleasures of life.
I like the comment on quality: even though a lot of people scorn spending hundreds of dollars on good shoes/shirts/etc., what they're missing is the fact that, if played well, you can get things that will last you a few years.
re: friends, not sure what you're asking; I don't think the number of friends really counts...quality, I think, does. when you display a lot of money (or power!), everybody wants to be your friend...that's obvious...but weeding out the wheat from the chaff is the more difficult part, but is quite worthwhile.
re: upper classes, it's easy to say that they "lose" it but wealth retention is actually quite higher among upper class individuals than middle or lower class (look who has more appreciating assets, for example)...read <a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LaRWR7Co1ES9MAZlVXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2cXVjNTM5BGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=12n5757au/EXP=1150180347/**http%3a//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671015206%3fv=glance">The Millionaire Next Door</a> for more.