There are other angles to this. For example, I am a luxury spender. Travel, cars, nice place to live all are high (but affordable) expenses for me that frugal

There are other angles to this. For example, I am a luxury spender. Travel, cars, nice place to live all are high (but affordable) expenses for me that frugal people would definitely judge me for. However, I find the luxuries of life and being able to share them one of my day to day motivations to keeps me working hard. I also believe my work is broadly beneficial for humanity, but I need a fair bit of local luxuries to keep the day to day motivated. If I died with a little in the bank, a nice life, and a minor (or major) contribution to humanity I'd be fine. Most of the actual millionaires I know have major expenses in their life and they enjoy working. They aren't these bizarre penny pinching, retire at 40 types that seem to pervade financial blogs. But to each their own. Edit: as a counterpoint to my own -- ulta-frugalness may be a completely necessary strategy for anyone but high net worth/high pay individuals need to survive an environment that is cutting entitlements and shows increased long term employment risk.