Seems like she has her head on right. This idea of sacrificing your prime years because it's "prudent" is a bunch of sh*t. Money ain't no good unless you spend it. I've got some savings but that isn't the driving force of my life. I've done pretty well cruising through life thus far; can't see any reason to change as long as I'm meeting my obligations.
If I end up on poor and on welfare after I retire so be it; I'm not blowing my remaining active years on the promise of a future I may not live to see. My grandfather dropped dead a year before retirement, so I figure if I live past age 65, I'm exceeding expectations.
People who get angry about how other people live their lives need to get a hobby or something. You want to work hard and be thrifty, that's fine, just don't expect a medal for it - you certainly won't get one from me.