While I generally agree, I think for many people it's easier to cut 10% of their annual spending instead of getting better return rates or a salary raise.
That's the sad thing though. While many people do spend their way to poverty, personal finance people almost never seem to address the question of how to negotiate/strategize to get more money in the first place. A lot of people semi-rationally conclude that the way to make money is to look successful by driving a new vehicle, wearing nice clothes, and 'fake it til you make it.'