It doesn't cost life to eat modestly and live smaller than you can afford, you live life while doing this. Many think the best part of their life was when they were young and poor, its not a bad life to have low costs so you can live stress free.
Unless you think that the rich experiences of life are what make life worth living, that money grants you access to some of those richest experiences, and that you are more able to fully appreciate and incorporate those experiences into your personhood at a younger age.
I'd advise that person to change their attitude about that, because it's stupid and inhuman. Otherwise you get the absurd statement that average people in most countries, billions, a normal married guy in Vietnam, none of their lives are worth living.
I've traveled to 63 countries, I've had wonderful relationship with people across the globe, and love coding/building services.
I spent ~3 years living in Vietnam, having a more comfortable life than most Americans, while retaining US income levels.
My remote job enabled me to live with my parents longer, earning California-level pay in Florida, helping me save more money and have more time with them.