I couldnt agree more, for almost 2 years now I've alocated 20-25% of my post tax income to savings. I had to change my life style for a bit but for the most part for the better (e.g. I cook 95% of my meals now) everyone i told this too responded by sayingn something like: wow you are really smart with money and how brave bla bla. The truth is I'm not smart I don't invest the money like some stock market shark I'm just lucky enough to be able to afford to do give up on 20%+ of my income. Saving money isn't a question of intelligence or even will for most people it's a pure issue of affordability.