I think most of us here who have retired in some comfort still "pinch pennies". I'd like to fly Delta One to Europe, but the cost is outrageous. I'd like to have a Mercedes SUV like my buddy, but we bought a Hyundai. Some of the condos near us are more ritzy, we like the location here better, even though the building isn't ritzy.
I also went to college for eight years, some of which was, well, unpleasant, and worked 30+ years at a job. Sacrifice early so you can have some comfort later.
Avoid credit card debt like the plague, don't take fancy vacations, pay off loans ahead of time, don't dine out often, try and buy something even if it's a modest home rather than rent (this may be changing), max out your retirement plans as soon as you can, keep your vehicles ten plus years and maintain them yourself if you can, this isn't a mystery.