Part of me applauds the badass aspect, but part of me sees it as self-denial - she is denying herself the fruits of her labors and a well earned and well-deserved retirement.
I see it as being incapable and/or fearful of change - you continue to do things that have worked in the past and are incapable of enjoying life, you do not honor yourself.
Let me put it this way - I knew a lady (born in Sicily, moved to the states when she married and had eight kids) absolutely loved life and was a joy to be around. She was a good seamstress and worked in the garment industry all her life, plus she sewed for everyone in the family and made a side income while raising eight kids.
She loved and appreciated clothing and travel and food and managed to live by herself until she was 101. At age 97 she made Pizelli from scratch for me as a gift - to die for:), hemmed my son's jeans and enjoyed a glass of wine every time she came over.
She knew how to make a penny scream for mercy and loved life and her family. Frugality, bad ass or otherwise is only an admirable trait when it makes sense, sitting in the dark and continuing to work eight to ten hours a day after retirement is foolishness in my book.
FWIW - I grew up without a washer and dryer, but you bet I do enjoy having a washer, and no, I don't really have the strength anymore to do a proper handwashing job even if I wanted to.
We don't have a dryer by choice and we often get the look:) - poor thing, so poor she can't afford a dryer. Hey, I live in Florida, it's still 80 degrees today and yup I hung up my laundry today because it makes perfect sense to me.
When the time comes and I can't deal with the heat or the work involved - I'll buy a dryer - no problem.
It all comes down to lifestyle choices and while presumably her choices are rooted in her upbringing, we need to give ourselves permission to grow up and grow beyond the thoughts and values of our youth and become our own person.
There are really quite a few people who need very little to be content, Mr. R. is one of them and I do admire that ability. However, I will say it comes naturally to him, whereas I continually struggle to see the light, but I glimpse it now and then:) and I have my moments and successes.
MMM is a lifesaver for those of us who are not naturally frugal but forgive me if I'm not impressed much less motivated by this particular example of badassity.
It sounds to me like it might be a life lacking in balance and joy.