They're still in the mindset. They could afford to loosen it up a bit. But they're emotionally incapable of it.

Try and shock the unresponsive spouse. A financial planner can be helpful because he or she's an objective third party who can point out you're not going to make it at this [savings] rate.

It's common that one spouse is the financial enabler.

They were aware they were in trouble in terms of retirement, but they still weren't ready to face reality.

But they saved almost all of that.

They get the same charge out of saving as spenders get out of spending.

He needs to cut his losses and move on. He lost the money, but it's not something that he can win back quickly and in the effort of trying to do that, he is digging himself in deeper.