Not everyone measures their happiness by the balance in their bank account. These "miserable people" might be genuinely enjoying their "useless" trinkets and adventures. If it's not for you - OK, but don't judge other people like that. Contrary, I know plenty of older, rich people that worked hard their whole life and are still miserable, because they are missing the time they could have spent with the loved ones (especially when they pass away) or didn't do things they enjoy.
What they're trying to say is, if you work in a job you don't like and pace through work from one holiday to the next, you're basically missing out on life.
I mean, how much holidays do you have? In Germany for every holiday week you work five weeks.
What makes you think that they are missing life? They might as well work in a position they are not overly enthusiastic about, but earn enough to meet their lifestyle and enjoy their life after 5pm back at home with loving family or working in a garden. How that's worse than working your ass off 80h per week, earn a lot of money, but then be a rich 50 year old with no family and no friends? I mean, how can you even objectively compare such things? Choose whichever way and lifestyle works for you and brings most happiness, but don't judge people that choice other ways.
