Draginol this question sounds surprisingly condescending for you. I have read and enjoyed your blog for years, and this post just surprises me. I don't know you outside of your blog, but I have followed your company and your success(I've sent you a few bucks here and there).
I do not know the couple involved, but to judge them on their level of income seems wrong. As you have stated in the past(correct me if I'm wrong in this, I didn't spend much time googling and based it on my recollection of your columns, which may be faulty) Wealth is not directly correlated to your intelligence, many factors or involved.. the willingness to take risks is part of that.
Risks sometimes pay out, sometimes not, there is a level of luck involved, it's not all luck, but there is some. It is about taking calculated risks, managing those risks, and if you are lucky you wind up on the plus side. Sure you can influence your overall luck, you chances may increase if you are smart about which risks you take, work hard to make it done, and plan appropriately. But brains, hard work and a plan won't make money on their own.
I think you should consider their views, but weigh it against your own experiences, and what you know about theirs. It may not be good advice, and they may be blow hards, but to associate that with how they came into their recent money, or how much they earn would be foolish.
There are many ways to become rich, and likely many more ways to become poor. Count your blessings for what they are, and don't be so quick to judge others.
Maybe they needed or choose to to spend more time with their kids or help their family through rough times, rather than building a business. Maybe they had a business that didn't succeed, and they had to start over. Anyways, it could be good advice or bad advice, but I wouldn't discount it solely on their level of success, or how they got there
(ok, their success path would weigh on how I valued their view, but it depended on the view. Look at our current Commander in Chief, he has made lots of money, I doubt I would take his advice on much of anything business related, however I am sure he could offer good advice on getting votes, and influencing people)
(Lord, $200k is not alot of money(and shrinking daily), sure a person could live comfortably on that just as easily as be broke. A fool and his money is easily parted. $200k just means you can spend more a month than the guy making $100k and alot more than the guy making $20k, but it alone won't make you a millionaire. Keep in mind the more you make, the more you pay out, I'm sure Draginol can relate to that. It's easy to find things to spend money on)
(The more I reread your original posting, maybe it's not as bad as my first impression, but I going to post this anyway, take it as you will. I haven't won the lottery yet, they won't give me any free tickets!!)