"But very few have shared with me how much they enjoyed denying themselves. But that is just from my experiences and how they effected me."
Exactly. I figured out in my thirties that the things I would think about when sitting in my rocker, going off my rocker (haha), as I got older did NOT include how much overtime I made, my workplace evaluations, or how fast I climbed that ladder. I realized I would think about family and friends first, then places I'd been and the associations with those places (food, drink, great times). Strangely enough, that was a gift from having cancer. Very few of us die without any regrets, but I'd like to at least avoid the ones I can address at this point in my life. So - bring on the butter! It took me the first 5 years of my retirement to reach a point where I don't feel guilty spending on myself. A weekly treat isn't going to kill me but it sure can make me smile.