If you talk to 20 different people about a subject like this, you'll get 20 different answers. Everyone feels differently about rodents...everyone has a different perspective on what the word "cruel" means...everyone has different reasons for why they use the feeding method they do....and many other variables as well.
If you HAVE to feed live for some reason, then you'll have to figure out how to emotionally distance yourself from the prey item. And that's different for different folks as well.
If you can switch to f/t...then go for it! I did and I hope I don't ever have to go back to live feeding. I don't have a problem with anyone else feeding live...but I much prefer f/t. There's nothing wrong with switching to f/t for whatever reason....be it financial or emotional.