I live in a rural area with very little access to shopping. You don't feel compelled to buy much if you don't see it around. It really helps too if before you

I live in a rural area with very little access to shopping. You don't feel compelled to buy much if you don't see it around. It really helps too if before you buy something, you ask yourself about alternatives - like if I don't buy this, what are the consequences? I read someone say once that they don't buy anything that they couldn't pay for twice over in cash - makes you think about whether you really need the item. Overall, it's about shifting your mind set. Let someone else play the game of trying to one-up people. Realize that generosity to others is a greater form of wealth than material goods. Realize that the person who spends lavishly often finds themself out of money at some point in their life. That person who finds the need to "keep up" might actually be signaling a cry for emotional help.