I found a little trick I'm using to try to minimize expenses that don't reflect my values or where I want my life energy to go. I'm at that stage where I've seen a number of foolish purchases go under the bridge and while I consider myself fairly frugal in that I have no interest in vanity purchases like designer bags, jewelry, expensive clothes, etc, I certainly can say I've wasted a LOT of money.
I'm also at that age at which, even though I still am earning well and hope to for the next few years, I can see over the mountaintop when I'll be forced to rely on whatever money I've saved or the government will give me.
So this is what I've been doing as a little test whenever I am tempted to buy something: Say I am tempted to buy a Kate Spade wallet on sale. (I'm not--this is just an example). I imagine myself retired. Then I imagine myself thinking "I wish I had the money I spent on that Kate Spade wallet." If I can imagine myself thinking that, while I'm standing in the store, or browsing on Amazon, I don't go any further with tinkering with the idea of that purchase. For some reason it really helps me clarify my values.
I would tell you what things I've bought over the years that I wish I had the money for today, but it would be a long boring list.
Are there any things that you once bought that you wish you had the money for today?