Though I've certainly had my moments of ridiculousness (Ebay, I'm looking at you!), at the core, I'm quite good with being thrifty. Have looked, but can't quite find the exact quote... Goes something like this.... Thrift is the art of doing with one dollar what any bungler can do with two.
Love that. To me, it's about creativity. It doesn't take any creativity whatsoever to buy things. To make something from "nothing", to think of things in new ways, is waaay more interesting. A rush even. (Perhaps this hobby is strange, lol!) Am I relentless about this? No way. BUT, the key to finding enjoyment in it is to consider how much more cleverly things can be done and most importantly, not to think of it as deprivation. Even when the numbers would suggest otherwise. Why say all this? The philosophy of it is easier to remember and apply over a variety of situations.

Philosophy, fine. How about some concrete tips, lady?
When you think of something you need, first consider if you actually do(!) Then consider what else might work that you already have (this is where the creativity part can come in).
More concrete? Fine.
**Bulk buying. Not as in huge volume, but as in, say... bulk spices. Fresher, because you can cater to the kind of quantity you actually use. I use, at most, 3 bay leaves a year. Why buy a whole jar to go flat? Or any boxed/bagged quantity of something you only use infrequently?
**Most of the stuff in the bulk area is much cheaper (but not always! Be not afraid to use the calculator on your phone! ) Learn to recognize the common names of things typically thought of by brand. Like... Cream of Wheat. It's farina. And way flippin' cheaper that way!
**Places like Costco can have great prices (marinated artichoke hearts? sundried tomatoes? Hallelueia!) BUT. Many things are name brand items that are still more expensive than a generic available elsewhere.
**The library!!! We don't have tv. We don't go to the video store. We watch oodles of movies and series on dvd free from the library. Many systems have an online thing where you can get items from other libraries in the system, placing them on hold. All those movies you always meant to watch? No problem. And the best part is that if you don't like it, it didn't cost you anything! (Video stores, for me anyway, would induce fear of *wrong choice* and therefore, I'd take forever and be all stressed out trying to decide.) Oh yeah, and there are books too.
**Avoid browsing. Sure, it seems harmless enough, but it's like crows to the glitter pile. Yeah, Ebay too. (I had to stop because I couldn't stop. Make sense?)

One thing is that I don't have a credit card since the divorce. Debating if I even should. It seems that a lot of situations that called for credit cards before are now do-able with a bank card. In sticking to just the bank card, it is only use-able for what is actually in there. And I refuse to carry a balance. Refuse. Always have. Kept me out a lot of trouble, that one...* So what's the point?

(* To those wondering... yes, in hypomania, I've bought too much and ridiculous things. But it mainly plays out in activity and projects. Wasted money? Oh yeah. Lots. But never money I didn't have. At the time. And of course desperately wished to have back later... )