Someone said something awhile ago, and I didn't even really notice it until someone else pointed it out. I didn't "get" it at first, but with our new way of living, it's made a lot of sense to me, and it's helped me change my thinking and my emotional reaction.

"I choose not to spend my money on that."

Sounds so silly, but WOW does it work.  I've found that by using that mentality, not spending money on something makes me feel empowered rather than deprived.  We all have choices, and I could very easily take out a credit card and charge whatever I wanted at that moment.  However, by making the conscience decision to not hand over my plastic or cash, well, I'm in control.  Isn't that what we all want anyway, to be in control?  It's made things a lot nicer, if only in my own head