In the September issue of Good Housekeeping there is an article A Year Without Shopping where a family quit all spending for an year except for necessities.

They found out ways to reuse items and substitute items for things they needed. And also found things in their house they already had but had forgotten about. So they were able to use them instead of running out and buying them again. It also made them think about purchases more. If they really needed something or if they were just buying it because they wanted it.

You don't have to cut out all purchases but if you take the chance to think about if you really want the item you are thinking about buying.

One of the main concepts of getting ahead with your money is living within or preferably below your means.