Here is how we deal with our lifestyle choice
In a way, dh and I grew up with frugal parents. Mine were frugal because they were broke and dh's were frugal because they were children at the tail end of the depression.
dh's parents are still very frugal but my parent's income has went up by $70,000 since I went to college and now they are making up for lost time with their spending habits (we just had to help carry in their $1300 TV and $600 Home Theater system last night).
I have always loved getting the best deal I can so living a frugal lifestyle was an easy transition for me. My mom taught me many tricks of the trade in her frugal days and they have stuck. I never buy anything at full price and I used to be very efficient at feeding my family around sales but know that we don't eat anything refined and buy our eggs and beef from a local organic farmer I just stock up on staples and don't need to do much shopping other then for formula (I have a medical issue that dries me up at 4-5 months) and diapers (Gavin pees through every cloth dipe I have tried over night). I figure when he is done with formula then I won't be going to town nearly as much and then our spending will go down even further.
I think the best way to curb spending and shopping is to plan your day so that you don't get bored and want to spend. Plan time to do crafts with the kids, plan time for yourself to enjoy something you like, pick up a hobby, read about other frugal people so that you know you are not alone in your quest to simplify.
Another good thing to do is look at everything you do and ask if it is a necessity to do the task or if you are just making busy work for yourself. This has saved me alot of time.
I hope that helped a little. We live pretty close so if you need a frugal buddy, let me know.
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