So, how do you kill the ugly urge to spend, overspend, and spend some more? Try some of the following tips.

1. Take a look at your life. Usually when you spend and spend, especially if you are spending money that you do not have, thus getting into debt, you are doing it as a way to make up for a void of some kind in your life. You may be dissatisfied in a relationship, in your work position, in yourself. Thus, to make up for the void you feel, you fill your life with meaningless purchases. Oh, granted, they are often fun, practical, and useful items, iPods, computers, televisions, designer clothing, fast cars, etc. However, when one learns to be content with themselves, and their situation, the ugly urge to spend, and overspend subsides. Instead of filling ones life with spending, ones life is filled with powerful relationships, friendships, and hobbies that mean more than having the latest and greatest gadget, designer labels, etc.
2. Recognize the benefits of avoiding debts. A great way to avoid the urge to spend is to make spending not as rewarding as staying out of debts. Spending money is often a way to reward oneself or celebrate, or validate. However, if you can get those same feelings from reducing debts, rather than incurring them, your financial situation will be greatly improved. Let's look at an example: There is something to be said about having a great big, upgraded home. It gives you prestige and a feeling of worth. However, there is also something to be said of having a small mortgage, that does not over-stress you or your ability to earn. Which is better? Having the big house? Or having the small, affordable, less stressful mortgage? Because spending is often an emotional decision, approaching it logically as laid out here does not always work. However, if you can get your emotions to align with the logic, meaning if you can emotionally feel better when you have no debt, you will be able to fight, and eventually kill the urge to spend.
3. Have loftier goals. A cup of gourmet coffee in the morning may be very fulfilling, but forgoing a $3.75 cup of coffee in order to save for an even more rewarding, and better purchase, such as a home, a great vacation, a college education, can be far more rewarding. If you want to kill the ugly urge to spend, your goals ought to be focused on long term satisfaction rather than instant gratification. If you can look at yourself and figure out how to focus on long term happiness for yourself, you will be able to kill the urge to spend. What will make you happy? What is a loftier goal you could work toward that would be motivating enough to help you be more frugal with your spending?