[jppope]

This question sounds like you are having a "lifestyle creep" problem. Which is super legit... I fight with the same problem and am interested with HN advice on the subject.

Here are the things I've done (please give me more!):

* I'm very clear with the definition of "want" versus "need", and when making any purchases especially major ones I'm clear with which of the two the purchase is.

* Once a month I run through my finances to keep myself grounded. If I see that I spent $60 on lattes, I know that I'm out of control in that area and tighten up.

* I separate my money into various accounts when it comes in. As mentioned Vanguard is a useful tool for auto deductions from the checking account.

* Lastly, I try to remind myself of the times when I didn't have much, and give myself the old "winter is coming" pep-talk. All of us/ Any of us that are working for a wage (W2 land) could be promoted to customer at the bat of a managers eye... and that is exactly the moment when you will wish you had saved. I.E. the "Ant and the grasshopper" moment.