I have a rule that if I can possibly buy something I need used, I never buy it new. Obviously, there are exceptions, but I read about the concept of a Year of No Shopping (nothing brought in the house except food, medicine, materials, and used items) and I’ve been following it for over three years now.
My going out to dinner is to friends’ houses, not restaurants. I’m big on spending free time productively, so I’m constantly making things to add to the gift pile. When an occasion comes up, I shop from my handmade gift pile. When I think about how much I used to spend on similar items in the past, it amazes me.