There are a lot of reasons to spend money. Sometimes it is because there is some item we want. Usually (aside from non-negotiable bills such as water and trash) it is because spending money on the item gives us an emotional benefit. If we identify what that emotional benefit is, we can often fill that in a less expensive way.

Let me elaborate.

Money Guru David Bach, author of Smart Women Finish Rich, uses the example of a daily latte to show how we can all squeeze a little extra from o…