OP here. I say to myself, if I want something new for instance, I'd love to build a small boat, I force myself to build it entirely myself, with as many recycled or free parts as possible, and if a want incurs a whole host of maintenance costs, it's not a viable project.

I also can't recommend enough the whole approach of looking poor, or just as poor as your neighbours. It's probably the practical side of the rules of the mage - staying silent, appearing ordinary, simple acts of charity, and I do find that practising a certain gruff and grumpy exterior helps to banish off people you just don't want around. It's no joke, because in tough times, people will lash out at those appearing to be better than others.