There is a concept common amongst fitness freaks that considers food to be fuel. Many health-minded folks use food as pure nourishment, and NOT recreation. Meaning, they don't eat for fun or pleasure, but instead eat to maximize the health of their bodies. This concept is pretty extreme, but it makes a great deal of sense. If you don't eat for recreation, then you will avoid some major health problems down the road. If you eat a banana instead of a candy bar, then you are giving your body fuel and not just food.

The same concept can be employed with your spending. Money should be considered the fuel that powers your financial future. Now, I realize that you should use money for recreation, but if you view money's primary purpose as one that provides recreation, then you will have major financial problems in the future. A major problem in today's world revolves around the misuse of discretionary income. Too often it is used for recreation, and NOT practical and reasonable purposes.