I agree.

As someone who's dealt with this during times of transition (changing jobs, moving, and most recently planning a wedding), I know this is bad.

But I think part of what makes this a difficult problem to solve is that much of the advice on this subject focuses on how temporary and incomplete the fix is.

I've found a lot more success by before and after I buy anything (yes, anything-even a tube of toothpaste) recording how I feel. Collecting that data over a few months is a much more compelling argument against emotional spending. In other words, breaking a habit like this in a lasting manner requires reframing the costs and benefits in a personally compelling manner.