Please suggest some practical strategies for developing good spending habits, how to curb overspending?

Before you purchase something, ask yourself:

"Do I need this for my survival now?"

Don't use credit cards, buy EVERYTHING on sale and wait 24 hours before buying an impulse item. Tell yourself, "I'll wait until tomorrow, if I still want it I'll come back. Also buy food in bulk and freeze, and keep a journal of every penny you spend for one month. You will be suprised how much you spend on sodas, fast food, coffee, etc.

Every time you buy something, keep a journal of it. Carry a small pocket notebook with you, and write everything down that you spend money on.
Things you buy, vending machine purchases, tolls, parking meters, food, gas, EVERYTHING.

When you go back and look through it, you will see where you are spending too much.

A tip: If gas, tolls, meters, parking lot expenses, upkeep, etc, is whats bringing you down (gas is bankrupting our country right now) try taking a carpool or the bus, or even riding a bike or walking to work one day a week or more.
Try: http://www.craigslist.com
click on your city and find other people or make a post on what you need or want.

Good luck to your financial future!

Salesmadman nailed it on the head. Dave Ramsey IS your answer. Go to his website, find a local radio station that carries him and L-I-S-T-E-N to him.

set out how much money you intend to spend and carry exactly that amt or a dollar or two more in case of emergencies.

Look into books by Dave Ramsey. He teaches methods to control spending, get out of debt, and save money. I went nuts on his plan and went from having about 50k in debt to debt free in a little over a year. These are not gimmicks, you have to change the way you handle your money.