Well, never learning to drive so I could go to a quilt shop whenever I felt like it helps. lol.
When I've been out with my boyfriend and we go into a shop I buy a little bit of fabric. It used to be I would buy what I need, but lately I find myself giving in to actually building a stash. But I don't buy out the whole store. I buy quarter and half yards for the things I really like, but not sure what to do with it at the moment. I figure I can always go back to that shop if I needed more. If I buy a whole yard its because its for a project I planned. And its fabric that I absolutely adore and cannot leave the store without...if there's a doubt in my mind on whether or not I have a use for it or that really want it I do NOT buy it. It HAS to make me go "OMG! Its pretty! This would look awesome with this idea I had!"
When I posted that I was building a stash and had spent $35 people were like "That's it?" like I had accomplished a feat for spending so little. You can go into a quilt shop and not spend your whole paycheck. lol.
I don't buy everything in one visit either. If tend to gradually buy things. Like...I don't usually buy batting unless the quilt topis done. Having the batting on hand will not make piecing the quilt top any faster.
I haven't done a lot of quilts. I envy the women who whip up a quilt every month. Since I started quilting I average less than one quilt a year. But I think not quilting a different project all the time saves me money. I'm not finishing the previous project in a short amount of time and then buying fabric for the next one. So maybe do a project that takes up your time doing other projects or do fewer projects.
And see if your quilt shop have sale days---one of the places I've been going to (Olive Juice Quilts in La Crosse, WI) has "Bag Lady Day" where the first Thursday of the month you fill a bag with fabric and all the fabrics in the bag are 20% off. A shop I went to on Tuesday (they had Moda marbles so I'm going back) has a frequent buyer program. Take advantage of that sort of stuff.