UFO Recession Tip 48 - 15 Ways to Exercise Your Budget during Recession

1. Do not spend more money than you have. Sounds so obvious, but not for a lot of Earthlings. That means, no using credit cards, or writing checks for funds that are not yet in your account. If you do not have the cash in the bank, do not purchase the item.

Say this out loud with us, Earthlings: No cash in your bank, NO check writing!

2. Receipts. Check your receipts to make sure you are charged correctly every time you purchase something. Mistakes happen. Take your receipts home and track what you spend. This will help you see what areas you should cut back on. Check your bank statements as well, in case your bank made a mistake on a transaction. Oh, surely, your bank has never, ever made a mistake. Yeah, okay. Banks on Earth are designed to screw you up and overcharge you with fees. We hate to burst you bubble.

3. Lists. Make a list of every item you need to buy before you shop. Stick to the list. No buying candy bars at the checkout stand, or those fuzzy green slippers that are on sale. Please do not buy any magazines either, no matter how inviting Britney Spears, the 'Queen of the Drama Queen' appears to be on the front cover.

Buy what you NEED, not what you WANT. Those are two separate things.

4. Make Starbucks Coffee at home. See Tip 32 - Drink Coffee at Home. If you do not do this during the recession, you might as well get a part-time job at Starbucks.

5. No hungry shopping.  We have told you before. Never, ever go grocery shopping hungry! You could shop hungry only if you go to grocery stores where they give out samples.  This is a great way to feed your tummy while appearing to be interested in purchasing the product. It is important to chat with the person making the samples. Talk it up. Act really interested, you might get a few extra samples for your tummy. Please limit samples to a maximum of five each so as not to appear selfish.

6. Take a sack lunch to work. Do this every day and you'll save hundreds or thousands a year! Pack your lunch with a smile every day. After work, try to find a happy hour place where they serve free appetizers. If possible, order tap water because it is free (Make sure there are no pharmaceuticals, especially Viagra, in your water. If you are male you should take advantage of the free Viagra). If not water, get a $2  beer and nurse it for the next two hours. Please do not forget to leave a tip. The waiter is also trying to survive the recession.

7. Recycled or vintage clothing. Shop thrift stores, use hand-me-downs, share clothes with your friends, or remake old clothing into new styles. Be creative and green like me!

8. Pat yourself on the back. That is easier for us aliens than you humans. But please remind yourself, every single day, that almost everything you do to save money also helps the environment. And being green is cool! Use positive affirmations when you get up every morning by saying:

A penny saved is a penny earned. Repeat while taking shower, brushing teeth and shaving.

9. Cash only. If you spend actual cash, you will spend less. It is harder for humans to part with cash than it is to write a check or use a credit card. Remember, ATM cards are dangerous. Give yourself only the amount of cash each day that you can afford to spend. Simple.

Do not carry dollar bills. We observed that it is Earthling nature to spend less when you have larger bills such as 5's, 10's and 20's. Dollars can disappear quicker by burning a hole in your pocket. Scary!

10. Wear blinders. That means do not go to the mall. Do not watch television commercials. Do not purchase fashion, vacation or electronics magazines. Not being exposed to new products on the market will greatly reduce your desire for new items during the recession. Earthlings, try not to purchase no matter what kind of tax rebates your government offers you to spend money.

11. Watch that budget. Look at it every day to keep track of spending. When you see how much you are saving during the recession, you will feel happy and look for additional ways to save. Make it a game.

Paste your budget on the bathroom wall, living room, bedroom, in your car, and kitchen. If you are proud of your budgeting effort, why not frame it or paint a picture of it? You could even knit it as a sweater, perhaps.

12. Major purchases. Take it slow. Do not purchase anything major on the first shopping trip. Wait 24 hours and think carefully, NO. Then, wait 72 hours and think about it, again. Tell yourself, manana!

13. Review your budget and spreadsheets whenever you can. Yes, you can even do it before love making. We think your mate will be impressed with your financial intelligence, but PLEASE make sure you do not review budget during sex or lay on it during the fun, Earthling experience.

Keep your budget constantly fresh in your mind. Memorize it. Have your friends or mate quiz you each day. This helps curb your desire to spend, spend, spend. It ensures you know how much you actually have to spend if you need, and motivates you to pay off debt and save more.

14. Budget time to budget. Plan to budget your budget thoroughly at least once a week. Give yourself happy faces when you have met your budget. Use every last scrap of every last thing you purchase.

Do not waste anything. Don’t leave taps running, do not throw out the quarter of a plate of dinner you didn’t eat.

15. Please exercise your budget every day.  Budgets are a moving target, so do not let your costs get out of control. Walk or run your budget in order keep it from getting fat. Continue to trim it every day.