In this day in age, we're all feeling the wrath of the screwed up economy. Some of us have had to alter our lifestyles just to make it day by day. Hey, I'm scrapping pennies and am not ashamed to admit it. Everybody isn't able to ball out of control. However, we all have a friend that claims to be balling out of control, but is lying their asses off! So I got this article from a friend of mine and we found it to be very helpful. I've altered it a little bit to reach a particular audience! So here are a few tips on balling on a budget and keeping it real.

1.) Don't watch me, watch T.V.

Please stop trying to compete with your friends. Just because they go out and buy cars, new clothes and purchase new furniture; does not mean you have to take it a step further and buy a new hummer, an entire new wardrobe, and purchase a new house. Stop watching your friends so closely just to try and out do them. Fucking trap stars; you're trapped in this vicious cycle and have no idea how to get out. You're only digging your hole deeper and deeper. It's okay to buy things when you are ready. Bitch you know you broke; act like it.

2.) Stop lying.

Stop making irrelevant announcements about what you have and what you're going to get. We all know that you're not getting shit. Your real friends know the truth already, and they will accept you regardless of how much you have in the bank account. True friends look out for one another in this area. If you broke, we got you. If we all broke, we hit up the nearest value menu, stay in the house and enjoy each other's company. "To get what you've never had; you must do what you've never done" and STOP LYING! No one believes what you're saying anyway. Bitch you know you broke; act like it.

3. Balling on A Budget.

You know how much free stuff is at our fingertips in this world?! You're trying to join high class gyms, when you can walk out your front door and go on a brisk jog; or a full sprint to dodge the bullets flying at your head in your ghetto ass neighborhood. Stop trying to keep up with your friends by accepting invitations on expensive ass vacations. You know you can't go, so just say so. Tell them you'll catch them next time or suggest something more suitable to fit your financial situation. Your real friends will understand. Bitch you know you broke; act like it.

4. Paycheck to Paycheck.

Instead of coming up with lies as to why you can't make a certain event planned by your friends; keep it real and let them know that you don't get paid until next week and to holler at you then! It's okay if you can't go see a movie in the theatres, we ALL KNOW a bootleg man. We can just come over your place and make it a movie night in the house. Plan ahead of time. Budget out your expenses and when that next paycheck comes you'll be ready. You know you're broke man; act like it!

5. Do you.

Spend your money how you want to spend it. Don't let others decide for you. Peer pressure is a MOTHER for some people. None of your friends are paying your bills and damn sure aren't paying your rent that is due on Saturday, but you realllyyy want to go to the club with them on Friday. Go head, and you won't have a place to live on Sunday. Prioritize. Do things at your own leisure. You're broke; act like it.

In conclusion, if you have to pay for your friendships and break your bank just to keep up with them, you need to find a new group of friends. Maybe a nice homeless man or woman. They are always friendly, but who knows you'll probably be trying to keep up with them as well. Damn circus monkeys! Barnum and Bailey is in town and they need a new act; go apply. You know you need the money!