A  Recessionista is a girl who knows about the state of the financial climate but combats it by being suitably sassy with her money. I might be the wrong person to write this article – I ignore my bank statements and spend a LOT of money on pretty, pretty shoes -  but I do however have some tricks to turn a dull evening  spent watching Eastenders into fun and frolics without spending the pennies. As Janet once sang, ‘the best things in life are free’, so grab your partners in play and get old-skool creative.

Singstar Superstar
Let’s ignore the fact you might not have a playstation, you can betcha bottom dollar somebody in your circle of pals will have. Get a party of ten, chuck in a fiver each, buy a couple of mixers and some crisps. Next, raid the drinks cupboard – I recommend Crème De Menthe, Cinzano, and Advocatt – 70’s retro fabulousness. Mix with Singstar classics (I particularly love Tiffany – I think we’re alone now), and if you run out of songs, put on a tv music channel and turn up the volume disco style. Add crisps – you need some sustenance for the singing, obviously, and there you have it, your own fabulous Seventies style soiree. I would recommend limiting your gay friends on this though – not only do they hog the microphones, but from recent experience, they usually end up hogging each other. In the garden.

Photo: Daily Mail

Girls night in
What you need:
Your girls
A sofa
Duvets
Chick flicks (13 going on 30, Thelma and Louise and Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
Pretty pyjamas
Your friend’s make-up stashes combined

You don’t have to be 14 to have a sleepover, y’know. Give each other mini-makeovers – I’m not saying your girls haven’t got style, but giving them a new look that they’d never try otherwise, is lots of fun, promise. You could also make a face scrub from stuff in your cupboard – olive oil, a dash of honey and sugar – to give your skin a good polish. Then paint each other’s nails and pluck those brows. Chuck in some popcorn and you’ve the right to be pretty in anything, let alone pink!

Photo: www.honfleurhome.com

Make do and Mend
I recommend heading to the Imperial war museum and seeing the Make do and Mend exhibition, but that’s just me, because I’m a sucker for all things Land Girls-esque. But if you can’t get to London, get customising instead.
I was enjoying the idea of the clothes swapping trend, but I think its safe to say I am not the only one who balked at the idea of two girls battling it out for an eighties shoulder pad dress. Not dignified.
So, grab the clothes and jewellery that you don’t wear much and were considering chucking and shorten those hems, add new buttons, tie with a new ribbon – even if you’re not going to wear it, maybe they a friend will once it’s been altered. It’s the same with jewellery, a lot of designers are recreating new pieces out of old pieces -you can get posts, clasps, chains and studs for creating your own at the Bead Shop if you fancy trying it yourself.

Some more ideas include: Making Monopoly a drinking game, early evening, sunshine walks – not at night, sassy equals smart, remember – cruising (not in a sexual way, but us gals love a li’l road trip where we can sing along to Lady Gaga at the top of our voices). Friends, however, are the true answer to monetary craziness and are the all meaningful. Amen.

PS: Tips below please, girls – this thing is set to last two years!