Another day another dismal Dow. Word on the curb is that this recession just may get deeper before it gets better. But! Never fear, ProperTalks is here with another set of easy tips to keep your change from looking too strange during these tough times. So without further ado, here we go:

• Wear your man’s clothes: Ladies: besides the color, can you tell me the difference between these two items?

Not much. The girl’s version is called a “tunic” and the guys is just a plain old shirt, but who needs    silly labels in a recession? You can transform your boo-piece’s shirt into a cute tunic/shirtdress outfit with a belt, some skinny jeans or leggings and a pair of ankle boots. My dear friend Instant Vintage let me steal a pic (below) of her to illustrate my point. Of course, if your man’s not hipster-rific like mine, it might be harder to get cute patterns like the above buffalo plaid, but snoop around his closet a bit (I’m sure it won’t be the first time) and you just might spot something else you can rock yourself.

• Cancel Christmas: This should be a no-brainer. You’re too old for it anyway. Of course still eat and be merry with the fam, but stop trying to figure out a way to get gifts for everybody and their mom. Unless you have a child or a pre-teen sibling, politely inform your inner circle this year gifts ain’t happenin’. Trust me, it sounds like a much bigger deal than it is. My family “canceled” the gift part of Xmas last year (I was the broke one who suggested it) and everything was still just as warm and fuzzy as always. If you’re a radical like myself you’ll even cancel switching gifts with your significant other. I don’t see the fun in getting a great gift on the 25th and then sitting around the house with your broke ass man till Valentines Day. You could always do the “homemade gift” thing, but that just gets people’s hope up. When they see that gold spray painted macaroni-covered tissue box you make them they’re gonna be dissappointed.

• Get creative with your charity: After hurricane Katrina the great Shawn Carter said, “Sure I ponied up a mil but I didn’t give my time, so in reality it’s like I didn’t give dime or a damn.” You might have already used your spare dimes to get something off the dollar menu, but you probably can still find a little bit of time to give. Spending a little bit of time working directly with a cause that you used to just come out the pocket for may actually be more rewarding for you and them.

That’s all for this installment of C.R.E.A.M.! Stay tuned for new tips and catch up on the last one if you missed it.

Tags: Buffalo Plaid, Charity, CNBC, CNN, CREAM, Instant/Vintage, Jay-Z, The Recession