Lemondrop

If you're like us, you need to seriously rein in your spending to have any hope of making it through 2009.

To help you (and us), Lemondrop asked financial success coach Jenifer Madson, au­thor of "A Financial Minute: From Money Madness to Financial Freedom, One Minute at a Time," for some realistic advice (not something useless like "Don't go shopping the entire year") on turning over a new financial leaf.

1. Release the Past: So, in college you ran up $10,000 in credit card debt on beer and new shoes. Exorcise the guilt from your mind, and look ahead.

"You are where you are now, for better or for worse, because of old choices," says Madson. "You can now make new and improved choices for the future." And every responsible choice you make is a commitment to your new financial freedom.

Say you blew $500 at Macy's last month. Just choosing not to go back and tempt yourself -- instead of saying, "Ugh I'm hopeless" and marching right back for the MLK Day sales -- is a positive step. Reward yourself for every good choice you make instead of beating yourself up over past bad ones.

2. Create a New Financial Identity: Create positive financial mantras. Madson suggests writing down statements such as "Money is my partner in forging a fabulous future." Sounds hokey, but didn't such empowering repetitions work for "The Little Engine That Could"?

3. Be Honest About Why You Really Spend Money: When was the last time you splurged? Was it after a bad day at work or a fight with your best friend? Maybe you would have kept the cash had you actually talked it out, hit the gym or just given yourself a half-hour to chill.

"Overspending tends to come from meet­ing our emotional needs by way of our wallet, so brainstorm more lasting ways to meet those needs, and you'll never again be at the mercy of the mall," Madson says.

Click here to read more tips for saving this year.

4. Know What It Takes to Get There: If your goal is to one day own your own home, look at how much you'd have to save each month to come up with a decent down payment. If that's $100 a a month, have $50 from each paycheck automatically siphoned into a savings account. Once you've figured out small, achievable steps you can take to reach your goals, saving money doesn't seem so pointless.

5. Make Tangible Changes That Show You've Changed Your Ways: Translation: Make a fresh financial start. "If you've decided that you are now clear and organized financially, make sure the physical places where your money resides reflect that identity by being clear and or­ganized also," says Madson.

Move your unopened bank statements out of a shoebox and into a file folder, order a new checkbook cover for $3.99, or get a new low-fee credit card that's only for preplanned expenses. Every time you see the new money accessory, you'll be proudly reminded of your new attitude -- and more likely to stick with your plan. That's a small price to pay for the psychological boost that will keep you on track all year.

6. Lessen How Much You Spend on Free Time: Scientists say being around people who eat a lot will make you eat a lot -- and the same goes for constant spenders. Surround yourself with others who are also trying to be more responsible with their money, and it'll be easier to save.

We're not saying ditch your spend-happy friends, but hang out with them on your turf. Instead of a club with bottle service, why not invite them out for happy hour? And organize a potluck brunch at home in place of a pricey brunch out.

7. Develop a Solid System: If "budget" isn't in your vocabulary, it might be time to add it. Track your spending consistently so you don't bounce checks and end up asking mom for rent money. Once you've got a budgeting system in place, you'll feel a lot more confident about your money-saving abilities -- we promise.

8. Have a Budget Buddy: Saving money is so much easier if there's someone else helping you track your goals. Ask a friend or family member to keep you accountable. Check in with them every other week to make sure you've got your spending under control.

9. Be Flexible: Earmark some of your budget for unforeseen expenses. You can't control things like your car needing a new transmission or your rent increasing. A setback shouldn't become an excuse to give up, and having the wiggle room to be creative will keep you feeling in control.

10. Celebrate! If you get too serious and never spend money on fun, you'll become bitter. So go buy that purse or occasionally hit the town with the girls ... on your terms, that is.