The federal government now reports that we have had 13 consecutive months of budget deficit. It's clear that we can't control federal spending. We can't even control state spending all that effectively.

What we can control is how we handle money in our own lives.

For example, Clark used a disposable 17-cent razor to shave for eight months. He dried it after each use to stretch his budget. Never once did he cut himself.

The razor may be trivial to some people, but it's really symbolic of a whole mentality about saving money. In another example, Clark won't pay for parking; he'll walk as far as he has to in order to find free parking. He picks up money he finds on the ground. That's simply who he is.

Of course, just worrying about low-cost things alone will not change your overall financial picture. But it's part of a process of changing what you spend money on and how willingly you spend it.

Consider this: You can brew a cup of coffee at home for about six cents a cup or you can pay more for it at a Starbucks or elsewhere.

Think about all you spend money on in your life. Where can you stretch a buck? Look at all your monthly bills and see what you can trim down.

In the big picture, are you buying more house than your budget allows? Are you cycling through cars too quickly? Owning a new car for 10 years is optimal. Buying used is even better. In fact, driving a used car for four years is the financial equivalent of owning a new car for 10 years.

This recession has been more painful than past ones not because we've had more unemployment. We haven't. It's been more painful because people went into this recession with a higher average level of debt vs. income than at anytime in the past.

When you have less debt and fewer obligations, you can save more money. So it doesn't start with making a 17-cent razor last and last, but it is symbolic of an overall reset that Clark wants you to do in your life.

Be careful, however, not to take the fun out of life. But do realize that possessions, debt and obligations don't equal fun. Experiences, family and friends do.