It’s hard out here for a rapper, including 50 Cent. Gone are the days of frivolous spending. With the recession still impacting 50’s various business ventures, the Queens rapper is smartening up about his spending habits.

“The credit crunch has hit rap,” he told UK’s Telegraph during a promotional run for his latest flick, "Dead Man Running." “I buy diamonds on a very regular basis, but now I am selling my old stuff before I get something new. These are times when you learn about the value of money.”

Though Fif has admittedly lost millions in the recession, he remains optimistic about the future.

“Sure, I lost a few million, but that’s because I have so much,” he shared. “This is a time that will sort out the strong from the weak. Any businessman who wants a piece of the future should learn from me. Obama is great. If he wants me as his financial adviser that would be cool.”