It’s no big secret that the global economy is gasping for air. And that can certainly put a pinch on your just-for-fun funds. But it doesn’t mean you have to hunker down under a gray cloud of boredom. There are plenty of things you and the gang can do for a good time. No need to reach too deep into your wallets!

Dinner and a Movie
Round up the crew for pizza and movies at your place. Stash the carryout menu! Instead, hit the supermarket for shells (pita bread works great for pizza), sauce and cheese. Have everyone bring their favorite toppings and start the party in the kitchen. Heat the oven to 450 F, and let all your friends pitch in on the pizza assembly line. Bake about 10 minutes or so, then serve up some slices. Dessert? Try popcorn sprinkled with cocoa powder, cinnamon and sugar and munch on it while the movie rolls. Pssst…dim the lights.

Stay-at-home Spa
Get together with a pal for some pampering and a fresh glow. In a small bowl, mix up a moisturizing facial scrub of one-fourth cup brown sugar, plus one tablespoon each of sea salt, olive oil, honey and milk until it’s like a grainy paste. Apply with fingers in a circular motion to a clean face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.

For a soothing foot soak, fill the bathtub up to your ankles with warm water. Toss in a handful of baking soda or Epsom salt, plus a dash of essential oil or vanilla extract. Sit on the edge of the tub and sink your feet in. Afterward, dry those tootsies, and polish each other’s toes with an eye-popping color while listening to soft music.

Swap ‘n’ Shop
Turn your bedroom into a department store. Clear your closet of all the clothes and accessories you never wear. Tell your friends to do the same, then gather up the goods for a grand giveaway gala. Stack all the sweaters neatly on a chair, group the shoes together, put jeans into a neat pile, hang belts over a door, display jewelry on a shelf. Make it look like an uber-chic boutique. After setting up, it’s time to shop…um, swap. No price tags because everything is free. Go at it, girls!

Ugh. Trying on swimsuits definitely isn’t as fun as trying on shoes, right? Shoes never make you look too fat, too thin, too flat, too whatever…but hey, get over yourself! With the right cut and style, you can love your beautiful bod in a bathing suit.

If the Suit Fits ….
Look for your body type below to find the suit that best, um, suits you!

Bootylicious If you’re fuller in the tush than you are on top, two-piece swimsuits with skirted bottoms are way in this season and are perfect for flattering your best assets. Go for solid colors or pretty patterns -- doesn’t matter what you choose.

Itty bitties To compensate for small breasts, you can always go for a bikini or one-piece suit with padding on top. Otherwise, stick to suits with halter-style tops or those embellished with ruffles.

Roundabout If you have a round shape, your best bet is to invest in some dark, solid-colored tankinis. You could also try one-pieces with large florals in bright colors or busy geometric patterns.

Skinny minnie You’re super thin or have an athletic build? Opt for one-pieces with belts or other detailing that’ll give the illusion of a waistline. If you’d rather wear a bikini, go for one that has a wide band under the bust.

Bustin’ out If you’re full-breasted, be sure to get a suit that has underwire built into the top for support, and lining in the bust for coverage. Also, try to find suits that are solid-colored on top but patterned on the bottom.

Rock it body-confident!
The most important factor when strutting your stuff in a swimsuit is to have self-confidence. This is so much better than being self-conscious. There is nothing more attractive than a girl who looks like she’s totally comfortable in her own skin. So instead of freaking out about every little perceived flaw, make an attitude adjustment. All girls are be-you-tee-ful! Start believing it.

“I’m booooooored….” Oh, puh-leeze! We’ve got plenty of ideas to keep you from dozing off in the middle of the day. You can do any of these activities with friends or by yourself. And you can do many of them indoors or out, rain or shine. Get ready for the excitement plan!

Have a picnic Whether on your bedroom floor or in the backyard, spread out a blanket and eat lunch.

Make papier-mâché Blow up a balloon then make a paste by mixing water and flour until it’s a goo. Dip newspaper strips into the paste, and cover the balloon. Let dry, pop the balloon with a pin and paint.

Do push-ups How many can you do? Next, try sit-ups.

Plan a sleepover Make an invite list, brainstorm party ideas, figure out the menu and set a date!

Plant a seed What’s in the fridge? Oranges, apples, cucumbers? Cut one open and take a few seeds out. Let them dry on a paper towel then plant them in a pot or outside. See if they sprout.

Make a smoothie Mix yogurt, juice, fresh fruit and ice cubes in a blender until smooth. Drink up!

Play hopscotch Use chalk to draw alternating single and double squares on the sidewalk. Then hop, skip and jump!

Attract birds Use needle and thread to string o-shaped cereal and popcorn into a garland. Decorate a tree and watch feathered friends flock to your yard.

Paint your toenails Grab some polish and head out to the porch. Slide a tissue between each toe to keep them separated and paint away.

Pick wildflowers Pluck dandelions, honeysuckle -- whatever you can find and put them in a glass of water.

Read a book Curl up on the recliner, porch swing or lawn chair, and take in a good story.

Have a dance-off Crank up the music and get your groove on!

Wash the car Break out the hose, a bucket, some mild soap and a sponge, and watch your parents’ jaws drop.

Play cards Challenge someone to a game of rummy or just play solitaire.

Sing your heart out! Belt out your favorite tune in the shower, in the rain or into a hairbrush. Loud!

Sure, most celebrities have a sense of style. But most also have a stylist, who pieces together fabulous outfits for them. Here’s how to get the designer looks for less!

True Jackson, VP -- Nickelodeon
Keke Palmer plays 15-year-old True, whose tuned-in fashion sense lands her a top job at designer empire Mad Style. Being in the fashion biz means walking the line between snazzy and professional attire. True often goes for button-down shirts with a twist, such as ruffles or embellishments, along with a pencil skirt and a wide belt. Or maybe she’ll opt for a conservative dress and layer a tank underneath for a pop of color, plus add a funky jacket on top to give it that edge.

Get the look! Shop discount chains for dress shirts, skirts, belts, dresses, tanks and jackets for a fraction of the price of department store designer duds.

The City -- MTV
Whitney Port moved from Los Angeles (The Hills) to New York when she got her own reality show -- and a bit of a culture shock. But she’s breathing fresh air into the NY fashion scene, where it seems everything goes back to basic black. With her soft fabrics and color-splashed prints, Whitney brings a California girl vibe to the office, where she works for legendary designer Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF).

Get the look! The DVF fashion line has that L.A.-inspired influence but it’s pricey. Pick up similar pieces in eye-popping prints at mid-price shops, such as H&M.

Wizards of Waverly Place -- Disney
Selena Gomez is wiz kid Alex Russo, the only sister in her magic fam. On the new Supernaturally Stylin’ Wizards DVD, catch three fashion-fueled episodes. In the first, Alex scores an internship at Fashion Fatale magazine. In an art-imitates-life scene, an editor at the mag takes credit for Alex’s fashionista vision, eerily similar to an incident on The City in which co-worker Olivia takes full props from higher-ups for a magazine cover ensemble Whitney put together. “I pulled that look!” Olivia fibs.

Get the look! To get into the girl-wizard groove, have these basics in your closet: denim skirt, skinny jeans, knit baby doll tops, long-sleeve tees, striped cardigan, high-top sneaks. Mix and match, then hit the accessories store for leggings, chunky jewelry, fingerless gloves, woven caps and a studded belt.

iCarly -- Nickelodeon
Miranda Cosgrove is a practical dresser, as is her character, Carly Shay. “Her clothes can be worn anywhere…from school to the Groovey Smoothie, to the Web show, to detention, to the mall,” says the show’s stylist, Kris Dangl. “Carly is no-nonsense, but she maintains a femininity. Miranda looks best in saturated jewel tones, like magenta, purple, jade, burgundy and cobalt blue. Use colors near your face, and cut it with ‘boyfriend’ T-shirts in white, grey, navy and black. Thermals and classic gray hoodies are great, too.”

Get the look Kris likes these wardrobe basics: skinny and boot-cut jeans, Converse sneakers, leather boots, ballet flats and a classic trench coat in navy or khaki. “It’s always cool to pull in a little tomboy with your pretty florals and colorful stuff,” she says. “I recommend getting some fabric paints and making your own designs on hoodies. A boy’s blazer is cool, too. I also suggest having navy, gray and black leggings to ground out colorful flouncy skirts.”

Is your bedroom a disaster area? Or just a tad cluttered? Either way, you’ll feel tons better once it’s tidied up. Crank up the music to get yourself pumped!

In the Trash
OK, first the obvious: empty soda cans, wads of tissue, half-eaten, petrified peanut-butter sandwiches -- in the garbage. Next, carry all dishes, silverware and cups to the kitchen sink. Then chuck dirty clothes in a hamper or laundry basket.

Brace yourself: Here comes the hard part. Time to say buh-bye to stuff you no longer use. Blow a farewell kiss to the pile of faded polka dot headbands you haven’t worn since pre-K. That cheap bracelet with the broken clasp? The cluster of dried-up markers? Your Dora the Explorer poster? Kiss, kiss, kiss.

If you have things in decent condition that you’ve outgrown, put them in a box for donation. Uh-oh, getting sentimental? Read on.…

What to Stash
You can’t squeeze into that teeny, tiny T-shirt from your first year at day camp, but it just holds so many memories and you don’t want to part with it….Get a box or bin to store items to which you have an emotional attachment and pack ’em away in a closet.

As for all your belongings that you currently use, two words: Get organized. The best way to attack it is to put similar items together. Group stuffed animals into one corner. Put all books on a shelf. Line your shoes along the closet floor. Toss hair accessories into a basket.…you get the picture.

In a Flash
Almost done, hang in there. Grab a rag and give a good swipe to all exposed dusty surfaces -- the top of a dresser, your desk, the bedside table. Then get the vacuum cleaner and give your floor a clean sweep. (Yes, your parents might pass out when they hear it whir, so be prepared.)

And we saved the best for last: Make your bed by smoothing out the sheets, pulling up the comforter and fluffing your pillows. Whew! Tired yet? So fall back onto your mattress and crash!