These are hard times financially. And it's not just the nine-to-fivers that are being hit by the recession... no, mega-rich celebrity rap stars aren't having it easy either.

Apparently, 50 Cent (or Fiddy, as we prefer) has had to cut his spending just like the rest of us thanks to the financial downturn.

The rapper (rumoured to be worth in the region of £270 million) confessed that he had already lost big wads of cash thanks to the recession.

He told the Daily Star: "The credit crunch has hit rap. 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."

Indeed, it's difficult to imagine what that kind of hardship feels like.

But he's a fighter is Fiddy, and he's not going to let a pesky global financial crisis get him down.

"If you don't lose money in this recession it means you didn't have enough to start off with. Sure, I lost a few million but that's because I have so much," he explains.

"This is a time that will sort the strong from the weak. Any businessman who wants a piece of the future should learn from me."

It's nice to know he hasn't lost touch with his roots.

He added: "Obama is great – if he wants me as his financial adviser, that would be cool."

We wouldn't be expecting a phone call any time soon if we were you.

It seems no matter how good things are, celebrities can always find something to whinge about...