Stuart Pearce admits he would be relying on the generosity of his chairman to strengthen his Manchester City squad in January.
After leading City into the top 10 in the Premiership over the holiday season, Pearce is keen to maintain the upward momentum.
He has hinted at bringing in new signings during the transfer window, but acknowledges he has little in the way of a kitty.
Pearce concedes he would need John Wardle to dip into his own fortune to bankroll any major recruits and believes the City chairman has already invested heavily in the team.
"There is no money sloshing around the accounts, so I don't imagine three successive league wins will have any bearing on the money I get from the chairman," said Pearce.
"Any finance I do get will be coming straight out of the chairman's pocket again and obviously, with the input he has had already, there will not be a great deal coming to me.
"But there are no tricks and no hidden money.
"We have said that from day one."
Aside from selling the likes of the in-demand Micah Richards and Joey Barton to raise funds, Pearce will have turn to the loan market to add to his squad.