The economic downturn has people asking themselves some basic questions, said Annetta Jones, an educator with the Purdue Cooperative Extension

"Do they really need another item for their wardrobe or do they need to put gas in the car so they can get to work." is one of them, said Jones, who has been dispensing money management advice in her 20 years with the Consumer and Family Sciences Division.

In an economic downturn, "people are interested in how to make their money go as far as it has always gone," Jones said. "They're making a few changes, evaluating a little closer what their needs are."

People are looking for ways to stretch their food dollars, Jones said.

"They're spending more time planning," she said.

Impulsive decisions like going to the drive-through rather than planning for dinner, can be costly. And by taking time to plan meals, consumers can also plan how they'll use the money they've saved, she said.

Jones recommends mapping out shopping trips in advance, to use the least amount of gasoline.

"And pick something up for your neighbor, " she said, "so you're not duplicating efforts."

Simple things like turning off lights, not running the dryer past the time clothes are dry and washing full loads of dishes and laundry all make a difference, Jones sad.

A written budget makes some consumers see the light.

"There's that 'a-ha' moment: I've spent all this money and what do I really have to show for it," she said. "They really see how much those little impulse buys add up."