That is why Martha Wunderli of the nonprofit advocacy group Utah Issues tells families whom she counsels to avoid - if they can - spending more than one-third of their incomes on housing.

"In Utah, many families spend 40 percent to 50 percent - or more - of their income on housing each month," she said. "It's crazy. It doesn't leave a whole lot for anything else."

Other money-saving tips from consumer advocates in Utah:

l Buy used clothes.

"The savings can be 90 percent or more," said Linda Hilton, who works for Crossroads Urban Center, a low-income advocacy group that counsels low-income families on financial management.

"When some people think 'used,' they think lime green polyester stretch pants. But I routinely find nice, new and barely used stuff (at thrift stores). I have bought some clothes second-hand for only a few dollars that still have the tags on them."

l Watch that food bill.

Consumer advocate Claire Geddes, a lobbyist specializing in utility matters, says consumers should focus their food budget on loss leaders - items grocery stores advertise each week that are sold near or below cost to attract customers.

"If cereal goes on sale, I will buy eight or nine boxes," she said. "The absolutely best way to save money is to wait until things are on sale and buy a lot of them."

She said many families make the mistake of doing most or all of their grocery shopping at one store. Another mistake: Believing warehouse clubs offer the best bargains.

"They seem like they are cheap," she said. "But in many cases, it's cheaper to go to the grocery store and use coupons to buy things that are on sale."