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Prevention. According to personal experience/knowledge, there are some common layman economy signals that you can watch for.. and hopefully start acting before you end up in the rut, be it resisting to buy that Dodge/Hummer, hanging onto your job with dear life etc.

1. If Oil doubled (or beyond) in price in the last 12 months or so - when filling the tank becomes increasing painful.

2. Every freakin' industry seems to be at capacity - remember the last time you called up your supplier and they said, "oh can't change your order, otherwise you may have to get in the que and wait another 6 months", WTH, and you feel like money is starting to become a commodity.

3. Even your stupid-pain-in-the-ass colleague managed to find a better paying job than you, big time!

4. Bank Interest is sky rocketing, even so, people are still borrowing away like no tomorrow and suddenly your home starts to look very expensive (ref. to point 2, as if money is becoming a commodity)

But as always. I believe in living diligently regardless, because you never know what may hit you tomorrow.