I know what you mean.

I have a friend who, during the recent economic downturn, lost a very well-paying job. She was in her mid-twenties. She immediately cancelled plans she had made based on her former salary, stopped indulging in at least one expensive hobby that I know of, and sold her car and started taking public transit.

I was so proud of her! She kept up spending in the areas that she needed for her job interviews (professional clothes, computer access, contacts), but I have known people much older than her who do not realize the steps they need to take in that situation until they are in trouble.