Money advisers say 2009 is a great time to get back to basics like savings accounts and sticking to budgets.

While many people have cut spending already, financial experts said being even more frugal may will be a necessity for many families to get by.

"You have to look at your personal business budgets and find a way to pay yourself first as they say -- put it in the bank. Put that savings there for you so you have some cushion later," said Gilbert Ullom, a certified public accountant from Wheeling.

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Rich Lucas, of Main Street Bank, echoed the same message: this will be the year to save, save, save.

Lucas said he’s already noticed a trend within his company, as more customers move toward the basic savings account.

"Savings accounts kind of fell out of favor when the interest rates went way down a couple of years ago. But now, I think people are looking at it as safe," he said.

Lucas said people who don’t take the time to study bank and credit card statements, could be giving away cash that belongs to them.

"Look for fees that you’re getting hit with every month, be it a low-balance fee, a non-usage fee, an ATM usage fee," he said.

Both said this year won’t be a sudden financial improvement from 2008, and said the reality is it will still be tough for some families.

"Hopefully we’ve hit that bottom line with the market and hopefully now we’re gong to come back slowly," Ullom said.

Lucas said the biggest mistake people make when it comes to money is pulling out of their retirement accounts to put more cash in their pockets now.