White also said Goodwill sees an increase in business when gas prices jump higher.

That’s the same time that the South Hy-Vee Manager Chris Stoos said he sees an increase in sales.

Hy-Vee, along with some other retailers, offers discounts on gas.

“We have a daily discount, but people can also get additional cents of each gallon of gas by the amount they spend in the store,” he said.

As far as groceries go, few changes have been seen, Stoos said.

“The biggest change I have seen is people coming in with lists. People are not going up and down the aisles picking up things like before. People seem to be buying smarter,” he said.

That’s what Ottumwan Jerry Burk has done.

“I watch the sale ads religiously and it helps me plan out a weekly budget,” he said.

Burk said he has a limited income and must watch how much he spends. He writes out a grocery list of what he needs, plans a route for his errands and cut costs any way he is able to.

“People just need to buy smaller quantities and make sure nothing goes to waste,” he said.

Fellow Ottumwan Darlene Annis said she tries to budget and is thrifty when she shops, regardless of the current economy.

“We shop here for a little bit of everything. I even got this coat here,” she said, grabbing the collar of her fleece jacket, while at Goodwill.

Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.