When Mary Hamp first decided to meet with a psychic, it was for insight into her impending divorce. But then she lost her job, and her questions changed.

"I ask her, 'Do I need to get some more education?' or 'Should I look out of state?' " said Hamp, 45, of Plymouth, Mich..

For her, it's sort of like therapy, but without the touchy-feely "how does that make you feel?" aspect.

These days, it seems even the realm of the supernatural is affected by the crippling economy. Psychics — for lack of a better term — say that the typical questions about love and loss have been replaced by the need for more earthly, fiscal advice.

"We have relationship questions in good economic times," said Ray Fraser, who said he has been a spiritual medium for 33 years. "But when people are wondering, 'Will I have a place to live?' well, that's more important."

Fraser, 63, owner of Mystiques-West in Westland, Mich., said the questions these days are: How much should I invest into my 401(k)? Should I try to sell my house? Should I retire now or put it off another year?

Reyna Long — a self-described psychic, channel and medium — said the questions really are about more than money.

"When everything is going along well, people fall into their little patterns of comfort and they don't want to make change," said Long, 58, who does readings from her Berkley, Mich., home. "But when things are difficult, it causes them to ask questions."

That's when the introspective "who am I" questions begin, she said. "If they lived a life of real consumerism, they end up asking, 'Did I really need this?' " she said. "You start examining why you are where you are."

David Krueger, 35, of Royal Oak, Mich., has gone both the psychic and financial adviser routes. The latter, he said, is only useful when it comes to nuts-and-bolts economics.

He laughed: "If they had any expertise or could actually help, believe me, I'd be all over that."

Long, who also offers readings at www.onevoicepsychicservices.com, said she sees an upside to the trying times. People are more open to change, she said.

"I'm seeing really exciting things with people opening up," she said. "People are starting to see new possibilities."