Many of us changed our actions during the recession.  The country is officially out of recession now but the economy is in a bit of a state.  We want to know whether your life has completely returned to ‘normal’ or whether some of your behavioural changes have carried through post-recession?

Have you, for example, kicked that daily latte fix or given up cigarettes for good?  Tell us how it is for you.

The only way the recession is affecting my life, is that I am desperately looking for a job.  I am currently employed, but its just as hard for the employed to find a job as it is for the unemployed, I feel.  I hope something comes up eventually, and the best of luck to everyone else who is in the same or similar situation!

has not really affected me but i am trying to change jobs ad it is hard finding one.

It hasn’t affected me so far but I worry about the future. The national deficit is so big and cuts will be needed, plus the new government is primarily a Conservative one and they prefer, in their heart of hearts, for money to be concentrated in the hands of fewer.

I think we needed a recession to prove to everyone that borrowing money was becoming just too easy. I only hope that people will learn from their mistakes, not only the banks but individuals too. I’ve never spent money I don’t have and have never felt secure enough in any job to get a mortgage just in case I couldn’t pay the money back yet some of those people who have been irresponsible are getting help with mortgage payments and are being allowed to be declared bankrupt. It seems a sad state of affairs when those people who save are penalised for those who fritter money away. Get children learning more about money management and back to some good old fashioned values. Controversial comments which no doubt will upset some, apologies in advance

PhelanK - 20 May 2010 10:43 PM

I think we needed a recession to prove to everyone that borrowing money was becoming just too easy. I only hope that people will learn from their mistakes, not only the banks but individuals too. I’ve never spent money I don’t have and have never felt secure enough in any job to get a mortgage just in case I couldn’t pay the money back yet some of those people who have been irresponsible are getting help with mortgage payments and are being allowed to be declared bankrupt. It seems a sad state of affairs when those people who save are penalised for those who fritter money away. Get children learning more about money management and back to some good old fashioned values. Controversial comments which no doubt will upset some, apologies in advance

I totally agree - with the exception of the mortgage part. I do have a mortgage and I unfortunately have a student loan - but those are things that without borrowing I could never afford and which I believe have been a necessity (I had to get a degree to pursue the career I want and I believe renting is dead money). However, I wouldn’t be getting loans for holidays, fancy gadgets, clothes, nights out and those materialistic kind of things that I believe (I think like you) you shouldn’t borrow money for. If you can’t afford it it’s tough! People should cut their cloth according to their means. This country has too much of an easy going attitude towards borrowing which I think (as well as banks and the government) also contributed to the recession and I agree that I hope it’s helped people to learn from their mistakes. But to say that people who are getting help with mortgage payments have been irresponsible is a bit of broad statement which I don’t really agree with.

The recession didn’t really affect me - I was skint before it, I was skint throughout it and I am skint at the end of it. I am lucky in that I do have a good job but the cost of living is atrocious. I am talking here about needs not wants. I haven’t bought a CD/DVD in over 10 years, only buy clothes when they wear out and only eat out once a month. My money is spent on bills, mortgage and food - all outgoinmgs are cut to the bone. I don’t think that is a frivolous way of living but each month is a struggle just to get by.

Unfortunately, things can only get worse what with the massive debt this country has and the attitude people have to it. It seems no-one is willing to take the pain even though they have experienced all of the gain. There are going to be some bloody noses out there when the financial crisis really hits but no-one is willing to do their part. It is still ‘me, me, me’ and ‘why should I have to suffer’. Sorry, but it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. I feel sorry for the government - they are going to be labelled the ‘nasty party’ again even though none of this situation is their fault and they are going to try to do their best to alleviate the situation (and no, I am not a Tory voter).