Imo, I think the first thing you want to do is stop looking at the news, that just depress you and puts more fear into people, i try to not think of it as a recession, but as just going back to the way things were before the boom.. thats the reason it was called a boom, cause it comes and has to go.
I have 2 kids, and a new house that i moved into in may 08, one girl 4 and a little boy who was born in august who unfortunetly was born with downesyndrom but fortunetly stayed with us and didnt leave us at birth, i spent over 3wks in hospitals, 2 of which were in Crumlin with him, and beleive me, if you want to feel lucky and realise that your worries are petty, take a walk in through that hospital and have a look at the people you meet, i never walked down it but i met someone worse off than the last person i'd met.
If you can ignore the scare mongering and keep your head down, and stick to doing the best you can do, like 99% of us you will be fine, but if you like the stupid 1% that dont know when a good time is over and how to just get along, then you will just end up in trouble.
Another good survival trait is to be willing to do anything if needs be, whether its painting to packing shelves to cleaning windows, money is money.. i sometimes think the people that spent 5 yrs in college are worst affected, the only know one are, compared to guy that went to work after school, take me for example, my list includes, 1 worked in garage.. 2.worked as trainee manager with supervalue..3.tyre fitter...4.barman...5 tractor driver..6 .dump truck digger driver on roads..7.hedgecutter driver...8. and my last job for past 6yrs aluminium factory worker.. i am willing to do anything and try anything new.. and i will survive this so called recession and any recession as best i can, and i will not listen to the horror stories and let it get me or my family down. Try pick out a few good points, my major pick me up is the fact my mortage has dropped by so much, and if worst come to worse the banks have no point in taking your house, who will buy it??? Realize wat you have buddy and dont worry about what you could loose