Surviving the Recession: Your stories and tips

nzherald.co.nz has travelled from Warkworth in the north to Dunedin in the south to learn how people are coping with the recession.

You can watch the video interviews over the next fortnight in our special online feature at nzherald.co.nz/go/surviving09

We also want to hear from you.
Tell us how you are surviving
Or send us your own video stories

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The signs of an economy improving may be starting – but many of us are still watching our spending and remain nervous about how we will be affected in the months ahead.

In our travels around the country, we found typical Kiwi resilience.

There was, among small business owners especially, the kind of determination to tough it out that would make this country's hardy early pioneers proud.

Sports retailer Larry Dagg summed up how your attitude may determine how well you survive: "The strong get stronger and the weak get weaker. That's just the way it is, isn't it? It's unfortunate."

Some see it as a correction that was needed to curb consumer spending habits and spending beyond our needs. "It was too easy to get money, too easy to buy houses," said boat builder Lowie Bos.

Most people we have spoken to have trimmed their outgoings and even when they do cruise around the shops, they have curbed unnecessary spending.

But despite a general resignation to the fact things have had to change, some people are finding it a struggle.

We're interested in your stories and your survival tips.

You can send us your videos here, or use the Your Views bubble above to send us your survival tips.