Viewpoint: How is the recession affecting you?

Bermudians are tightening their belts amid fears surrounding the recession – but most say it’s yet to hit them hard personally, reports Raymond Hainey.

Sandra Ogden, 70, Retired nurse

‘It hasn’t affected me and my husband much — we’re retired and have an income. It’s worse for people who are still working. But the price of things has gone up — I do have a moan about that occasionally, but that’s about it.’

Stephen Robertson, 20, Electrician

‘I was laid off, so I definitely am spending less and saving a little bit more. You do learn to manage with what you need. I’m fine — the majority of people are managing, but there are some who feel it worse than others.’

Desiree Riley, 20, Store assistant

‘The store hasn’t been affected — it’s doing pretty well. I’m still spending as much as I did. The recession hasn’t really affected me so much. Customers do have a budget and they’re sticking to it — but not all of them.’

Roger Moniz, 23, Law student

‘The recession has certainly affected students coming home for the summer. Firms aren’t hiring as many students as they did in the past. I came back from England and got a job — if I hadn’t it would have been more difficult.’

Dave Roberts, 57, Optical lab technician 

‘People are trying to cut down — but sometimes expenditure is unavoidable. I think more about what I spend than I used to. People might be trying to spend less, but everybody’s got to eat.’

Lianne Pitcher, 41, Sales manager

‘I used to go out and buy pretty much what I wanted. Now I’m on a strict budget. It’s hard because I have children in high school. I go out much less, too and spend holidays on island. But I’m happy I’ve got a job – a lot of people don’t.’

Special report: Bermuda in recession

• Slump sparks health fears
• Threatened with jail for childbirth bill
• 'We must look to the future'
• Viewpoint: How is the recession affecting you?
• A financial mess of our own making?
• The good news - help is at hand
• 'Green' jobs are seen as source of future growth
• Turning passion into profit
• We must grasp new realities to recover from this slump