Looking after your personal finance situation and getting it in order is probably the most important aspect of surviving a recession. Each one of your financial pots plays a big part in how much money you have left in your pocket after payday. So you need to be aware that when it comes to loans, mortgages, credit cards or savings, if you are not getting the best deal - you will lose out.

Unfortunately, the days when happy shoppers went from store to store to spend their money are over. As the recession sets in, lenders are reluctant to lend money and keeping hold of their cash as well as being very choosy who they lend to.

So what steps do you need to take to win in a recession and keep your head above water? Closer scrutiny and stricter criteria make it important than ever the tread with care when looking for the best money deal together with an understanding of what it is you are buying. You could be moving your savings to a better account that is more appropriate for your own personal circumstances that may pay a better interest rate for example. Look at your mortgage and shop around for a better deal. You may even have to consider putting your credit card into a block of ice to prevent unnecessary spending.

When looking for your first home, save up as much money as possible. Lenders much prefer their buyers to have a larger deposit as they want to lend to responsible borrows who pose as little risk as possible. The bank will see the fact that you have saved the money as proof of this. Lenders also feel that if the borrower has a stake in the property too that they will be less likely to default on the part of the home they have a mortgage against.