Learning lessons in the recession

|PIC1|So, we’re six months into recession and all the debate is about who’s to blame, how long will it last and how bad can it get.

But everyone’s been touched by the economic climate in a different way. With half a year of downturn under our belts, how was it for you?

Latest research suggests that there are three different ways Mr Average will answer that question. Where do you come in the mix?

You might be part of the one third of people that’s not really affected by recession. You’ve paid off your mortgage or are earning enough not to worry about it. ‘Crisis, what crisis?’ All this talk about redundancy, pay freezes and the falling value of savings goes right over your head.

Or you might be in the one third of people who are cutting back on spending. Perhaps you’re concerned about losing your job or you’ve maxed out your credit card. It’s a matter of battening down the hatches and waiting for a better day. Then you’ll be back spending again when life returns to normal.

But you might be in the final third of people where this recession is changing your life. Rather than cutting back you feel like cutting your throat. For you, this recession is not just a bump in the road, it’s a car crash. You may have been shocked at how much you’ve been living on credit and will never again live beyond your means.

If you’ve got it made then I’m happy for you. But you’re missing out on one of the few upsides of the recession – the way it’s making us think about money. Those who are battening down the hatches will go back to their old lifestyle as soon as they can.

The group I’m most interested in are those of us who’ve made lasting changes to the way we go from day to day.

Having tried living on less we’ve discovered that it’s not that bad after all. Life’s somehow easier and less cluttered. For us, ‘less is more’ as we discover the freedom of simplicity. This includes what we eat, how busy and stressed we get and how many clothes we have in the wardrobe.

It’s only when we are forced to cut back that we discover the reality of the old Quaker hymn – ‘tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free’. Here’s the message of the recession for Mr Averages everywhere – clear out the wardrobe, de-clutter the house, cut down on busyness and live life more simply.

James Catford is Chief Executive of Bible Society. E-mail him at james.catford@biblesociety.org.uk