When a recession hits, many people think that they are safe– they are going to feel the effects of the recession because that only happens to other people. Well, even if you think that you won’t be affected by the down economy, it is still a good idea to prepare for the future and be ready just in case something happens. You never know when a company will be bought out, the bread winning of the family will get sick, or a tragedy will hit that makes your financial picture very bleak.The first thing that you need to do is to take an honest look at your job, and then prepare yourself just in case you were to be laid off. Lay offs are happening in many different industries right now, so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself just in case you end up being one of those people. Put your resume together so that it is ready to do just in case, and it’s always a good idea to keep your ear to the pavement for other jobs in your field of expertise. These steps are helping you to be proactive in the event that you find yourself without a job.Another thing to do during a recession is to take a look at your personal finances in order to determine your spending habits. Cut back on unnecessary expenses and write out a budget– and stick to your budget. If you can, save a little bit in the bank so that you have a cushion to fall back on if you find yourself without income.The third step to managing your personal finances during a recession is to have a plan in place ahead of time. Talk with your family to explore options and consider what you would do if you found yourself in a tight financial position.The most important part of dealing with a recession is to understand that you still need to enjoy life even if the finances are tight. Make a budget and stick to it, but make sure that you have some extra spending money to go do the things that you enjoy.