Some families in Bermuda are literally struggling to feed their children or put gas in their cars. The global economic recession has affected everyone, and though Bermuda is faring better than some nations, many families here are finding it difficult to survive during these dire economic times.

Martha Dismont, executive director and founder of The Family Centre, has some advice that families can utilise to help get them through the financial turmoil.

The Family Centre was created in 1990 and was known then as The Learning Centre. They offered tutorial services because they saw there were children in the education system who needed some extra help with their studies.

"It evolved into a more clinical programme when we discovered a lot of children who were having education problems were having problems at home," says Ms Dismont. "We switched focus in 1995 to provide clients with a more clinically based service. We felt it was important to begin working with younger kids to be more preventive and catch behavioural and education problems early. We worked with primary age children and their families and we are now starting to work with adolescent children."

To enter into the programme families have to commit to a lifestyle change. The programme doesn't accept children unless their parent or primary caregiver enters the programme with them to get to the core of what is going on.

"Today's programme has a service that provides counselling to the individual and the family," says Ms Dismont. "We do case work which we call family support. We believe the child is our core client. Around the child is the family and around the family is the systems and community. Each one of those has an impact on the child."

As the budget crunch becomes a stark reality for some Ms Dismont says: "I believe as we go through this there are lessons in it for all of us. We need to think about how materialistic Bermuda has become. We need to think about the quality of life and relationships we foster.

"I encourage people to think about what you are teaching your child with regards to wanting things, work ethic, values and accepting responsibility. Look at quality of life from a values perspective. Spend time with your children."

Some parents have to work two and three jobs just to put food on the table and Ms Dismont asks people to call upon the resources available to get help.

"If you need help, get help," she says. "There are lots of resources available for people. Stop for a moment and take assessment of how we are focused on material things. Ask what quality of life you want for your child. It's want versus need. Ask yourself what do I really need to have versus what I want. This recession gives us an opportunity to reassess our values."

The Family Centre is a resource families can use to help them. They are there to help people find supports that aren't readily available to them.

"Not many people will take you in if you just have basic needs, but we do," says Ms Dismont. "The key to families getting through these times is knowing what their needs are, and then finding the services and support they need. People don't have the quality of relationships they need to have on this Island. Enjoy the quality of life and spend time with your family. Giving children a good experience they can share with you is essential."

Last year The Family Centre put together a brochure along with Capital G that offered some great money management tips for people.

"We have a partnership with Capital G where they support some of our activities. We put the brochure together to help families manage in these trying economic times.

"Think about what you are buying. The little things and expenditures all add up. Pay using cash instead of credit card. Live within your means. Don't build up debt. Focus on the things that are most important. Keep healthy habits in place and don't slip back into bad ones.

"Find the bargains and compare prices. Buy in bulk to save money at bulk sale stores such as Price Rite and Hunt's. Pay attention to spending money on things you don't need. Whenever possible avoid thinking of every challenge your family faces as a disaster. Focus on the opportunities to build new strength in coming together."

Other money saving tips in the brochure include avoid eating out and spending money on take out. Making food at home and bringing it with you can save a lot of money. If one spends six dollars a day on coffee, at the end of the work week that is 30 dollars you could have saved. Items such as cigarettes are not only deadly for your health they are also deadly for your budget. Set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it. Obtain a savings account and try to put $100 in a week. At five percent interest after 25 years a person will save $258,467.

Try to do your grocery shopping on Wednesday when a number of grocery stores offer a five percent discount. Over the course of a year that will save a family a lot of money. Also: plan your meals ahead of time so you know exactly what to buy at the grocery store. Items such as sodas and flavoured waters are not only bad for your health because of all the sugar in them, they are bad for your budget and a person can save a small fortune by drinking filtered water from their own water tanks at home which nature has freely provided.

To help keep the electricity bill down unplug your appliances when not in use. Even though you turn the power off on TV's, computers and stereos there is still a power draw which is quite considerable. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. The sun is free, the dryer is not.

"Straighten out your priorities," says Ms Dismont. "When families stop and assess their lifestyles and what they are doing and involve their children they are better off. It has to be about the quality of life and the quality of relationships. What do they hold as values when it comes to families? If they think about that it will dictate their experiences. Let them have the opportunity to succeed. Give children positive experiences that they can think about and learn from. If we can do that things will change for the better."