Here in The Netherlands we're relatively lucky.
Although there are very tough austerity measures in the country (to get a deficit down to 2.7% in 2013, it was 4,5% in 2011) and the unemployment levels are at a record high (last month they were at 6.5%, the highest in 20 years).
Everything here is becoming more expensive, because of
* increases in taxes (monday from 19% to 21%)
* an increase in the yearly deductible of healthcare (2011: € 170; 2012: € 220; 2013: € 350)
* the cutting of commuting tax relief (per traveled km one could deduct a little amount)
Also other measures have been taken
* lots of cuts in subsidies for things like art, culture, nature, museums, etc.
* the halving of the army and navy
* A fine of €3000 a year for students that take longer to finish their study (eg. if there's 4 years for a study, and you take longer than 5 to finish it you need to pay that fine every years. On top of the fees).
* The increase of the pension age from 65 to 67, although many people feel this was long overdue anyway. It'll probably be increased even further.
Also there's a massive housing bubble, which is slowly deflating. The house prices are at the 2006 level, which means a completely stagnant market.
And it won't change as the tax relief for home loans will be decreased, probably. Both as an austerity measure as well as a measure to get e more healthy housing market in the long term. Ironically, this tax relief made the housing bubble in the Netherlands possible in the first place (the more you'd loan, the bigger the tax relief in absolute terms, so everybody was loaning to the max). The total debt (private and public) as percentage of GDP is twice that of Greece, for instance (344% vs 174%). But I digress.
But to be honest, I/we shouldn't be complaining. Yes, there's record unemployment and yes things are more expensive. But there are countries in Europe which are a lot worse off.
And although people are a bit more tight moneywise, and there are almost half a million people without a job, most people still go on holiday and still buy luxury items. Just a bit less than 'normal'.
So I think we should count ourselves lucky.
Personally, I've been on a temporary disability benefit for the past few years, so I haven't really noticed anything, but I want to get back to work next year and with the current unemployment figures it looks quite grim for me.
And my girlfriend wants to sell her house, but it's not working out, been waiting for almost three years.
To show how big the housing bubble is, it's the cheapest appartment in the block, €185k (down from €215k). It's a 55m^2 one-bedroom apartment.
For you Americans: $238k (down from $276k) for a 500 square foot apartment.
And even at these rock-bottom prices (we're the cheapest among 30-odd apartments), I, personally, still find the prices a bit insane.
But I'm no real-estate expert
And maybe in your country it's in comparison very cheap (or very expensive).
