Bear markets, bank bailouts, recession, deflation and rising unemployment. The economic storm clouds have Canadians feeling less confident about the economy than they have in a generation.

No matter what stage we are at in our lives, most of us are keen to know the right thing to do with whatever money we can manage to hang on to.

What should you be focusing on if you've just joined the labour force and are beginning to make your way in uncertain economic times? What if you're a little older and you do have some extra cash? Do you get back into the stock market or wrestle your debt to the ground?

We've assembled a panel of financial advisers to give their takes on what people in different stages of life should be thinking about. They are:

• Sandra Foster, a Toronto-based adviser and consultant and bestselling author of You Can't Take It With You, Who's Minding Your Money?, Make the Most of What You've Got, Buying and Selling a Book of Business and The Estate Planning Workbook.
• John Kason, a B.C.-based certified financial planner with Global Securities. He has been working in the financial services sector for the past 10 years. He has provided his clients and the business community with ongoing consulting on conservative investment strategies, cash-flow management, business planning, marketing, sales, and venture capital financing.
• Judith Cane, a 17-year veteran of the financial services industry. Her Eastern Ontario-based Antara Financial Group is built on establishing long-term client relationships with customized financial planning. It's also one of the only financial services firms in the area that specializes in servicing the needs of women.

Each adviser has provided opinions on what you should be thinking about if you're:

• Taking stock when you're in your 20s.
• Taking stock when you're in your 30s.
• Taking stock when you're in your 40s.
• Taking stock when you're in your 50s.
• Taking stock when you're in your 60s.