How to Prepare for a Recession If You Are Already Struggling

The U.S. has weathered close to 50 recessions and recovered from each one so far. Learn how to prepare, even if you're already struggling with debt.

What is a recession? The specific rules are complex, but historically, the term "recession" describes when the gross domestic product (GDP) shrinks for at least six months. Gross domestic product is the value of everything we produce as a country. What you need to know is that recessions are generally bad because they lead to higher unemployment, slower business sales, and more financial stress for everyday consumers.

You can prepare for a recession, minimize the negative impacts on your finances, and come out in good shape. Let's learn more about those potential impacts and how to be ready for them.

What to Expect During a Recession

During a recession, the economy slows down. This means that many businesses earn less money, which could result in less hiring or even layoffs. Recessions typically include higher unemployment rates.

With less money to spend, families buy less. That adds even more stress to businesses, particularly small businesses that already have narrow profit margins. There's often an increase in the number of businesses that close during a recession.

Banks and creditors may respond to a slowed economy with stricter lending requirements. If interest rates go up, borrowing money becomes more expensive. This could make your current revolving debt—like credit card debt—harder to repay.

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Check if Your Finances Are Recession-Ready

Among the key challenges of a recession for most families are layoffs and cuts to work hours. To make your finances recession-ready, be prepared for less income.

Step one is to go over your finances with a fine-toothed comb. You need to have an accurate picture of your total financial situation. That includes your income, assets, debts, and expenses, including who you owe, how much your minimum payments are every month, and the interest rates on your debts.

Laying out all the details helps you discover where to shore up your financial foundation to better prepare for a recession.

Build a Budget to Prepare for a Recession

A budget shows you where your money goes each month. That makes it easier to find room to save or reduce debt before a recession affects your income.

Start by listing your fixed expenses, like rent or your mortgage, utilities, and insurance. Then list your variable expenses, like groceries, entertainment, and subscriptions. Compare the total to your monthly income to see where you stand.

Say your income is $4,000 a month and your expenses add up to $3,800. That's $200 you could redirect toward an emergency fund or high-interest debt. If your expenses are higher than your income, your budget shows you exactly where to start cutting back.

Revisit your budget every few months, since your income and expenses may change.

Reduce High-Interest Debt Before the Recession

Debt reduction is easier said than done, it's true. A plan to reduce high-interest debt before a recession hits may put you in a better position to weather a hit to your income, even if you only chip away at it. These strategies could help:

• Cut expenses. Every dollar you put toward your high-interest debt can help. Review all of your spending. For example, rate-shop your insurance and phone service, look for ways to decrease your energy bill, and use the library for free entertainment.

• Pay more than the minimum. Credit card minimum payments are designed to make debt drag out practically forever. You could pay down the balance much faster if you make more than the minimum payment every month. At the same time, avoid making new transactions. Log into your credit card account online and lock or freeze the card if that’s an option. You can always unlock it, but this could help you remember that you’re trying not to add new debt.

• Work with a credit counselor. Credit counseling could help you improve your financial education, build a budget, and create a debt payoff plan.

• Contact your creditors. In times of financial hardship, creditors may work with you to help you manage payments. This could include accommodations like a temporary pause in payments, a reduced interest rate, or fee waivers.

• Research whether you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you have a lot of unsecured debt that you can't afford to repay, Chapter 7 bankruptcy might help you get rid of it. You might qualify if you don’t have much income left over after you pay your essential expenses (the cutoff varies depending on where you live).

• Consider debt settlement. If you have a financial hardship and can’t afford to fully repay your debts, your creditors might be willing to accept less than you owe and forgive the rest. You can negotiate your own debts, or hire a professional debt settlement company.

Looking for debt relief in Las Vegas, NV or across the country? The first step is the most important one—learn more.

Build a Recession Emergency Fund

After getting a sense of your debt situation and how you might pay it down, focus on building your emergency fund. Experts recommend an emergency fund of at least three to six months' worth of expenses, but anything you set aside helps.

An emergency fund is just what it sounds like: a savings account just for emergencies. Your emergency fund should ideally live in a high-yield savings or money market account where you can access it quickly.

Add Recession-Proof Income Sources

Alright, so nothing is completely recession-proof. An economic downturn can impact any income source. However, adding extra sources of income can help lower the risk to your overall income level in a recession. Consider these ideas:

• Focus on jobs that provide services for basic needs. Even when times are tough, people need healthcare, communication, and utilities, home and lawn services, and other essentials.

• Freelance using skills. We all have something we're good at, so think about what skills you could turn into a side hustle for extra income. Now may also be a good time to learn new skills for in-demand roles to increase your options.

• Become a tutor. Any skill you can monetize you can also teach to others, usually for a profit. You can tutor in-person or online. Advertise your services on your own, or join a tutoring agency that finds clients for you.

• Find rental income. If you own a home and don't mind downsizing, you could potentially rent out your house and rent a cheaper home for yourself, coming out ahead. Even renting out your garage or a room in your home could provide a nice boost to your income every month.

Protect Your Career During a Recession

Your job is often your biggest source of income, so it's worth protecting as much as possible before a recession puts it at risk.

Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile current, even when you're not job hunting. List your recent accomplishments and skills while they're fresh, so you're ready to move quickly if you need to.

Stay in touch with your professional network. A quick check-in with a former coworker or manager helps keep the relationship active, and it's easier to reach out for help before you need it than after.

Consider learning a new skill that's in demand in your field. Many community colleges and online platforms offer low-cost courses you could complete around a full-time job.

How Do You Prepare for a Recession Before It Hits?

The best time to prepare for a recession is before it happens. A few habits could make a real difference:

• Review your finances at least once a year, even when the economy feels stable. Look at your income, expenses, debts, and savings so you know where you stand.

• Keep three to six months of expenses in an emergency fund, and add to it whenever you can.

• Reduce high-interest debt so more of your income is available if your situation changes.

• Diversify your income where you can, whether that means a side gig, a rental, or simply staying current on in-demand skills.

Revisit these habits regularly. A recession could happen with little warning, so these habits help you stay ready instead of starting from scratch when one hits.

Find Healthy Ways to Manage Recession Fears

One symptom of a recession that's hard to prepare for is the way it makes us feel. Recessions are often associated with a general feeling of economic unease and uncertainty about your financial future.

There are ways to make recession and debt stress easier to manage:

Write it out. Get your finances organized, and make a plan. Put that plan into writing, and re-read it when you're anxious. Having an action plan can do a lot to help you deal with uncertainty.

Talk about it. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member to discuss your fears. You can also search for an online or local support group dedicated to debt stress and debt management.

Exercise. It may sound strange as financial advice, but regular exercise is excellent for relieving debt and financial stress, and can also help with insomnia.

Seek help. You don't have to do this on your own. You have the resources to make it through whatever comes your way.

Avoid quick money moves. Big financial decisions made out of fear, like pulling money from a retirement account early or taking out new high-interest debt, could create bigger problems later. Give yourself time to think before you act.