How to Financially Prepare for a Recession

Posted on Saturday 01 September 2018


Nobody likes to think about recessions and their economic impacts on lives and finances. Nevertheless, many people have lived through and experienced the plights of recessions. Although they take a toll on virtually everyone, members of society who are most vulnerable and least prepared tend to suffer on considerably higher levels.

This is what makes financial preparation absolutely paramount. Failure to plan is ultimately a plan to fail. However, the following steps will allow people to not only prepare for a recession but also protect the businesses and funds which they have garnered over the years.

Consistently Save Money

As stated by Money Talks News, constantly putting aside money always makes a big difference, but it especially comes in handy during a recession. This is why many people build emergency funds in preparation for unprecedented times. Financial advisors currently recommend that people should put aside at least six months to one year's worth of living expenses. This is something that a surprisingly high percentage of people fail to do.

Often, many people tend to believe that a crisis won't befall them. This might be good for the sake of embracing positivity. However, realistic calculations suggest that everyone should prepare for rainy days. This accounts for why people strive to have passive sources of income to improve their savings. People are starting to utilize different digital platforms to make money including Instagram, freelancer websites, and more.

Consistently saving a certain percentage of funds from each paycheck makes a difference. Saving money prior to a recession can truly determine the difference between survival and homelessness. Of course, if you need help making rent, My Canada Payday can help you out with an online payday loan.

Look Into the Gig Economy

There are many opportunities that exist within the gig economy. Driving for Lyft/Uber, renting out rooms on Airbnb, content writing, graphic design work, and more are all opportunities that people can and should take advantage of. You'll find this worthy of consideration especially if you're financially preparing for college and looking to commercialize your skills.

Not only does this allow for individuals to create an additional revenue stream, but also allows you to have more funds to save and equally pay bills. Every person will find that money and savings are their greatest economical allies, especially in the face of a pending recession.

Pay off Any Incurred Debts

Another important thing to do in preparation for a recession is to pay off debts. No matter the state of the economy, credit card companies will continue to charge interest for unpaid balances. Over time, this can truly chip away at your income. Besides, any money which goes towards interest is lost income which could have otherwise gone towards savings or bills. It's also worth noting that paying interest does not decrease one's debt, but merely lessens the fees for not paying one's debt on time. Money is an incredibly valuable resource; it becomes infinitely more valuable during times when the economy is experiencing a recession. For this reason, everyone should be actively working to become debt-free.

Final Thoughts

Ideally, people should be saving money, creating additional revenue streams, and paying off debts regardless of whether or not a recession lies in the near future. Being in the strongest financial state is always the best way to set oneself up for success. While economic recessions might prompt stronger precautions, you can never go wrong when you are in good financial health.