Today I want to delve on how to prepare for a recession.
A recession is a period of economic slump during which unemployment rises and commerce and industrial activity declines.
While the definition of a recession varies, it usually refers to six or more months of economic contraction.
This indicates that a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen for two consecutive quarters, indicating sluggish or negative economic growth.
Because a recession can put a strain on your finances, it’s critical to be prepared for downturns in the economy.
In fact, whether or not you expect a recession, it’s best to keep your finances in good shape. You won’t have to react if the economy falls into a slump this way. This is the best example on how to prepare for a recession; being ready all the time.
What Occurs During a Recession?
In most cases, unemployment grows while hiring slows. Wages may also stay the same or even fall.
Companies may declare mass layoffs, as has already happened at certain businesses that have been heavily hit by the coronavirus outbreak’s shutdowns.
Consumer spending falls when people have less money to spend, and even those who are still employed may be concerned about their job security.
As the government adopts measures to promote the economy and assist those in need, the government’s debt tends to climb.
Stocks and other assets can depreciate in value as investors panic sell or sell investments for cash, and demand for particular assets falls.
When people lose their jobs or fear losing their jobs in the near future, they are less likely to buy a new home or car.
Those patterns will shift when the economy improves.
How to Prepare for a Recession
1. Reduce Your Spending/Expenses
Prior to a recession, it’s vital to cut back on wasteful spending.
The first advantage of this strategy is that it will assist you in saving the additional funds required to supplement your reserves.
Getting rid of unnecessary costs will help you get back on a more sustainable financial footing if your income unexpectedly drops.
This can involve things like canceling all superfluous subscriptions and cutting back on television in favor of streaming.
The truth is that we have a lot of small daily expenses that we don’t notice and that quickly pile up.
This can include things like eating out for lunch rather than bringing your own, as well as that $5 cup of coffee for an afternoon boost.
Keep in mind that it is preferable to decrease costs while you have the option rather than when you are forced to by your financial condition.
I think you can see how this is a favorable example of how to prepare for a recession.
Read: How to Stop Spending Money
2. Pay Off Your Debts
Paying off debts can be difficult, especially when finances are limited. It can, nevertheless, play a significant role in protecting your financial future.
Paying little amounts at a time is one of the simplest methods to get started. If you have any money left over after your essential costs, paying off debt can help you save a lot of money.
It’s also a good time to think about merging credit cards to get a reduced annual percentage rate (APR) or researching your financial institution’s loan deferment alternatives.
Preparing your finances for unpredictable times gives you peace of mind and better equips you to meet any challenges that may arise.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that a little planning can go a long way.
3. Have Diversified Investments
I cannot write on how to prepare for a recession without including this.
Have you ever heard the phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? The same reasoning can be applied to your investments.
Having a well-diversified investing portfolio is critical. That means you shouldn’t put all of your money into one stock or one piece of real estate.
You want to make sure your assets are dispersed over a variety of industries and places so that if one suffers a setback, your entire portfolio isn’t ruined.
If you invest in the stock market, for example, you can diversify your portfolio by investing in consumer goods, technology, healthcare, and so on.
Both mutual funds and index funds are excellent diversifiers.
You can also put your money into the stock market (funds and bonds), real estate, or small enterprises.
Whatever you decide to invest in, make sure you do your homework, are clear on your investment goals, and are aware of your risk tolerance.
If a recession occurs, you will experience less anxiety as a result of this.
4. Establish an Emergency Fund
Most of you are undoubtedly aware that you should keep three to six months’ worth of living expenses in your emergency fund.
However, when the economy is doing well, it’s easy to dismiss it as something you’ll get around to later.
However, as news of a recession develops, it’s a good idea to focus on your emergency fund.
Unemployment is on the rise, and you’ll need to be prepared to dig into your cash reserves if you’re laid off for a few months.
Take a look at your income and expenses first. Make a list of your absolute necessities, or fixed prices.
That’s most likely your rent or mortgage payment, as well as your utilities, cell phone, internet, and basic groceries and insurance.
Add up your monthly spending and multiply by three, four, five, or six months, depending on how much cushion you want to provide yourself.
Don’t be alarmed if the amount appears intimidating at first.
Set a target of at least $1,000 in your savings account and start small with a recurring daily, weekly, or monthly payment. When you automate your savings, it will be much easier.
Continue to raise your contribution if you’re able until you’ve saved enough money to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.
What’s a better way on how to prepare for a recession?
5. Create Multiple Revenue Streams
Just like having diversified investments, having multiple streams of income is prudent in case of a recession.
For good reason, the average millionaire has seven streams of income.
Having various sources of income guarantees that you have more money flowing in. It also serves as a safety net in the event that you lose a source of income.
Is there something you’re very enthusiastic about? Is there something you do that you are always praised on?
Consider turning it into a second business to supplement your income. You might also consider a number of recession-proof enterprises/jobs.
6. Hone and Broaden your Skill Set
During a recession, unemployment is on the rise, which might lead to a vicious cycle of businesses laying off people, who then have less money to spend.
However, a growing unemployment rate does not guarantee that all businesses would cease employing or expanding.
Look for possibilities to take on new duties at work now to improve your chances of keeping your existing employment.
This can help you get increases or promotions in an up-trending market, but once things get tougher, it can make you indispensable at work.
Look for ways to diversify your income outside of your full-time employment, such as side hustles you may do from home that allow you to develop new skills and earn more money.
7. Master the Art of Living Within your Means
This is another good example on how to prepare for a recession.
The secret to accumulating wealth is to live within your means.
It also means you won’t have to rely on debt to get by in life—no more paying bills using credit cards.
Do you want to know how to prepare for a recession while staying within your means?
Learn how to budget and which budgeting method is most effective for you.
Your budget will help you keep track of your costs in relation to your income and identify areas where you can save money.
Your ultimate goal should be to make as much of a difference as possible between your income and expenses. This is accomplished by growing your income while decreasing your expenses.
You can put the money you have left over toward items that are important to you, such as your savings and investing goals.
8. Reduce the Risk in your Portfolio
If you have assets in your portfolio, you may want to rebalance it ahead of a prospective recession.
When the stock market suffers, some investments may fluctuate more than others, and you may want to consider cutting your holdings in those equities if terrible economic times are predicted.
Of course, it’s hard to make your investment portfolio completely recession-proof, so you should expect to lose some money during the market upheaval that comes with a recession.
If you want to reduce your risk, you don’t have to sell all of your equities and go completely cash.
It’s possible that doing so all at once is an overreaction, because you never know when a recession will strike. According to Fortune, the stock market does not always predict future recessions correctly.
9. Look for a Job that is Recession-Proof
Consider a recession-proof job as another strategy on how to prepare for a recession.
Even during a recession, teachers, healthcare personnel, and pharmacists are still in high demand.
Expanding your skill set is beneficial to your job stability, especially if you work remotely.
More than ever, companies are shifting to remote roles. Why not establish your own home-based business now that work-from-home employment are on the rise?
You may make a good living doing a variety of different jobs from the comfort of your own home.
10. Keep Things in Perspective
Recessions are one of the many things in life that you have no control over.
You have some control over how to prepare for a recession and how you respond to such an occurrence.
It’s difficult to maintain a calm demeanor when faced with challenges such as job loss and unpaid expenses.
When your stress levels are high, it’s also difficult to think properly, and thinking clearly is an important element of overcoming any financial difficulty.
You’re not alone if you’re having trouble dealing with financial stress. There are, fortunately, ways to deal.
One strategy is to remind yourself that many of the most essential things in life, such as your health and relationships with family and friends, have little to do with money.
Taking the time to nurture and appreciate those things might help put financial difficulties into context.
Now that you have learned how to prepare for a recession, I will now touch on things you should not be doing in the midst of a recession.
What you Shouldn’t Do if you’re in the Middle of a Recession
If a recession occurs, you may not need to make any changes if you have a good emergency fund and an all-weather investing portfolio in place.
That’s the advantage of getting your finances in order before going through a rough patch: You can devote your time and energy to more important aspects of your life, such as supporting loved ones.
Still, if you’re barely scraping by during normal times, don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re still putting money aside for an emergency fund.
Things to avoid during this period include
Taking Large Expenses
When you’re on the verge of losing your job or facing other financial difficulties, it’s a good idea to keep your costs as low as possible.
If your finances are impacted by a recession, adding big monthly responsibilities like a large car payment may make things more difficult.
Read: Are You Addicted to Spending? How to Overcome Compulsive Shopping
Abandoning Investing with Discipline
When it comes to your money, avoid making emotional decisions if the markets become volatile.
If you modify your investment plan and sell out of investments every time the world appears uncertain, you’ll wind up buying high and selling low.
Be aware that market volatility, corrections, and downturns are all regular market occurrences to which you should not respond.
In fact, average investors get themselves into difficulty by responding and tinkering with their investments.
In a Recession, How Can you Make Money?
i). Invest in Real Estate
When the economy is in a slump, housing prices and interest rates tend to fall.
This is a fantastic time to buy real estate, whether it’s for your primary home, a second house, a vacation home, a rental investment, or an Airbnb property.
Read: Real Estate Investing for Beginners
ii). Invest in Stocks
When the stock market falls, most investors panic and sell immediately.
This is the worst thing you could possibly do. Sit tight if you have investments in the market.
If you have money on hand, invest now when stocks are cheap and profit later when the market rises.
iii). During a Recession, Sell Gold
Historically, gold prices have risen during recessions.
Gold has long been seen as a secure investment, and it frequently rises in response to stock market declines.
Consider selling old gold jewelry, gold coins, or other gold things for cash if you no longer want them.
Apart from how to prepare for a recession, you now know even how to act during the recession.
Conclusion on How to Prepare for a Recession
The prospect of a coming recession can make people’s brows furrow and their teeth clench, especially for those who lived through the years of financial recovery following a market crash.
Recessions, while unpleasant, are an unavoidable part of the economic cycle.
By preparing now, you may ensure that you are not only prepared for the next recession, but that you can also take advantage of the current market downturn.
A recession can prove to be a very good thing if you’re prepared with a solid safety net, aren’t in debt, and are ready and willing to ride out investments that have temporarily lost value.
It is impossible to ensure that you are recession-proof.
However, with a little planning and commitment, you can help ensure that your family and assets are as recession-proof as possible, and that you are fully prepared for anything the economy throws at you in the future years.
It’s not fun to tighten your belt, but neither is being unprepared.
Take some time right now to start building your emergency fund, paying down debt, and lowering your other monthly spending.
The good news is that a recession won’t last forever, so focus on the steps that will help you weather the storm and realize that better days are approaching.
I hope you are now privy of how to prepare for a recession.