Skip to Main Content

Recession watch

Will the U.S. economy soon be in a recession? It's the trillion-dollar question that even experts don't know the answer to. Here's how to prepare for a potential downturn, and how one could impact you.

Insights from our expert analysts

“Economic uncertainty is a time for reducing debt and boosting savings, not the other way around.”

– Greg McBride, CFA

Do's and don'ts of saving during a recession

To help you navigate saving during a recession, we asked a number of experts what some of the most helpful things to do are, as well as some things you should try to avoid at all costs.
Learn more

Recessions & your money

Illustration of a person holding a house with a rain cloud over it
How might a recession affect the housing market?
A middle-aged couple looks out to the beach from their van
Here are some tips to help make sure your retirement savings are protected in the event of a recession.
Illustration of worker with a brief case
The once-booming labor market is starting to face some trouble.

Experts in all things finance

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

About Bankrate
Greg McBride

Greg McBride, CFA Arrow Right Icon

Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster Arrow Right Icon

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

Mark Hamrick Arrow Right Icon

Senior Economic Analyst

Calculate your savings

Use our Savings Calculator to help you quickly and accurately estimate the growth of your investment. Set a goal and figure out how much you need to save each month to hit the mark.

Latest articles

American consumers with big shopping bags
Bankrate’s latest Economic Indicator survey finds economists are revisiting Fed policy predictions.
Man paying with credit card
With the best job market in decades, the Fed is wondering why there isn’t more inflation.
Jerome Powell at press conference
The Fed continues to delay any interest rate moves amid persistently low inflation.
Federal Reserve chair
The Fed will most likely hold interest rates steady, but here’s how it could still impact your wallet.
Woman leading a presentation
Planning the right moves now can help you later when times get tough.
Jerome Powell Fed FOMC Decision Day
The Fed voted to leave interest rates alone for the second-straight meeting.
Homes in Chicago neighborhood
Two-thirds of economists surveyed say the U.S. central bank will increase borrowing costs again in 2019.
Wall Street in New York City
Experts are betting that a recession will occur by the end of 2021, a new survey suggests.
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
A focused mature male freelancer sitting at the wooden table at home and reading online projects on a laptop.
These certificates of deposit (CDs) have no minimum deposit.
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
Woman watering plants.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
A shopping card turned upside-down
Deinfluencing is all the rage. Why not influence your finances, too?
Woman accessing her checking account at home on a laptop
Not paying fees and an easy way to bank should all be priorities. Here are some of our favorites.
Jerome Powell speaking. A now hiring banner in the background.
Behind the slowing economy is a Fed determined to defeat red-hot inflation.
A woman reading the label on a food item while out shopping for groceries in her local supermarket.
Here’s how to save money on groceries, utilities and other everyday purchases.
Residential area with architectural homes on Main Street
And if so, how low can they go?
Illustration of a person holding a house with a rain cloud over it
How might a recession affect the housing market?
Woman reaching in to the air for cash
Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
Outside of the Federal Reserve building
The Federal Reserve just lowered interest rates for the first time in four years.
Picture of the front of the Federal Reserve building
A look at what a bank bailout is with some examples of notable bank bailouts from the past.
Man working on laptop and cellphone simultaneously
If you’ve been thinking of getting a longer-term CD, you may want to make a move.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference
Fed officials are trying to prevent an economic slowdown from getting worse.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Tune in to Bankrate’s live coverage of the Fed’s first rate cut since 2020.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc