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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.
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Recessions & your money

Illustration of a person holding a house with a rain cloud over it
How might a recession affect the housing market? Find out what the experts think.
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.
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The once-booming labor market is starting to face some trouble.

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

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Greg McBride

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Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

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Latest articles

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.
Young mother looking for a job using internet
Overpaid in unemployment benefits? Here’s how to resolve the issue efficiently.
Couple sitting on a sofa, looking at a laptop
Mortgage rates have fallen, but the imminent Fed cut could make them even more favorable for refinancers.
inflation and the housing market photo illustration
The housing market isn’t immune from outside economic forces, including inflation.
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 raised interest rates several times. These interest rate changes are likely to affect the rates of personal loans.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange
It isn’t always about two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.
Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett halves Apple stake: What investors can learn from the move.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a post-meeting press conference following the Fed's September interest rate decision
Fed officials stopped short of saying they’re finished raising interest rates.
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CDs and MMAs can pay competitive rates, but they have different drawbacks and benefits.
Cellphone will Chime logo on the screen
Chime is a financial technology company offering checking and savings accounts through partnerships with FDIC-insured banks.
Young man choosing oranges in the supermarket
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
Ghost of Halloween uses a laptop to surf the Internet
Don’t let the fear of saving leave you in the dark. Avoid these 10 savings mistakes.
A piggybank floating on a liferaft
Sixty percent of households feel behind on their emergency savings in 2023.
Couple sitting on a sofa, looking at a laptop
Mortgage rates have fallen, but the imminent Fed cut could make them even more favorable for refinancers.
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 raised interest rates several times. These interest rate changes are likely to affect the rates of personal loans.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange
It isn’t always about two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.
Federal Reserve Chair Powell at a podium
As the job market weakens, some economists say the Fed should’ve cut rates already.
If you’re looking at HE loans or have a variable-rate line of credit, pay attention to the Fed.
The Federal Reserve’s decisions have ripple effects, including for mortgages.
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Subprime borrowers are particularly affected by interest rate changes. Here’s how to prepare.
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