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

A person researches on a laptop.
Learn when a CD is worth it, when it is not, and alternatives to consider in 2025.
Home equity lines of credit are growing in size and volume.
A picture of various cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are managed through what’s called a distributed ledger such as blockchain.
Serious businesswoman reading business report on her tablet while standing in a living room.
Before you toss your year-end credit card summary, take a closer look for valuable insights into your finances.
Traders work on the floor of NYSE
With the Fed holding steady on rates for now, is it still a good time to buy stocks?
Homes in Charleston
Understanding mortgage rate movements could save you money.
Residential area with architectural homes on Main Street
And if so, how low can they go?
couple working on home finances
Learn about five ways in which you can break out of the credit card debt cycle.
Illustration of a US Federal Reserve ink stamp
Every financial decision you make is impacted by the Federal Reserve.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Tariffs risk fueling more inflation — and weighing on economic growth.
Closeup of someone counting money
The National Credit Union Administration is similar to the FDIC, which covers banks.
Man filling out money order
Here’s what you need to know about how money orders work.
Woman sitting on her couch, looking at her laptop
There are a handful of numbers you should track for your financial health and well-being. A few you might already know about – your credit score and your net worth, for example. But you should also know [...]
Two happy people looking at sheets of paper
As the old saying goes: What goes up, must come down. But in the case of annual percentage yields (APYs), we might have a bit more air time. While APYs on deposit accounts may have come down from their [...]
Woman walking up to an ATM
Some knowledge and planning can help you avoid paying fees for out-of-network ATMs.
Check remote deposit capture at coffee shop
Electronic checks (eChecks) offer a digital alternative to traditional paper checks, allowing you to make payments directly from your checking account online. Learn how eChecks work, when to use them, [...]
Illustration of a US Federal Reserve ink stamp
Every financial decision you make is impacted by the Federal Reserve.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Tariffs risk fueling more inflation — and weighing on economic growth.
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.
A person researches on a laptop.
Learn when a CD is worth it, when it is not, and alternatives to consider in 2025.
Home equity lines of credit are growing in size and volume.
A picture of various cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are managed through what’s called a distributed ledger such as blockchain.
Traders work on the floor of NYSE
With the Fed holding steady on rates for now, is it still a good time to buy stocks?
Homes in Charleston
Understanding mortgage rate movements could save you money.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc