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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?
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.

Experts in all things finance

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

Fed Chair Powell Holds News Conference Following FOMC Rate Decision
This Fed communication tool is important, but be cautious when interpreting it.
Design element of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
The Fed is expected to cut interest rates a third time. Here’s what to watch.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Fed officials are still widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time.
Photo of a family sitting on a couch, the mom lifting a baby
Even with a pay raise, homeownership has moved further out of reach for younger generations.
Fed chair Jerome Powell makes a speech
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second consecutive meeting but this time by a smaller quarter of a percentage point.
President-elect Donald Trump points out to an audience
Many investors expect that the government will maintain high deficit spending.
Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States
Follow along as Bankrate’s experts break down the Fed’s next interest rate decision.
A voter casts his ballot.
Here’s a look at what a number of popular banks are doing.
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Here’s what you need to know about how money orders work.
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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 [...]
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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, [...]
Woman and man standing back to back, spare coins on the side of the woman and large value bills on the side of the man
The gender pay gap impacts all women, but not in the same way.
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.
Man using laptop in kitchen
Callable CDs can offer a higher yield than traditional CDs, but there’s a catch.
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.
Residential area with architectural homes on Main Street
And if so, how low can they go?
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Learn about five ways in which you can break out of the credit card debt cycle.
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