How to Protect Yourself in a Recession

Consumers react to a recession in different ways depending on their level of job security. Established professionals in growth industries can afford to use credit cards for consumable items. A majority of workers need to use credit cards and liquid reserves to pay monthly bills. A plan to protect yourself in a recession should be drawn up with the first signs of economic problems.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Shift your stock portfolio to treasury bonds with success over the long term to protect yourself during a recession. The U.S. Department of Treasury offers bonds that parallel the gradual growth of the national economy. These make for a safe investment.
2. Access your network of professional and personal contacts to protect yourself during a recession. These contacts can provide information on job openings, project work and trends within your industry that are unavailable elsewhere.
3. Pay down your personal debt as a method of protection against a recession. Shift money from your savings to pay down as much debt as possible to ease financial problems while money is tight.
4. Diminish your tax liability during a recession by finding legitimate tax breaks for your business. Self-employed workers can consult websites like SmartMoney to get updates on tax breaks on new vehicles, office equipment and employees that can save thousands of dollars.
5. Buy stocks with a good track record that are sinking prior to a recession to protect your portfolio. Consult tracking sites like Bargain Investor to find inexpensive stocks in burgeoning industries that will rebound with economic growth.
6. Ask your employer to offer flexible scheduling and telecommuting as options for workers during a recession. The savings in fuel costs alone will add funds to your household budget that can protect you during a recession.
7. Highlight your importance in the workplace on a daily basis to protect your job during a recession. You can volunteer to head up projects and perform other tasks in the workplace to show your versatility in case of personnel cuts during economic downturns.
8. Research freelance work in your industry that can help your family stay protected from economic problems. Writers, graphic designers, engineers and other professionals can offer consulting services on the side to supplement their salary.

Tips & Warnings

• Continue your professional education to diminish problems in a recession. The easiest way to increase education on speaking, technical and organizational skills is corporate development opportunities at work. Mix in vocational courses at a local college to diversify your resume in case a recession hits.
• Prevent economic problems in the future by keeping your health savings accounts and pensions intact during a recession. It is unwise to drain these accounts with hardship loans for short-term fluidity without thinking ahead to looming economic booms.