As we’ve reported, both Wall Street and Main Street are bracing for an economic downturn. Tough times could be coming: It’s time to prepare.
Do what you can now to position yourself to ride out a downturn, rather than being caught flat-footed when it hits.
In other words, don’t just wait for the inevitable. Plan for it. Use these tactics to position yourself for a downturn.
Not all of these ideas will work for you, but some will, so be sure to read them all.
Also, if you’re wondering if you’ll have enough to retire, be sure to sign up for our money advice newsletter!
1. Don’t let a $4,000 repair bill burn you
Unexpected financial shocks are a leading cause of stress in retirement. With repair costs rising, one transmission failure could wipe out months of hard-earned savings.Stop gambling with your financial future.
Endurance pays the mechanic directly, so your retirement funds stay where they belong—in your account.
They cover vehicles up to 20 years old. Includes 24/7 roadside assistance and rental benefits.
Protect My Retirement Savings Now.
2. Earn up to a $400 bonus and grow your money
Another example of getting an edge: getting paid simply for opening a better bank account.
If you’re banking at a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, you’re getting ripped off. They’re charging you monthly for a checking account and paying a pittance on your savings.
Better idea? SoFi. They offer a combination checking-and-savings account, and if you set up direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY on your savings — with new members eligible for a limited-time APY boost. (Can change without notice.) That’s many times the national average.
Direct-deposit $5,000 or more within the first 25 days, and you'll get a $400 bonus.
Direct-deposit $1,000 to $5,000, you’ll get a $50 bonus.
That’s free money.
Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account between 10/20/26 and 12/31/27, then within 60 days of account opening receive an eligible direct deposit OR $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits. You must maintain eligible direct deposit or $5,000 in qualifying deposits every 31 days to keep the Boost, for up to 6 months. Rates variable, subject to change.
Terms apply at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
3. Stop paying interest on your cards
While it’s true lots of credit cards do have ridiculously high rates, that’s not always true.
If you have outstanding credit card debt, getting a new 0% intro APR credit card could help ease the pressure while you pay down your balances.
Our credit card experts identified top credit cards that are perfect for anyone looking to pay down debt and not add to it!
Click through to see what all the hype is about.
4. Stop overpaying for insurance
How would you feel if you found out you’re throwing away $1,200 annually just to pad some insurance company’s bottom line?
It’s very possible. But there’s only one way to know for sure.
This new car insurance shopping tool can tell if you’re overpaying for your car insurance with just a few clicks.
This new home insurance comparison tool exposes what home insurers don’t want you to see: identical coverage for hundreds less.
Take 3 minutes right now, click those links and see if you can save serious money: that’s what I did.
But don’t forget the cardinal rule: When you find ways to spend less on major expenses, don’t blow that extra money: Put it toward your mortgage, or invest it.
5. Earn $1,370 a month while you’re watching TV
Lots of companies let you earn money for testing apps, playing games and taking surveys. But FreeCash is in a league of its own.
They list thousands of offers from companies with most taking only around 5-10 minutes to complete. Ready to swap a little spare time for extra money?
Turn your spare time into cash, sign up now and get $5 just for starting your first offer! Take a sec and check it out!
6. Stop drowning in credit card debt
Worrying about debt is probably the worst way you can spend your time, and paying interest and late fees is the worst way you can spend your money.
If you’ve got a problem, the sooner you deal with it, the better.
If you have over $10,000 in debt, National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the U.S.
There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.
Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life?
7. Save as Much as 80% on Weight Loss Meds
I thought GLP-1s were out of my financial reach, but then I found a smarter way.
Found is an industry-leading telehealth platform that makes weight loss medication affordable — with or without insurance. If you have coverage, their simple eligibility checker helps you unlock prices as low as $3 a day. No insurance? No problem. You still get access to compounded GLP-1s starting at just $149 a month.
A board-certified clinician will personalize your prescription, whether you want an injection or a daily pill.
Check your eligibility in 3 minutes.
Plus, you will get $100 off your first month. Fast, discreet delivery brings expert care right to your door.
8. Use this secret source for discounts
Are you over 18? Then you’re eligible to save hundreds of dollars every year simply by joining AARP.
“What?” You say, “I thought AARP was for retired people.”
As it turns out, you don’t have to be 50 or older to join AARP. And members get discounts on hundreds of things, like:
- Up to $200 per person off flights
- Up to 30% off rental cars
- Up to 15% off restaurants
- Up to 20% off hotels
You’ll also save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, meal deliveries and lots more. And that’s not all. AARP offers a Fraud Watch Network, job listings, retirement planning tools, games, and tons of information, programs and resources.
Anyone trying to save money can’t afford not to join AARP, especially since the cost is as low as $15 per year with auto-renewal. You’ll likely recoup the cost in the first week.
9. For just $2/day – homeowners can keep their retirement money safe
Your fridge dies. Dishwasher breaks. Washer floods. AC won’t start. When the items you rely on daily breakdown, are you ready to cover the cost?
Don’t let unexpected repairs put your retirement savings at risk. Millions of homeowners rely on Choice Home Warranty to protect their appliances, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems and if the broken-down item can’t be fixed by one of their technicians, the item will be replaced!
TV’s Ty Pennington, designer and host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Trading Spaces, trusts Choice Home Warranty. “There’s Nobody Better Than Choice,” he says and “thousands of homeowners agree.” Learn more on why Ty Pennington is a big advocate for Choice Home Warranty and how it can help you prepare for the unexpected in-home repairs.
Protect your home and savings for just $2/day—get a free quote today.
10. Work with a pro and double your retirement
A Vanguard study proves it: $500,000 invested over 25 years grows to $1.7 million solo, but $3.4 million with an advisor. That’s $1.7 million left on the table—and every day you wait, the gap gets worse.
SmartAsset takes 2 minutes: answer a few questions, get matched with experienced professionals with proven track records, receive personalized advice immediately.
If you have $100,000+ invested, you’re already losing serious money. The consultation is free, no obligation, no hidden fees. Even one meeting could change your retirement trajectory.
Stop the Bleeding—Get Your Free Match Now (2 Minutes).
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
11. Diversify your savings with Gold
One of the best ways to protect your savings is having money in different types of investments: ideally, ones that can go up when others are going down. For example, stocks tend to do poorly when inflation and interest rates are rising and there’s political turmoil brewing.
One investment that thrives in this scenario: gold.
It’s important you deal with a trusted gold dealer with a long proven track record of assisting clients.
Anthem Gold Group is committed to helping investors protect their wealth and retirement with physical precious metals. They offer gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins and bars delivered directly to your home. Plus, enjoy up to $25,000 in complimentary gold and silver, along with waived IRA storage fees for up to 10 years!
Even Brian Kilmeade from Fox News trusts Anthem Gold to protect your cash and retirement accounts with physical gold and silver. Anthem Gold’s minimum to get started is $10,000.
Gold has been hitting record highs. Why not take a look right now?
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