9 Things You Must Do Before the Next Recession

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.

In other words, don’t just wait for the inevitable. Plan for it. Use these tactics to position yourself for a downturn.

9 Steps to Protect Your Money Before the Next Recession

1. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Gold has long been a reliable way to protect your wealth from inflation, market crashes, and economic uncertainty. With a Gold IRA from Anthem Gold Group, you can roll over your existing IRA or 401(k) into physical gold — giving you tax-advantaged, tangible security outside of Wall Street.

Anthem Gold Group specializes in helping retirement-focused investors safeguard their savings with real precious metals. Their experts walk you through every step, with zero-pressure guidance and fast account setup.

Request your free gold kit and get started →

2. Free professional help

There’s a saying on Wall Street: Rising tides float all boats. It’s referring to the fact that managing your savings in rising markets is easy, since everything goes up when times are good.

But what about when the tide turns? That’s when you could use a second set of expert eyes. If you’ve ever considered talking to a professional financial advisor, the time is now. Most advisors offer free initial appointments, and offer you valuable advice and tips.

There’s a reason the rich often work with professional advisors: It helps them get richer.

A Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a financial advisor. That’s twice as much!

If you’ve got at least $100,000 in investments, check out a free service called SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and instantly get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors in your area, all legally bound to work in your best interests.

Even if you don’t want help picking investments, an advisor can help lower your taxes, create a financial plan, maximize your Social Security, help with estate planning and make sure you’re on the right track. They can also be there in case one day, you’re not.

Using SmartAsset only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation.

Nothing to lose and lots to potentially gain. Take a minute and check it out right now!

Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”

3. Don’t pay to fix your car

The last thing you need when the economy tanks is to be faced with a huge, unexpected car repair bill.

One shop told Consumer Reports that a decade ago, their average repair was $1,600. These days, the average bill is $4,000. Ouch.

Typically, a vehicle manufacturer warranty lasts three years. Yet the average car is around 12 years old. If you’re concerned about coming up with thousands of dollars for a repair bill, protect your investment with Endurance Warranty Services.

The company provides extended warranty plans of up to 36 months. Choose from at least six different plans, to get only the coverage you actually need, for cars up to 20 years old.

All their warranties include 24/7 roadside assistance plus rental car benefits while your vehicle is being repaired. For the first year, you’ll get the Elite Benefits program for free; this includes complete tire coverage, key fob replacement, a collision discount and a $1,000 payment if your car is determined to be a total loss.

Endurance has a network of thousands of ASE-certified repair shops. More important: Endurance pays the repair bill upfront. All you need to cover is the deductible.

ConsumerAffairs calls Endurance “a solid choice” for drivers of any age, and “particularly appealing” for those with older vehicles.

Take a minute and get a quote.

4. Stop throwing away money on car insurance

One of the best ways to boost your emergency savings is to cut expenses. And one of the biggest expenses you face is car insurance.

How would you feel if you found out you’re throwing away $600 annually just to pad some insurance company’s bottom line?

It’s very possible. But there’s only one way to know for sure.

Take a minute and use this new insurance shopping tool from FinanceBuzz. It can tell if you’re overpaying for your car insurance with just a few clicks.

Savings will vary by driving history and how many discounts you’re eligible for, but don’t be surprised if you can find the same coverage for hundreds less. And if not? You’ll get peace of mind by knowing you’re already getting the best possible deal.

To find out if you’re losing up to $600 or more a year, just click this link, answer a few questions, enter your ZIP, email, and phone, and within two minutes you’ll see if you qualify for a lower rate.

See if you're overpaying.

5. Get a $300 bonus from this high-yield savings account

If you’re banking at a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, you’re getting ripped off. They’re charging you for 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 currently earn a whopping 3.8% annual percentage rate. That’s eight times the national average.

Better yet, they pay you a cash bonus just for signing up!

Direct-deposit $5,000 or more within the first 25 days, you'll get a $300 bonus. Direct-deposit $1,000 to $5,000, you’ll get a $50 bonus.

Other cool features:

• Get paid up to two days early
• No overdraft fees or monthly fees
• Free use 55,000 ATMs nationwide
• Free paper checks, if you want them
• Deposits insured up to $2 million
• Earn up to 15% cash back using your debit card

Banking has changed. Time for you to change with it.

Check out SoFi right now.

6. Cash in on your home’s value

With today’s soaring real estate prices, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could serve as the ultimate emergency savings account.

And if an emergency doesn’t arrive, use your line of credit to finance those renovations you’ve longed for. Upgrade your outdated kitchen, build your dream master suite, or finally add that home office. But the flexibility doesn’t stop there – use your HELOC funds for other goals like consolidating debt, paying for education, taking a dream vacation and more.

The best part? HELOCs typically offer lower interest rates than credit cards or personal loans since they’re secured by your home. That means big savings while you build lasting value.

But don’t overpay. The way to find the best deal is to shop around. Use a comparison site like Money.com's home equity loan table to easily compare HELOC rates from multiple lenders and find the most affordable option. With just a few clicks, you could be on your way to an envy-worthy dream home or funding anything else on your list!

Check out the Money.com home equity loan table here.

7. Get your debt under control

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 rough times are coming, you don’t want to face them with a mountain of debt.

If you have over $10,000 of debt, National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the U.S.

They’ve helped more than 500,000 people, are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and also are top-rated by Top Consumer Reviews, Top Ten Reviews, ConsumersAdvocate.org and ConsumerAffairs.

You simply fill out a form on the company website, then a certified debt specialist will call you to learn more about your situation. If they can help you, they’ll set you up with an affordable plan that works for you — and give you an estimate of when you can expect to be debt-free. There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.

National Debt Relief can help you with almost any unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, repossessions … even some student loan debt. Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life?

Don’t wait another minute. Check them out right now.

8. Stop paying the premium and start getting the deal

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. Click here and check it out.

9. Stockpile cash – up to $1,000 per month

Lots of companies let you earn money by filling out surveys, completing tasks, signing up for stuff, or playing games.

But FreeCash is in a league of its own.

Freecash boasts the fastest payouts (we’re talking instant!), with minimum withdrawals as low as $5. Plus, you can cash out with PayPal, crypto, gift cards – the choice is yours. FreeCash users have already earned more than $150,000,000!

So try FreeCash. It’s the fast, fun way to earn real cash. Don’t waste another minute – Freecash is waiting!